Head of Cost

Location

Westminster, Greater London | United Kingdom

Job description

House of Commons

The House of Commons is a unique and exciting place to work right at the heart of the UK's thriving democratic system. 

Behind the scenes, the House of Commons Service is made up of more than 3,000 employees who support and facilitate the smooth day to day running of the House. They provide professional services to Members of Parliament, their staff, and the wider parliamentary community.

Staff Benefits

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including:

• 30 days' annual leave (increasing to 35 days after first full leave year).
• Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%.
• Access to training and development.
• Flexible working.
• Interest free season ticket loan and bicycle loan.

Introduction

The Project Delivery Team, within the Strategic Estates Directorate in Parliament takes great pride in looking after and improving the buildings of Parliament itself, as custodians of the Estate. Our aim is to provide the right environments for building users whilst restoring and protecting our heritage buildings. While we are part of the House of Commons service, we provide services to the House of Lords as well.

The Project Delivery Team is accountable for the delivery of all the current major projects across the Parliamentary Estate, having recently undergone a reorganisation the team will focus on a portfolio management approach, alongside an enhanced focus on construction quality, cost scrutiny and consistency of approach whilst strengthening opportunities for professional development and career progression across the team.

The Role

The role reports to the Head of Programme Delivery. The candidate must be able to manage senior stakeholders with competing needs and priorities and a strong leader with excellent people skills.

This is a new role and, as such, there will be an initial need to spend time setting the objectives and overall focus for the team reporting to this post. The Head of Cost will be responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the contract management and cost functions for Project Delivery. They will also be responsible for engaging within the Estate's matrix style organisation; working effectively with project teams, Project and Portfolio Directors, SE PMO and Procurement teams, to ensure full support throughout all phases of procurement and delivery, to achieve the best cost outcomes for our projects.

Some of the responsibilities for this role include:

• Leading a team of professional quantity surveyors to achieve better value through enhanced contract management and cost planning.
• Supporting a 'cross project' approach to benchmarking and standardisation to improve forecasting and understanding of risk.
• Expanding on current contractor engagements to ensure continued proactive and timely monitoring of change.

Skills and Experience

To be successful in this role you will demonstrate:

• MRICS Qualification.
• Evidence of strong cost management gained through supporting large scale, complex projects or programmes, managing budgets and risk with project experience spanning early feasibility through to handover. Knowledge and use of QRSA would be an advantage.
• Excellent people management, with experience of establishing high performing teams through developing ability and creating an inclusive and collaborative culture which values diversity and encourages openness, approachability and sensitivity.
• Demonstrable experience of monitoring performance, addressing poor performance and ensuring achievement of project objectives and outcomes within a complex client environment.
• The ability to evaluate data from various sources to make well considered and often difficult decisions and presenting reasonable conclusions to inform and/or influence senior Stakeholders.
• Experience of developing and creating systems and processes that are proven to enhance performance either from a quality, time or cost perspective.

Next Steps and Additional Information

• CV & Supporting Statement - If you would like to apply for this role, please submit your CV and covering letter with a 500 word limit.

More information on the role and the full criteria can be found in the Job Description.

Please note that most job offers will be made at the minimum of the salary range, other than in exceptional circumstances.

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Job tags

Salary

£68.9k - £81.88k per annum