Project Manager

Job content

We are Smart DCC
Together we’re building a greener tomorrow

Connecting every home and business to a single, secure smart meter network is a huge undertaking. So you can imagine the scale – and variety – and opportunities for the people who’ll help us do it.

The role

**INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY - Closing date Friday 3rd May 4pm.**

PROJECT MANAGER

PERMANENT ROLE WITH SMART DCC

Based in London or Manchester

Competitive Salary plus benefits

Role

The Programme & Project Management (PPM) Practice sits within the Service Delivery function which is responsible for managing DCC’s end-to-end delivery through a structured governance process, on time, within budget and to the required standards for successful in-life operations.

The Service Delivery function encompasses the professional practices of Business Analysis, Testing and PPM and works closely with the professional practices based in other DCC functions such as Operations, Security and Architecture. Programme delivery is underpinned by a Programme Management Office, which provides independent delivery assurance to each change programme, and a Portfolio Office which provides governance and insight to support planning and resourcing decisions across the change portfolio.

The PPM Practice provides professional delivery services to DCC’s portfolio of delivery programmes via an internal matrix managed consultancy model. Our project managers are accountable for delivery of change projects using best practice project management principles, methods and tools and working to quality assured standards to support a flexible delivery portfolio.

The role will require extensive interaction with programme directors, programme managers, internal business owners (including members of the DCC Executive Committee) and external stakeholders including representatives from government & regulatory bodies.

What will you be doing?

Business Case Development: Project Managers will support the development of business cases, with accountability for providing:

high level project delivery strategy, outline delivery plan (with associated work breakdown structure and identification of critical path); indicative resource plan

risk & issues management and quality assurance approach stakeholder engagement strategy; and for identifying known risks and mitigating strategy.

Project Delivery: Project Managers are accountable for all aspects of project delivery, which may or may not be within the context of a wider delivery programme including:

Delivery Approach: Develop delivery options with input from relevant stakeholders and analyse the options to ascertain the degree to which they meet strategic objectives, are financially viable and degree to which they are feasible. Present a recommended set of short-listed and preferred options (with rationale) to senior stakeholders via the DCC’s governance process.

Project Planning: develop and maintain a detailed, credible project plan clearly identifying activities and resources required to deliver project objectives with critical path and dependencies. The project plan must comply with DCC’s programme and project management framework and wider governance structure and processes.

Activity Management: scheduling and allocation of work activities on a day-to-day basis, identifying plan over-runs, understanding the impact, managing the development of solutions to get the project back on track and escalating accordingly.

Resource Management: Provide leadership to project resources, ensuring roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, analysing resource constraints, and working with function leads to resolve issues (including performance/capability issues). Regularly assess resource utilisation against the resource schedule and identify variances that require action.

Resource Induction: Induct resources into the project team, ensuring induction material is produced, delivery objectives are created for all project team members and information and support is provided to enable resources to perform effectively.

Change Control: Use DCC change control protocols, systems, and documentation to evaluate the impact of changes to project scope, facilitating decision making at Steering Committees.

Risk & Issue Management: Develop risk and issue registers and undertake a thorough impact analysis of all risks and issues using appropriate techniques. Regularly review and update the register, making reasoned decisions to mitigate risks and ensure all response actions are tracked and completed on time. Lead risk & issue review sessions.

Transition to Deployment: Identify the full range of participants and stakeholders involved in the transition process. Develop and manage a plan for the timely involvement of the DCC Operations function to ensure a smooth and successful handover. Develop solutions to support the transition/service acceptance process.

Commercial Management: Understand the contractual obligations of all suppliers providing external services to the project. Monitor the performance of suppliers in meeting their programme delivery obligations. Take prompt action to resolve any problems, escalating as appropriate and supporting negotiation of contract variances. Create Purchase Orders, Change Requests and approve invoices for payment via the DCC goods receipting process.

Financial Management: Manage project expenditure, utilising management information to track performance and revise costs, creating and presenting funding/resourcing requests where necessary. Highlight to the appropriate governance board the current and forecast position of programme expenditure.

Quality Assurance: Agree quality indicators for programme outputs by reference to the business case and through negotiation with stakeholders. Establish, plans and manage reviews at appropriate points during the programme lifecycle to provide evaluations of progress against defined criteria. Prepare for gate approvals through documentation and thorough stakeholder engagement including confidently presenting at DCC governance boards.

Compliance: Understand and comply with DCC’s CDM process, licence, and regulatory procedures. Ensure all delivery team members understand their obligations.

Stakeholder Engagement: Project Managers are accountable for:
Producing relevant, concise, accurate reports for governance boards and Executive level stakeholders, ensuring the information is tailored appropriately for the recipient and enabling management of delivery, financial and reputational risks.

Demonstrating appropriate tact when communicating with external stakeholders, using appropriate lines of communication to diffuse or prevent any issues arising.

Leading workshops with external stakeholders, to gain agreement to project scope and requirements.

Representing DCC at external forums, presenting project updates and progress.

Deputise for Programme Managers: as and when needed on project specific matters, including at forums with external stakeholders.

Support development of the PPM Practice: provide support to practice transformation initiatives as and when required.

Behavioural Competencies

• Demonstrates effective problem resolution:

Addresses project problems and issues promptly and calmly

Analyses problems to identify possible solutions before implementing the best option and monitoring the outcome.

Takes a determined and systematic approach to find both causes and potential solutions for project problems.

Uses insight to anticipate problems and threats - preparing contingencies, suggesting alternative strategies and showing determination to navigate obstacles appropriately.

Demonstrates a “can do” attitude and focuses energy and commitment on achieving results that are critical to DCC’s success.

Works energetically and constructively in a high-pressure environment

Confidently undertakes a key a role in governance activities, facilitating progress and making key decisions within delegated authority.

Makes unpopular decisions that are in the best interests of the programme and its stakeholders.

Sustains successful performance and positive well-being in the face of adverse conditions and recovers from/adjust easily to setbacks or change.

Creates, leads and develops project teams effectively.

Takes accountability for delivery of the project teams results.

Identifies ways in which the project team can work more effectively together in pursuit of common goals and demonstrates an appreciation of the different strengths of team members.

Ensure roles and accountabilities are defined and agreed between team members.

Understand team dynamics and their effect on team performance.

Identifies opportunities for team members to develop their skills and confidence and to excel.

Encourages people to come up with answers for themselves, by using a mix of open questions and constructive feedback.

Cultivates supplier relationships built on trust and confidence at all levels in supplier organisations.

Brings external best practice and learning into DCC and exploits it.

Demonstrates by their own example the positive impact good project management disciplines have on the delivery of project plans.

Demonstrating DCC Values:
Understands and complies with DCC values, acting as role model to the project team.

What are we looking for?

• An experienced project manager who can demonstrate credibility and the ability to influence at a high level within their current or previous role(s).
• The candidate will have managed significant £ multi-million projects with multiple stakeholders/customers (internal and external) and multiple 3rd suppliers, be used to interacting at Executive level and be passionate about best practice project management disciplines,
• Demonstrable experience in leading complex business transformation projects, 3rd party technology delivery/integration projects, or procurement projects.
• Demonstrable experience of building high performing project delivery teams and managing others to consistently deliver high a quality project management service.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) with the ability to gain credibility with Executive level stakeholders.
• Ability to use Microsoft Project to an advanced level.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience working in a highly regulated environment.
• Experience of the energy sector
• Experience of Agile delivery

Essential Qualifications

• Prince 2 Project Management, APM Practitioner or equivalent

About the DCC:
At the DCC, we believe in making Britain more connected, so we can all lead smarter, greener lives. That desire to make a difference is what drives us every day and it wouldn’t be possible without our people. Each person at the DCC brings a special kind of power to the business, and if you join us, we’ll give you the means to unleash yours. Here, we depend on each other and hold each other accountable. You have the power to challenge and make change, to take the initiative and enjoy real responsibility. Whether it’s doing purposeful work, helping us grow or building the career you want – we’ll give you the support to do it all. Our secure network for smart meters is transforming Britain’s energy system and helping the country’s fight against climate change: we want you to be part of our journey.

Company benefits:
The DCC’s continued success depends on our people. It’s important to us that you enjoy coming to work, and feel healthy, happy and rewarded. In this role, you’ll have access to a range of benefits which you can choose from to create a personalized plan unique to your lifestyle.

If there are any questions you’d like to ask before ing, please contact Stephanie.Owen@peregrineresourcing.comcomplete your application, so we can learn more about you. Your application will be carefully considered, and you’ll hear from us regarding its progress.

Join the DCC and discover the power of you.

What to do now

Choose ‘ now’ to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you. If you have any questions you’d like to ask before ing, please contact Stephanie.Owen@peregrineresourcing.com

Capita Opportunity Statement

The parent company, Capita Plc*, are a leading UK provider of technology enabled business services. We’re supporting and improving the lives of millions of people every day and we can only do this with the right people in place, working towards a shared goal. We encourage an open, honest working environment where everyone can be true to themselves, and people are valued for their differences. We’re always challenging each other to learn and improve, because we know when we work together, we can deliver better outcomes. We work across such a huge range of businesses and sectors, that you’ll have the opportunity to grow and develop your career in any number of directions. You’ll also become part of a network of 63,000 experienced, innovative, and dedicated individuals across multiple disciplines and sectors. There are countless opportunities to learn new skills and develop in your career, and we’ll provide the support you need to do deliver. Our purpose is to create a better outcome for you.

Smart together
Our values and behaviours
Make a difference

We believe in our purpose. Together, we work as one team, always looking for ways to improve and support DCC’s role in a low-carbon future.

Act with integrity

We treat everyone with kindness, consideration and respect. We keep our promises to our customers. And if something doesn’t feel right, we speak up.

Be accountable

You can depend on our word. We’re clear about our roles and we take the initiative, while respecting the processes we have in place.

Rewards & Benefits
Get perks that work
Personal Development

Our training and development opportunities help you be your best self – from regular 1-2-1s all the way up to professional qualifications.

Group income protection

Provides a continuous income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury for more than 26 weeks.

Pension Plans

Our Capita Choice partners will match the salary contributions you make to your pension up to 5%, depending on your plan and time with us.

Flexible Holidays

Need more time off? Increase your standard 25 days of leave by buying extra to rest, spend time with family or satisfy your wanderlust.

Cycle to Work Scheme

We’re big on keeping things green. If you want to cycle to work, we’ll loan you the gear through salary sacrifice to make it tax-efficient.

Flexible working

As we all transition to a new normal, we can help you find the hybrid working pattern that suits you and your team best.

Additional Benefits
Add more to your core
Unmind
Travel season ticket loan
Bonus
Medical cash plans
Life cover
Charity days
Childcare vouchers
Health screening
RAC discount
Vision Express discounts
Mobile phone discounts
Discounted gym membership
Retail and leisure discounts