Change Agents UK

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Programme Manager to join a growing organisation.

We're looking for an experienced manager with a proven track record of leading and implementing projects, implementing strategy and driving delivery. You will have experience managing and motivating a team. You will understand how government works and have experience in establishing credibility and trust with key stakeholders, to build and extend influential networks.

Senior Programme Manager

Job Title: Senior Programme Manager

Reporting to: Assistant Director Programmes

Location: Central London, Monument

Contract type: Fixed Term Contract – 12 months

Job description reviewed: August 2020

Organisation

Salix Finance is currently an independent not for profit company established to accelerate public sector investment in energy efficiency technologies. Salix is publicly funded by the government departments BEIS, DfE, and the Welsh and Scottish Governments. Salix works with public sector bodies throughout the UK, helping them make progress towards achieving their carbon reduction target. The existing client base includes Local Authorities, NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts, Higher and Further Education institutions, Schools and Academies, Central Government and Emergency Services.

Since 2004, Salix has worked with over 2,300, clients and more than 17,000 individual projects and is estimated to save the public sector over £2.5 billion of lifetime savings. The Salix office is based near Monument Tube station. Currently there are over 50 staff working for Salix, and the company is growing. Salix have been awarded Investors In People Gold accreditation, and has recently been awarded Sunday Times 100 Best Not-for-Profit Organisations to Work For in 2020.

Job Purpose

As a Senior Programme Manager, you will manage a team of 3-4 Programme Managers overseeing the strategy and delivery plans for the teams. You will be responsible for managing multiple Loan and Grant Projects across the various teams and strategically developing the future pipeline of projects across funding programmes.

You and your team will engage directly with the client base to help build pipeline and influence client plans. On a regular basis you will prepare performance reviews for the Chief Executive, Director of Programmes & Technical Services, Director of Finance & Resources and the Board of Salix.

Salix is going through a period of significant financial growth. A substantial aspect of this role is to support the growth of the company and concentrate on building the customer base with a sustainable pipeline project opportunities across all programmes in England, Scotland and Wales and central government. You will also be an active member of the Corporate Management Team, contributing to strategic decision making across the company.

Your supporting team of Programme Managers are jointly responsible for managing the delivery of ~£250m of project delivery which is expected to grow over the next five years. The successful candidate will also develop and maintain key stakeholder relationships with funders, clients and partners and to ensure that all risks in the lifecycle of a Loan and or Grant Programmes and with individual projects are managed effectively.

Key responsibilities

Reporting and Budgeting

• Reporting on the performance of technical programmes to the Director of Programmes & Technical Services, Director of Finance & Resources and the Chief Executive

• Managing the reporting of key indicators across programme teams, including: projections of monthly and end of year project commitments and completions; end of year cash position; budgeting of claims for new funding

• Quarterly performance reporting to funders on programme delivery and administration costs

• Deliver monthly written reports on programme activities to the Salix Board

• Managing programme risk registers and providing input on the Board’s strategic company-wide risk register

Project Management

• Develop good working relationships with delivery partners, for this position it includes BEIS, DfE, EFSA, DoH, OFS, SFC, Welsh Government and Scottish Government and Civil Service Departments and their Agencies.

• Build new and maintain existing client and stakeholder relationships to increase the pipeline of projects to deliver the annual outputs our funders require

• Develop relationships with new potential funders and obtain additional investment to allow us to undertake more projects and attract new clients

• Managing completions including: accurate forecasting and budgeting of claims, managing risks of abandonments, ensuring timely payments are made to clients

• Establish and maintain systems and processes for when funds are awarded and ensuring the effective delivery of key projects

• Develop, implement and review both strategy and activity plans for your programme teams

• Ensure the Programme Manager and their teams maintain a risk register and effectively manage risks

• Manage the strategic risk register for the whole organisation.

Management

• Manage and motivate direct reports, who lead small teams of staff delivering Salix programmes using the Salix performance management framework

• Prepare strategic reports for the Chief Executive, Directors, Board members and external funders.

• Adhere to and promote Salix working procedures; working consistently across all programmes and input into the improvement of processes

• Take part in strategic planning and budget setting to ensure effective funding implementation

• Actively contribute to Salix becoming a modern company with a national reputation for excellence and a company that puts into practice lowering our carbon footprint

• Active member of the Corporate Management Team

• Manage the recruitment and induction programme for new staff

• Ensure all team members are trained and developed in line with the job requirements, ensuring that Salix has the skills and experience to expand its business over the period of its current strategy.

• Manage with HR’s involvement in all employee related matters e.g. disciplinary, sickness, performance etc.

• Responsible for individual and team health and safety.

Inclusive of any other duties and responsibilities within the range of the salary grade.

Salary

£40,000 - £54,000 is the salary scale

Level 7 (or equivalent) management qualification bar at £46,000

Ability to progress on the incremental scale is dependent on performance

The scale increases in increments of £2,000

Employee Benefits

• 28 days annual leave

• Cycle to work scheme

• Contributory pension scheme

• Employee support with public transport costs

• Training

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree or equivalent professionally relevant qualification

• Evidence of continuous professional development

• Management qualification level 7 (or equivalent) or above

  • Note: This post holder needs to obtain the level 7 qualification within two years of joining Salix

• Minimum of 5 years relevant management experience

EXPERIENCE

• Substantial people management experience

• Proven track record of leading, implementing complex projects across an organisation including at a senior level where necessary, within a timescale.

• Experience in providing advice and support to senior managers and employees.

• Experience of leading and managing a team using a performance management framework

• Previous customer service experience

• Strong IT skills, familiarity with MS suite

• Experience providing structured plans and setting clear objectives that implement strategy and drive delivery

• Experience in establishing credibility and trust with key stakeholders, to build and extend influential networks

• Experience of making decisions through the analysis of relevant information and risk assessment

• An understanding of local government and central government

• Ability to work flexibly and proactively within a small team

• Ability to manage, prioritise and deliver a number of projects and work programmes within timescale

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Communicates effectively, confidently and assertively both in writing and when speaking. Good interpersonal skills

• Fosters collaborative and co-ordinated working across teams and in partnership with other organisations

• Presents a credible and positive image internally and externally

• Analytical, accurate and quality-conscious work, pays close attention to detail, ensuring team’s work is delivered to a high standard.

• Effective time management and ability to set realistic timescales for work delivery

• Self-motivated and good organisational skills

• Able to act in an innovative, creative and solution orientated way

• Evidence of promoting the values of a company

• Ability to effectively contribute at meetings and events participation

• Knowledge of energy efficient and low carbon technologies

• Understanding key political drivers to create the right environment for developing and delivering investment in energy efficiency

• Good understanding of public sector structures, procurement processes, financial/budget flows and ways of work in: Local Authority, Higher Education, NHS, and other public sector

• Willingness to travel

• Ability to make decisions that demonstrate commitment to Salix’s corporate strategy

• Challenges the views of others in an open and constructive way

• Holds a growth mindset, able to create a learning culture and maintain a capable and high-performance workforce

• Demonstrate and understand equal opportunities

• Knowledge of best practice human resources management

OTHER

• Willingness to learn and commitment to development and training for themselves and the team

Appointment process

Salix is an equal opportunities employer and has a policy of equal pay.

Salix operates a probationary period for all new staff. This ensures people joining Salix can find out that the job meets their expectations and that Salix can support each member of staff in their role. The successful candidate will be appointed on a fixed term 3-month probationary contract. Successful completion of the probationary period will lead to an offer of employment contract. If the successful candidate is already employed by Salix there is no requirement to complete a second probationary period.

Candidates must demonstrate that they meet the qualifications, experience, skills and abilities listed in the Person Specification in Appendix 1.In order that candidates focus on the experience, skills and abilities in the Person Specification a key is provided for method of assessment nine specific areas have been highlighted in bold. Candidates should place greater emphasis on these nine points in their written statement which should be no more than 2,500 words. Other aspects of the Person Specification will be evidenced from your CV, test and the final interview.

Candidates will also be expected to undertake a testing exercise relevant to the role.

How to apply

If you wish to apply for this role, please submit all of the following to applications@changeagents.org.uk.

1. An up to date CV

2. All candidates are asked to submit a personal statement of no more than 2,500 words stating why they are suitable for the post of Senior Programme Manager. You are asked to address all points on the person specification criteria paying particular attention to those highlighted in bold.

3. Equality monitoring form (available to download here: http://salixfinance.co.uk/sites/default/files/equality_monitoring_form_equality_act_compliant_0_2.doc)

Please specify in the application subject the job title you are applying for and within the email where you saw the job posted.

Appointment timetable

The position has been advertised on Tuesday 25th August 2020

Applications will close on Friday 11th September 2020

Longlisting will take place week Tuesday 15 September 2020

Assessment exercise will take place on Monday 21 September 2020

If you are shortlisted interviews will take place Friday 25 September 2020

If you intend on applying for the post of Senior Programme Manager, please hold these dates in your diary.

Key information about application

• Applicants must demonstrate through their CV and personal statement that they meet the qualifications, experience, skills and abilities listed in the Person Specification.

• Please be aware that Salix will only accept applications which contain all the requested supporting documentation detailed above, and candidates that do not submit all requested documentation and who do not demonstrate they meet the criteria will not be longlisted.

• All applicants must have the right to work in the UK and documentation is required to support this.

If you have any questions please direct these to contact@changeagents.org.uk or call 01572 723419

Keywords: Carbon Reduction, Sustainability, Environment, Energy Efficiency, Senior Project Manager, Project Management, Strategic Delivery Manager, Programme Lead, Green Investment

Closed - no further applications permitted