Change Agents UK

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

We are looking for a Programme Manager, who would be responsible for managing a high performing team and building a sustainable pipeline of loan and grant projects. You will also be an active member of the Corporate Management Team, contributing to strategic decision making across the company.

The successful candidate will be able to develop key stakeholder relationships with funders, clients, and partners.

Programme Manager

Job Title: Programme Manager

Reporting to: Senior Programme Manager

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 Programme Manager, you would be responsible for managing a team of staff who are managing high value projects from inception to delivery. As a team of Programme Managers and a member of the Technical and Delivery Team group, you are jointly responsible for managing the delivery of an annual turnover, which is expected to grow over the next five years. The successful candidate will be able to develop key stakeholder relationships with funders, clients, and partners and to ensure that all risks in the lifecycle of the Loan Programme and financing energy efficient projects are managed effectively and create carbon savings.

Salix is going through a period of significant financial growth. A substantial aspect of this role is to support the growth of the company by managing a high performing team and building a sustainable pipeline of loan and grant projects. You will also be an active member of the Corporate Management Team, contributing to strategic decision making across the company.

Key responsibilities

Project Management

• Develop good working relationships with delivery partners – which may include BEIS, DfE, EFSA, DoH, HEFCE, Welsh Government and Scottish Government and central government departments

• 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

• Following up on the success of a programme and on-going improvements

• Develop and implement an activity plan for the team

Management

• Manage and motivate a team of staff who are delivering Salix programmes

• Manage Programme Co-ordinators to improve their skills and abilities

• 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

• Prepare written and verbal reports for the company

• Provide written reports as required for the Board

• 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

• Contribute to the overall management of Salix being an example to others of the Salix values

• Work effectively and positively with all teams to provide an excellent work environment and effective teamwork

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

Salary

£34,000 (rising to £48,000)

Rising to £48,000 by annual increments of £2,000 and are awarded based on performance

Progression beyond £42,000 requires a level 7 management qualification or equivalent

Employee Benefits

• 28 days annual leave

• Cycle to work scheme

• Contributory pension scheme

• Employee support with public transport costs

• Supported training budget for staff

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree or equivalent professionally relevant qualification

• Evidence of continuous professional development

• Management qualification level 5 or above* Note 1

  • if you do not have this qualification, evidence that you are studying for this qualification and date to complete will be considered as appropriate evidence.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 5 years relevant work experience

• Substantial people management experience

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

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

• Presentation experience

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

• Previous client/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

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• 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

• Communicates effectively, confidently and assertively both in writing and when speaking

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

• Presents a credible and positive image both internally and externally

• High level of numeracy

• 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 through a Performance Management System

• Self-motivated and good organisational skills

• Good interpersonal skills

• 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

• Able to create a culture of learning, and maintain a capable and high-performance workforce

• Demonstrate and understand equal opportunities

OTHER

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

Note 1= This post holder needs to obtain the level 7 qualification within two years of joining Salix.

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. This is on a fixed term 12-week probationary contract. Successful completion of the probationary period will lead to an offer of employment contract.

The Person Specification for this position can be found in above. All criteria outlined in the specification are considered essential and will be assessed through a combination of the application statement, CV, and interview.

Candidates must demonstrate that they meet the qualifications, experience, skills, and abilities listed in the Person Specification. In order that candidates focus on the experience, skills and abilities in the Person Specification eight specific areas have been highlighted. Candidates should focus on these eight points in their written statement which should be no more than 2,000 words. Other aspects of the Person Specification will be evidenced from your CV and the final interview. See above for the person specification.

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. A Personal Statement of no more than 2,000 words as to how you match the requirements of the Person Specification ensuring you address the eight key criteria highlighted in the person specification

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 Monday 7th September 2020

Applications will close on Monday 28th September 2020, noon

Candidates will be longlisted and notified by Thursday 1st October 2020

Assessments will take place at the Salix office on Tuesday 6th October 2020

Interviews will take place Tuesday 13th & Wednesday 14th October 2020

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, Project Manager, Project Management, Strategic Delivery, Green Investment

Closed - no further applications permitted