Head of Project Services

Are you an experienced District Heating or Mechanical & Electrical professional with the vision and leadership to shape, plan and deliver large-scale investment programmes.

Do you have a passion for improving housing conditions, managing risk and compliance, and engaging with customers and stakeholders to deliver high-quality outcomes?

Are you keen to work within a friendly, professional team and drive continuous service improvement? This role is an exciting opportunity for a highly committed and experienced individual to join the Asset Management and Programme Works Team within the Neighbourhoods and Housing Service at Sheffield City Council.

We are recruiting for a customer-focused and experienced Project Manager (Asset Management and Programme Works) to help lead the service and shape the planning and delivery of our HRA-funded housing capital investment programme, with a particular focus district and communal heating systems and wider M&E assets.

Take a leading role in the strategic planning and operational delivery of capital investment programmess for district heating, communal energy systems, and key mechanical and electrical (M&E) assets. You will turn asset and feasibility data, as well as regulatory requirements, into innovative and cost-effective programmes that support our asset management and business objectives.

Provide expert leadership in lifecycle planning, performance optimisation, compliance, and future decarbonisation pathways for heat networks and M&E systems. Oversee the entire programme lifecycle from feasibility and procurement to delivery, monitoring, and post-completion review while ensuring robust contract and commercial management, including procurement, mobilisation, change control, cost validation, and performance management.

As an individual you will have a well-developed understanding of housing investment priorities, the challenges facing the housing sector and the drivers behind these, alongside a strong commitment to compliance, value for money and excellent customer outcomes.

As the Project Manager you will manage and assist in leading the team to provide innovative, high-quality and customer-focused investment solutions, translating priorities into investment programmes and projects. Working closely with the Service Manager and key partners (internal and external), you will help ensure effective consultation, robust contract and procurement practice, strong performance management and delivery of best-value services for tenants and stakeholders.

The Asset Management and Programme Works Team shape and deliver the HRA capital investment programme.

Take a lead role in shaping the strategic investment planning and programming for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital investment programme, with a focus on district heating. Oversee financial monitoring, forecasting and reporting to inform decision-making and governance, contributing to a sustainable Asset Management Strategy for Council Housing.

Direct and coordinate contract administration across district heating and M&E investment programmes, including supporting procurement and tendering, contract mobilisation, performance monitoring, managing variations and claims, and ensuring full compliance with contract conditions and Council Standing Orders

Manage capital projects relating to district heating, including project planning, risk and issue management, reporting, record keeping and approvals, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, to the required quality standards and meet customer expectations.

Support strong commercial management by maintaining accurate records, validating payment applications and completion documentation, and working closely with QS and finance colleagues to ensure robust cost control and budget oversight.

Maintain a watching brief over the external legislative and policy framework in relation to district heating, technical standards and specifications, ensuring local practice remains compliant and up to date.

Lead effective consultation and communication with customers, Elected Members, staff and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle, responding constructively to feedback and complaints to foster continuous improvement.

Ensure all programmes are procured and managed in line with the Council’s procurement strategy, standing orders and contract conditions, delivering best value and ensuring strong performance across district heating projects.

Oversee asset risk and hazard management within the housing stock, exercising sound judgement and escalating cases for legal action where necessary.

Manage building-related standards, policies and product design specifications for district heating capital projects, including the application of value engineering and governance of standards.

Guarantee legal and safety compliance for district heating design and investment standards, particularly regarding the Asbestos Policy, maintaining the accuracy and accessibility of the asbestos register and overseeing the asbestos management plan.

We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.

It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.

Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form. Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.

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