Senior Programme Manager (Lifecycle Works)

Job summary

For jobs located in Wales, the ability to speak Welsh is desirable.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is one of the government’s largest public service departments with a sizeable annual budget, serving over 20 million citizens.

The estate spans 1.4 million square metres across 800+ sites and supports around 78,000 colleagues.

Our vision includesDWP colleagues, supply chain, partners and, most fundamentally, the customers the Department exists to serve. They are the reason for our existence.​

We are responsible for the day-to-day operation of our vast Estate by managing a private sector supply chain that delivers essential services such as Security Guarding, Maintenance, Property and Leasehold Management, Construction, Cleaning and Facilities Management.

DWP Estates is not just about maintaining buildings - it’s about transformation. Our strategic goals include:

• Transitioning to a smaller, more affordable, and adaptable estate to meet future needs
• Investing in infrastructure through planned replacement works
• Embedding sustainability in line with Government Greening Commitments (GGCs)
• Delivering cost-effective services while maintaining high standards
• Creating a professional, best-in-class working culture across the Government Property profession

Our Estates strategy ambitions have been refreshed to take us through to 2030:

• OPTIMISE: Continue to transition to a more affordable and adaptable DWP estate that creates productive environments

• INVEST: Investment in an improved environment that better meets the needs of customers and colleagues and minimises service disruption

• SUPPORT the drive for sustainability throughout DWP

• DELIVER: Expertly deliver improving, cost-effective services for DWP

• THRIVE: Continue to develop a working culture for DWP Estates that is best in class across government

There is no better time to join the award winning DWP Estates team.

This Real Estate specialist role will work closely with project related supplier partners with a key responsibility in the oversight of how operational Project Management services (excluding major projects) are delivered across the portfolio, along with budget challenge and approval for projects.

Job description

This role will manage and continue to improve a robust process to ensure long term strategic DWP sites are fit for purpose, allowing maximum occupation to support the Authorities business.

The scope of the investment activity includes ‘critical asset’ replacements and enhancements (such as boilers, heating/cooling systems, lifts, roofing etc.) across the DWP’s large, complex and varied portfolio. A typical annual programme will comprise in excess of 200 ‘master’ Lifecycle projects delivery a total investment in excess of £50M.

The programme has sustainability at its core and is a key enabler in driving a greener estate. Typical you will lead the delivery of multiple sustainability related initiatives such as LED lighting and Air Source Heat Pump installations. You will share this portfolio with 2 other Senior Programme Managers.

Government Property Profession Career Framework (Link)

This role sits within the following:

• Job Family – Property & Construction Projects
• Core Role – Property & Construction Project Management
• Level – Senior Practitioner

Key accountabilities

• Working in partnership with the DWP Estates Strategy & Portfolio Planning, Asset Management and Project Teams to ensure a holistic, cost-effective approach to the planning and delivery of major critical asset replacement and lifecycle works programmes in line with Departmental strategy.
• Act as a key stakeholder contributing, challenging and validating asset investment strategic planning and budget setting which develops a robust and viable multiple year Investment Plan, and understand and deliver the agreed outputs within an agreed budget allocation
• Deliver the agreed outputs by producing and obtaining agreement on the annual (Financial Year) Lifecycle Delivery Plan.
• Accountable for the effective management and successful delivery to time, cost & schedule of the agreed Annual Lifecycle Delivery Plan (ensuring consequences and dependencies are effectively managed). Control lifecycle and variation expenditure and income to meet agreed budgets and to maximise efficiencies whilst achieving the required quality standards
• Actively build and maintain a network of colleagues and internal & external key interfaces in the supply chain to provide a fit-for-purpose and accurate suite of MI, data, reports and forecasts capturing delivery, risk and financial metrics.
• Accountable/responsible for ensuring the Department’s lifecycle management strategy is pro-active, cost-effective and successfully delivers in line with contractual timescales whilst welcoming and responding to views and challenges of others despite any conflicting pressures.
• Ensure the Lifecycle Works Programme is delivered in compliance with all legislative, Health & Safety, contractual requirements and relevant building/engineering standards.
• Provide key stakeholder management as required to support the planning and delivery of the Lifecycle Works Programme.
• Ensure the provision and appropriate discharge of Health and Safety responsibilities in accordance with statutory and Authority requirements.
• Provide input and challenge to ensure that workplace and technical design standards are compliant
• Liaise closely and build effective working relationships with Estates Commercial/Category Management, Cost Management, Performance and Audit and Finance BP as required
• Contribute to the procurement of professional services consultants and works contractors to undertake inspections, detailed design and works delivery. Review supplier full tender documents and conduct analysis in conjunction with good industry practice.
• Own, and regularly review robust progress, technical and financial management and reporting regime, ensuring appropriate governance, audit and commercial approval arrangements are in place
• Proactively demonstrate the DWP values and Estates ‘One Team’ culture to all service partners.

Person specification

Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Extensive experience within a property profession discipline.
• Working knowledge of building condition surveys and asset management.
• Strong Commercial experience gained within a property, facilities management or project delivery function within a large, matrix organisation.
• A proven track record in leading key stakeholders towards commercial solutions that give a balance of optimal commercial performance whilst delivering on business strategy.
• High level management of key suppliers, able to support negotiations, management or escalation issues, and engage in key decision making that has strategic consequences.
• Experience of project or programme management - excellent organisational skills supported by robust planning and prioritisation.
• Proven ability to interpret and analyse data to inform decision making.
• Understanding and complyi