Capital Works Programme Manager

Job summary

The Capital Programme Manager is responsible for leading, developing and delivering the UKHSA Porton Estates, Engineering and Facilities (EEF) capital programme, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and operational requirements.

Working closely with a wide range of stakeholders, they will lead the planning, prioritisation, governance and delivery of a diverse portfolio of complex capital projects within a live High Hazard Life Sciences environment. The programme includes professional services, specialist equipment installations, major refurbishment and new-build projects ranging from £5k to £10m, with an annual budget of circa. £20m.

The role will ensure effective programme controls, stakeholder engagement and the achievement of operational and financial objectives delivered in accordance with UKHSA governance, departmental procedures and government procurement requirements.

They will lead a small multidisciplinary team overseeing project delivery from business case development through design, procurement, construction and operational handover, while maintaining effective programme governance, reporting, risk management, resource planning and financial controls to ensure projects are delivered within scope, budget and timescales.

The role will provide leadership and support to the Capital Programme and EEF teams, promoting best practice, driving continuous improvement, value for money and compliance with statutory, regulatory and organisational requirements.

Job description

• Lead the development, prioritisation and delivery of the Porton Capital Programme, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives, estate strategy and business needs.
• Manage a portfolio of capital projects including infrastructure, laboratories, engineering systems, specialist equipment, refurbishments and new-build developments within a live High Hazard Life Sciences environment.
• Maintain programme governance, reporting, risk management, assurance and financial controls across the capital portfolio.
• Manage capital budgets and forecasting, ensuring value for money and compliance with UKHSA governance and procurement requirements.
• Oversee project delivery from business case development through design, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of project professionals, consultants and contractors, ensuring effective resource planning and performance.
• Provide technical, commercial and contractual advice to support investment decisions, business cases and procurement activities.
• Build stakeholder relationships and communicate programme performance, risks and outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, health and safety, quality and organisational requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement through best practice, lessons learned and performance monitoring.

Strategic Programme Leadership

• Lead the development, prioritisation, approval and delivery of the UKHSA Porton Capital Works Programme, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives, estate strategy, asset management plans & business priorities.
• Develop and maintain a rolling capital investment programme supporting operational, scientific and infrastructure requirements.
• Provide strategic leadership for programme governance, planning and prioritisation, ensuring investment decisions are informed by business need, estate condition, risk & long-term objectives.
• Establish programme strategies, policies, standards, performance measures and KPIs, while managing interdependencies, risks & opportunities to optimise delivery outcomes.

Project Delivery

• Oversee a diverse portfolio of capital projects from concept through to operational handover & benefits realisation, ensuring they are delivered to agreed scope, budget, quality standards and timescales.
• Direct all stages of delivery including feasibility studies, option appraisals, business case development, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, validation and handover.
• Ensure effective operational transition arrangements and undertake post-project reviews to identify lessons learned and drive continuous improvement.

Finance and Commercial

• Manage the capital programme budget, ensuring effective financial control and value for money across all projects.
• Monitor budgets, cashflow forecasts, expenditure and financial performance, taking corrective action where required.
• Ensure compliance with UKHSA financial governance requirements.
• Maintain oversight of change control processes, ensuring financial and programme impacts are assessed and approved.
• Support robust procurement, contract management and commercial governance throughout the project lifecycle.

Governance, Risk and Assurance

• Establish and maintain effective governance, assurance and reporting frameworks.
• Develop and maintain programme controls covering risk, issues, change management, benefits realisation and performance monitoring.
• Ensure accurate reporting of programme performance, finance and key risks to senior management and governance boards.
• Provide assurance that projects are managed in accordance with recognised programme and project management best practice, organisational policies, and government requirements.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build productive relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders on site, suppliers and external organisations.
• Principal point of contact for the Porton capital programme.
• Communicate complex technical, commercial and programme information to diverse audiences throughout project lifecycles and present relevant information and programme updates to governance boards and senior leadership.
• Manage stakeholder expectations, resolving issues and conflicts as required to maintain project objectives.

Technical Advice, Compliance and Health & Safety

• Provide specialist technical, commercial and contractual advice on complex engineering, construction and infrastructure projects.
• Support the development of business cases, option appraisals and investment proposals, while reviewing technical specifications, designs and procurement documentation.
• Advise on procurement strategies, contract management and supplier performance.
• Ensure all projects and staff comply with statutory, regulatory and organisational requirements.

Continuous Improvement and General Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement across programme management, governance and project delivery.
• Implement lessons learned, develop management information and performance reporting systems, and promote innovation, efficiency and value for money across the capital portfolio.
• Promote collaboration, professionalism, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post as reasonably required by management.

This list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Significant experience managing complex capital programmes and multi-disciplinary construction projects within research, pharmaceutical, scientific or other highly regulated environments.
• Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Building Services, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Project Management or a related discipline (or equivalent experience), together with PRINCE2 Practitioner, MSP Practitioner, APM PMQ or equivalent qualification.