Assistant Director - Infrastructure

Job summary

Job purpose

Cambridge has become a major incubator of successful tech start-ups contributing significantly to the UK economy. However, Cambridgeshire and its surrounding areas face significant infrastructure challenges. Power, water and transport issues all impact business and housing growth and affect the quality of life for Cambridgeshire’s residents and potentially limit future economic growth.

On 23 July, the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) established the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation (GCDC). The Development Corporation will be responsible for the stewardship and deployment of very significant public capital investment, with capital projects typically measured in multiples of £100 million, and overall programme value measured at over £100bn, delivered over long-time horizons and through complex commercial, land and infrastructure arrangements involving leveraging significant private sector investment.

This pivotal role is responsible for the development and delivery of a programme of de-risking and infrastructure works. Leading the delivery of integrated engineering solutions to support an infrastructure led approach that enables the acceleration of economic and housing growth across Greater Cambridge.

Lead a team of technical specialists working closely with other teams across the Development Corporation and with external partners, providing expert direction and support on technical due diligence and engineering solutions to unlock and deliver key infrastructure and strategic sites. Reporting regularly on financial and delivery performance to the Technical Director, appropriate Committees and Board as required.

This role is responsible for providing leadership and senior management to ensure successful delivery of a programme of de-risking, enabling and infrastructure works contracts and technical support.

Lead on providing in‐depth understanding of technical, geotechnical, utilities requirements, engineering and infrastructure issues, affecting the development potential and viability of residential/mixed use sites; lead on assessing the developability and viability of land from a technical perspective, ensuring due diligence/abnormal issues are comprehensively understood. The role will also lead on utilities planning and connection including water and electricity supply.

Lead and manage a team of technical experts to scope, commission and manage external advisors and Capital Works contracts to support the delivery of economic growth and new housing. This will include managing the design and construction of highways and structures, utility services, drainage and integrated water management features and landscaping, demolition, site clearance, land remediation and other de-risking activities, as part of programme to support an infrastructure led approach to site delivery.

Lead on procurement of external advisors and contractors.

Job description

This role is being recruited by Homes England to support the establishment and operation of the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation. The successful candidate will initially be employed by Homes England and will work predominantly on matters relating to the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation and its activities.

Key relationships

Internal – Assistant Directors, Heads and other members of the Technical Team. Directors and Heads and teams across the Development Corporation, senior leaders and Boards.

External – Senior leaders at MHCLG, and other government departments, utility providers and other public sector organisations. Maintain positive relationship management with senior contact with private sectors partners, consultants, contractors and sector stakeholders.

Key accountabilities and responsibilities

• Provide leadership for all development-related technical advice and capital works, with responsibility for developing a positive challenge focused culture while ensuring a solution-driven service on projects:
  • Assessing development/site constraints and resolving pre-construction issues on a full range of ground, remediation, demolition, highways, drainage and utilities issues.
  • Management/ownership of the direct delivery of infrastructure works, structures, demolition, remediation, and other construction activities.
• Be responsible for the procurement, management and safe delivery, working with H&S, of the capital works programme to agreed quality, time and cost outcomes, with regular monitoring and reporting on progress.
• Ensure technical policies, guidance, procedures and systems are fit for purpose and provide technical advice to internal teams as required, including managing the introduction on new regulations as they arise and are peer reviewed across technical disciplines to ensure a continued comprehensive Technical Services delivery.
• Ensuring constructive collaborative approach in working with delivery teams and project consultants, provide technical input and due diligence services to enable the acquisition and delivery of residential/ mixed use development sites, including timely Peer Review input to project approvals
• Bring a consistency of approach in providing guidance, when requested, on the negotiation and appointment of technical consultants and works or services contracts, ensuring compliance with statutory guidance, policy, risk appetite and approved budget.
• Identifying the development potential of residential/mixed use development sites and regeneration projects e.g. contamination remediation, demolition, highway matters, drainage, historic environment, utilities, noise, etc and resolving on request with project delivery teams.
• Build, develop and lead a high performing team ensuring training is actively completed in line with professional development objectives including engagement and working with professional networks.
• Build strategic relationships with government, local authorities, private sector partners, utility companies, consultants and contractors to influence outcomes.
• Collaborate across directorates to integrate technical expertise into development strategy and operational delivery

Employees are expected to be flexible in undertaking duties and responsibilities commensurate with the general character of the role and level of responsibility.

Person specification

Key skills, knowledge and experience

• Degree or equivalent and/or appropriate professional qualifications/membership in a relevant property, design, built environment, construction, engineering, surveying or other technical discipline or demonstration of significant relevant experience
• Experienced manager/leader with considerable knowledge and expertise in all aspects of residential/mixed use development, building, residential development, infrastructure delivery and construction, particularly the technical approach to pre-construction, site related preparation, de-risking, infrastructure works and development. Similar knowledge and experience of strategic site development and regeneration projects is desirable.
• Legal, commercial/ procurement and contractual experience, with ability to read / interpret and inform consultant/ contractor programmes. Demonstrable track record in these areas essential.
• Excellent communicator and negotiator with the skills to explain the impact of technical issues on deliverability and viability of projects
• Detailed understanding of the range of technical issues related to regeneration, development and infrastructure delivery with experience of application of these in site acquisition, scheme planning, direct construction works and all project delivery phases. S