HAR-013756 – Project Manager

Work Pattern: 35 hours per week ,  Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm, Site and office-based, with travel across the London Borough of Harrow as required.

PAYE Pay Rate: £24.81 per hour

Main Purpose of the Role

To manage the delivery of capital, facilities and planned maintenance projects across Harrow’s school estate and wider corporate properties. The role will provide technical property and construction advice, manage project budgets, programmes and contractors, and ensure projects are delivered safely, to specification, on time and within budget.

Typical Day

A typical day may involve visiting schools and construction sites, inspecting buildings and investigating defects, managing contractors, reviewing project progress and budgets, preparing reports and tender documentation, liaising with Head Teachers and Governors, and coordinating with Council teams, consultants and external partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage capital and facilities projects from initial scope and design through procurement, delivery and handover.
• Deliver minor and major works across the school estate.
• Provide technical advice on property, construction, repairs and maintenance.
• Investigate building defects and develop appropriate repair and maintenance strategies.
• Manage project budgets, financial approvals, reporting and expenditure.
• Monitor contractor performance, quality, programme and compliance.
• Prepare project reports, specifications, programmes and tender documentation.
• Liaise with Head Teachers, Governors, Council officers, contractors and external stakeholders.
• Support the development of the 3–5 year Capital Maintenance Programme and PPM plans.
• Ensure projects comply with relevant health & safety, construction and statutory requirements.
• Maintain project governance and documentation.
• Support the smooth handover of completed projects into routine maintenance.
• Manage competing priorities, including urgent repairs and maintenance issues.
• Carry out site inspections, including occasional work in confined or outdoor environments.

Key Skills

• Strong project management and technical construction knowledge.
• Experience managing capital projects and planned maintenance programmes.
• Good understanding of building defects, repairs and maintenance.
• Strong budget and contractor management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage projects independently and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good knowledge of health, safety and construction legislation.
• Ability to produce clear reports, specifications and project documentation.
• Proficient IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.

Essential Qualifications & Requirements

• Diploma or equivalent qualification in a relevant property, construction or technical discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Demonstrable project management experience.
• Relevant technical knowledge and competence.
• Experience managing capital, construction, facilities or maintenance projects.
• Ability to manage budgets, programmes and contractor performance.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and under pressure.
• Enhanced DBS check suitable for working in schools.
• Ability to travel between Council sites and schools as required.

Desirable

• Qualified Building Surveyor or currently working towards professional qualification.
• Local authority experience.
• Experience within a Capital Projects environment.
• Experience using MS Project and AutoCAD LT.
• Experience of building surveying, condition surveys and planned maintenance.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent.
• Experience managing school or public-sector estates projects.