Project Assistant

London, London, United Kingdom Waltham Forest Council Job Description

Organisation: London Borough of Waltham Forest

Salary: PO1 £41,133 - £43,680

Contract Type: Permanent

Working hours per week: 36

Application Deadline: 07/10/2026

Proposed Interview Date(s): TBC

Reference: 1948

About Us:

Bursting with culture, energy, and opportunity, the London Borough of Waltham Forest is a fantastic and exciting place to work.

We are a highly ambitious borough. Driven by culture and the innate creativity of our residents, we have developed new and innovative ways to build our communities. Our Council is relentlessly resident-focused, insight-led, digitally driven and commercially minded; a Council focused on meeting the needs of our existing and future residents.

London Borough of Waltham Forest is one of the Mayor of London's Good Work Standard employers. This accreditation is a proof of our commitment to creating a healthy, fair and inclusive workplace. This includes fair pay and conditions, workplace well-being, skills and progression and diversity and recruitment.

About the role:

We are looking for a Planned Works- Project Assistant - You will be responsible for assisting and leading the end-to-end development, planning, and successful delivery of a large-scale, complex, and long-term housing refurbishment programme. This will involve managing multiple project phases and workstreams simultaneously, with a strong emphasis on ensuring that all activities are completed on time, within budget, and to a consistently high standard of quality. The role requires a robust understanding of contractual frameworks, with particular focus on ensuring full compliance with Term Partnering Contract (TPC) requirements, governance protocols, and performance metrics.

Reporting to a Project Manager, you will play a key role as part of the Housing Assets team to deliver effective and efficient planned works programme to residents including procurement, commercial management and risk management.

A key aspect of this role includes strategic oversight and hands-on project management of the transition phase, guiding the mobilisation and demobilisation of key service providers across both the repairs and maintenance (R&M) and planned works areas. You will be expected to coordinate closely with internal departments, contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition, maintaining operational continuity and minimising disruption to residents and services.

You will be expected to manage risk proactively, implement effective programme controls, and regularly report on progress, issues, and outcomes to senior leadership. This role demands a combination of technical expertise, stakeholder engagement, commercial acumen, and a strong focus on resident satisfaction, ensuring the housing refurbishment programme not only meets contractual and regulatory expectations but also delivers long-lasting value to the community.

>> Click here to download the Role Profile <<

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in managing processes across all projects to ensure outcomes align with TPC contractual and regulatory requirements and agreed Task Orders.
• Oversee multi-disciplinary teams of consultants and contractors in the planning and execution of Building Works contracts.
• Lead dispute resolution and escalation processes in the best interest of the Council and stakeholders.
• Lead and engage with key stakeholders throughout project development and delivery, ensuring alignment at all stages
• Ensure policies and works are developed and delivered with resident engagement and colleague consultation, meeting leaseholder consultation requirements.
• Manage financial aspects and duties related to projects in line with agreed Task Orders.
• Prepare reports within required timeframes for governance approvals.
• Present project updates to senior management and at public consultations.
• Promote clear communication and ensure high-quality outcomes.
• Identify, manage, and mitigate risks and key issues.
• Prepare feasibility studies, tender documents, and contract variations; monitor contractor progress on-site.
• Conduct post-project reviews, analyze results, and benchmark performance.
• Manage project Change Control processes and monitor project delivery through performance reviews.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Experience in managing contracts and projects across various disciplines, collaborating effectively with staff at all levels to achieve desired outcomes.
• Proven track record in producing and presenting performance and management-level reports.
• Experience managing housing and construction projects.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work independently, taking responsibility for actions and decisions within the scope of accountability.
• Capable of working under tight deadlines, delivering best-value outcomes, and making sound decisions while knowing when to escalate.
• Strong organisational skills with expertise in project and financial management.
• Innovative, motivated, and able to drive team performance.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Visio, and Project.
• Experience of liaising with residents
• Knowledge of Asbestos Regulations.
• Housing legislation and regulations with reference to repairs and maintenance

Indicative Qualifications

• Relevant Building qualification, NVQ, ONC, Degree or equivalent or vocational qualification in relevant subject or area
• Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
• Experience in working for a social housing landlord in either a local authority or a housing association

Terms and conditions:

Satisfactory employment references and CIFAS identity checks;

• Satisfactory declaration of interest;
• Satisfactory DBS check;
• Suitable driver's license desirable;
• As a public authority, we must ensure that members of staff in public-facing roles are able to speak fluent English. This means that they must have a command of spoken English, with confidence and accuracy, sufficient for the effective performance of their role. This requirement does not refer to any particular English language qualifications, regional or international accents, dialects, speech impediments or the tone of conversations. It does not require staff to speak only in English.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications online by pressing the 'Apply' button below. This includes a supporting statement that outlines to us how your skills and experience make you a good candidate for this vacancy.

We are a Home Office-licensed sponsor; however, for this specific role we are not able to provide Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. To be considered, you must already hold a form of UK work authorisation that does not require sponsorship.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both, service delivery and employment of its staff. The Coun