JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title / Head of Programme Management OfficeSalary Band / £61,277 - £68,961
(subject to Job evaluation)
Reporting To / Director of Corporate Services
Political Restriction / This post is politically restricted
1. Primary Purpose of the Post
The Head of Programme Management Office will implement a best practice programme approach to the work of the Combined Authority and provide senior managers and key external stakeholders such as the LEP and BEIS with a thorough understanding of the progress of projects and programmes, the key issues and risks to delivery and have responsibility for capturing the benefits and business change outputs of the Combined Authority’s investment plan.
In addition the Head of PMO will provide support and advice to the Combined Authority’s service areas in the delivery of their projects (policy and change, capital investment and major projects) and work with external organisations in receipt of funding from the Combined Authority’s Single Investment Fund to ensure that these projects deliver the expectations of the Combined Authority.
2. Key Role Specific Responsibilities
‘LCR CA Centre of Excellence’
· To establish effective portfolio management regime across the LCR CA drawing together delivery of projects either funded from the Single Investment Fund or policy initiatives sponsored by the LCR CA
· Enhance the project and programme management capability of the LCR CA through continuous improvement of corporate standards, providing tools, templates and best practice guidance, working with professional bodies such as the Association of Project Management
· Provide leadership and coaching to the Programme Management Team and to project managers across the LCR CA, overseeing any on-boarding for new project managers and support career planning
· Enforcing corporate standards
· Ensure that the Programme Management Team delivers its services and functions such as performance reports, analyses, support to project initiation
· Working with Internal Audit, oversee a schedule of health checks and deep dives to ensure that projects and programmes are conforming to corporate standards, chairing reports and providing assurance to project sponsors
· Provide project and programme management support to the Metro Mayor’s flagship initiatives
Assurance of the Single Investment Fund
· To provide assurance of the Single Investment Fund decision-making process by ensuring that it is based on a holistic review of business cases
· To monitor and evaluate the performance of the Single Investment Fund against LCR CA targets and metrics
Programme, Performance and Risk Management
· To oversee the development and implementation of a robust, efficient and effective performance management framework across the LCR CA
· To oversee the production of high quality performance reports for the LCR CA governance structures, LCR LEP Board and central government stakeholders regarding the work of the LCR CA covering projects, programmes, operational delivery and devolution obligations
· To monitor the status of all LCR CA projects and programmes
· To ensure the LCR CA adequately understands and manages risk, including ensuring that risk-management policies and practices are appropriate
· To oversee the maintenance of the Portfolio Risk Register and Issues Log and make recommendations for mitigation
· To provide a consulting and advisory service in respect of risk and corporate performance management, including provision of advice, assistance and support to Directors and Lead Officers/Heads of Service in respect of risk and performance management arrangements
· Oversee the management of dependencies brokering solutions with Senior Responsible Owners
· Work closely with Finance in ensuring that there is accurate information regarding tracking of expenditure and forecasts
· Enhance benefits planning and forecasting across the Single Investment Fund projects working with analysts and economists
Decision- Support
· Provide independent assurance and evidence to support investment decisions
· Contribute to strategic planning and prioritisation, working closely with senior managers and colleagues
EU Compliance
· To oversee the compliance function associated with those LCR CA projects in receipt of EU funds (ESIF)
3. General Corporate Responsibilities
· To support the development of effective city region and cross-portfolio collaboration;
· To represent and promote the work of the LCRCA and the wider LCR, locally, regionally and nationally.
· In line with the respective role to ensure ‘joined up’ policy and practice in across areas of the city region.
· To represent the LCRCA with customers and the Liverpool City Region public and partner organisations so as to raise the reputation of the LCRCA and promote its interests and its people.
· Working with other members of LCRCA Leadership team to make open, honest and effective corporate management decisions within the LCRCA’s formal governance structure
· To advise the Senior Leadership Team, Metro Mayor and LCRCA on significant policy decisions
· To contribute to the preparation of business plans and take responsibility for the achievement of specific workstreams
· Provide leadership by communicating the vision and interpreting and providing direction for policies, standards and systems
· To support the Senior Leadership Team to embed a culture that places customers first, adopts a can-do approach and focuses on communities and working locally.
· To undertake a lead role in the corporate management of the strategic risks facing the LCRCA
· Promote corporate efficiency targets and initiatives;
· Promote understanding of and adherence to the Combined Authority’s core values by modelling appropriate behaviours and encouraging others to do likewise
· Promote and encourage continued improvement in service quality and efficiency.
· To participate in all aspects of training and development as directed and to use all relevant learning opportunities to improve personal skills so as to improve effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery.
General Managerial Responsibilities
· To lead the Programme Management Office to develop a performance-driven culture through the accountability of the lead officers allocating resources, managing risks, monitoring and review and providing leadership and inspiration to deliver service excellence
· To share and communicate a clear understanding of the LCRCA priorities across all portfolios.
· Ensure the development, provision and analysis of high quality management information and documentation that is timely, accurate and meaningful.
· Recruit, select, appraise and develop staff in accordance with the LCRCA’s policies and procedures, holding regular one-to-ones with direct reports, ensuring that feedback is provided in a constructive way.
· Create a positive learning and working environment through delegation, mentoring and coaching of staff and through the identification of training and development needs.
· Develop the LCRCA’s commitment to equal opportunities and promote non-discriminatory practices in all aspects of work undertaken.
· Support the scrutiny process established by the LCRCA
· Encourage a culture of continuous improvement to develop an outstanding service, where value for money and best value are delivered and innovation and enterprise flourish.
· Promote strong, direct and effective communication and involvement with all stakeholders.
· Promote the work of the LCRCA and LCR locally and nationally.
· Support the Combined Authority’s commitment to equal opportunities and promote non-discriminatory practices in all aspects of work undertaken.
It must be understood that every employee has a responsibility to ensure that their work complies with all statutory requirements and with Standing Orders and Financial Regulations of the Combined Authority, and to ensure that all work functions are undertaken in accordance with health and safety legislation, codes of practice, and the Combined Authority’s safety plan.
This job description is not intended to be prescriptive or exhaustive; it is issued as a framework to outline the main areas of responsibility at the time of writing.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
SERVICE AREA: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Corporate Services Directorate
JOB TITLE: Head Programme Management Office
GRADE: tbc
Note to Applicants. Essential criteria are marked with *. All other criteria are desirable.
/ CRITERIA / METHODS OF ASSESSMENT /Qualifications and Training / 1. P3O (Portfolio, Programme and Project Offices) or Significant experience as set out below*
2. Management of Portfolios* .
3. Prince 2*
4. MSP (Managing Successful Programmes), Agile or significant experience as set out below*
5. Member of the APM or Registered Project Professional (desirable) or demonstrating commitment to seeking these qualifications* / A
A
A
Experience / 4. Significant experience of delivering an effective programme management function across an organisation or programme and project management experience*
5. Line management and coaching of Programme Management Team and project managers*
6. Experience of Programme Management Office set- up and implementation, and continuous improvement*
7. Experience of using best practice methodology and benchmarks e.g. P3M3
8. Experience of project management lifecycles, processes, controls and techniques for infrastructure projects*
9. Experience of ICT projects and change programmes
10. Experience of developing, implementing and monitoring performance management frameworks developing appropriate KPIs and data collation and verification techniques*
11. Understanding of the principles of risk and risk management and demonstrable experience of facilitating and promoting effective risk management in a complex organisation and for major projects.
12. Prior experience of implementing RAID across an organisation’s project community
13. Demonstrable experience of managing public sector funded projects and programmes
14. Experience of working in the public sector and familiarity with funding arrangements
15. Experience of HMT Green Book Business Case model and undertaking business case appraisals
16. Experience of working with central government
17. Managing external contractors and delivering value for money* / A, I,
A,I
A,I
A,I
A,I
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A, I
Skills/Abilities / 18. Ability to build and maintain personal credibility and respect of partners*
19. Ability to communicate and work effectively with a broad spectrum including executives, senior management including Directors and Chief Executive, political partners, stakeholders and suppliers*
20. The ability to respond to queries and deal with them without always referring to more senior colleagues*
21. A commitment to high quality work.*
22. Ability to work flexibly and in response to the demands of the programme.*
23. Can demonstrate the ability to think strategically and be proactive*
24. Proficient in MS Office suite, and MS Project (or equivalent scheduling tool)*
25. Good understanding of Sharepoint and PPM tools such as Project Server / A, I
A, I
A, I
A
A, I
A, I, (E or P)
A
A
Commitment / 26. An understanding of and a personal commitment to the Vision and Aims of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
27. A commitment to providing a high quality customer service and ensuring service standards are met
28. Commitment to and understanding of equal opportunities / A
A,I
A,I
Other / 29. Knowledge of the key issues facing the City Region
30. Flexible approach to working hours and willingness to work flexibly as and when required.
31. Evidence of quality, time management and organisational skills
32. Ability to attend meetings inside and outside the city region / A,I
A,I
A,I
A,I
Key to Assessment Methods:
I - Interview P - Presentation A - Application E - Exercise T - Test AC – Assessment