Job Title
Project Manager
Grade
SDS5
Reports To
Corporate Programmes Manager
Location
Monteith House, Glasgow
Contract Status
FTC
Duration
12 Months
Direct Reports
None
Directorate/Team
Service Development & Delivery/Corporate Programmes
Purpose of the Job:
This role will report to the Corporate Programmes Manager and lead on development and implementation of a new system to support core service delivery
for SDS. The Project Manager will be responsible for all project management activity including project planning, change management, managing project
interdependencies affecting the project, project reporting, project benefits planning and realisation, project resources and budget. While the role will
require close liaison with Enterprise Information Systems (EIS ) and an external supplier ,this is not a Technical Project Manager role, but more focused on
the changes to the SDS Service Offer and change management of impacts to our staff, customers and stakeholders of that change.
Organisational Context:
As Scotland’s skills body, SDS is central to driving the success of Scotland's economy. Working with partners, we aim to create a Scotland where:
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employers are able to recruit the right people with the right skills at the right time
employers have high performing, highly productive, fair and equal workplaces
people have the right skills and confidence to secure good work and progress in their careers
there is greater equality of opportunity for all
We do this by delivering services for individuals and employers that help them to achieve their ambitions.
With a significant role in supporting the Government’s agenda for economic development and growth, career management skills and youth employment, our
strategy is to develop our services to meet changing economic and customer demands. The organisation is tasked with achieving this in an external
environment which has high customer expectations about the quality and responsiveness of public services and where the general public expect, and
demand, good value for money, robust stewardship of public funds and a high degree of openness and transparency.
These expectations are reflected in the ambitions we have for our own organisation. We aim to be an employer of choice and recognised for excellence and
customer focus. As part of this, we are committed to continuous improvement and to using our combined strengths to deliver the best outcomes for our
customers and for SDS. Through a sharper focus on the principles of everyday leadership, we are an organisation with values that promote self motivation,
personal responsibility and respect amongst our colleagues and our partners.
Job Context:
In conjunction with the Head of Service, and under the direction of the Service Development Committee, Service Development Programme Board and FIPS
Programme Board, the Project Manager will work with directorates and teams across SDS and engage with members of the Executive Leadership Group,
the Business Management Team and the Project Teams that have been established to support delivery of any Project Work.
The Project Manager will co-ordinate and support the operation of Project Teams
He/She will draft and present reports to the Programme Board and other Boards and Committees involved in the overall governance structure for the
work. He / She will develop and maintain influential relationships with internal departments and external partners required for the successful delivery of
the Programme. He / She will lead commissioning activities to support project delivery.
Dimensions of the Job:
Direct reports – none
Budget management responsibilities £1.6m
Working Relationships and Key Contacts:
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Corporate Programmes Team
Programme Board and related Project Teams
Enterprise Information Systems
External Supplier
SDS Business Management Team
Service Development Programme Board
SDS Internal Directorates including; Service Design and Innovation, Finance, Marketing and Communications, etc
SDS Key Stakeholders including; Local Authorities; Schools; Colleges; Private Training Providers; Universities; Employers; Scottish Government;
Education Scotland
Key Accountabilities:
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Develop and maintain the Project Plan exercising change control when appropriate to ensure that agreed project timescales are adhered to
Direct and monitor the work of project teams and work streams within the programme to ensure that the Project delivers on time, to budget and that
project interdependencies are identified and actively managed
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Identify and manage problems, risks and issues which may affect the successful delivery of the Project , initiating or escalating corrective action as
appropriate
Work with the Head of Service and Programme Manager to ensure all change is embedded across the organisation to enable realisation of benefits
Manage the Project Governance to ensure that Programme and Project management procedures are adhered to within a formal governance structure
and support the running of the Project, completing all required reporting
Manage all aspects of the project resourcing and budget management to ensure that the Project is kept on track and that delivery is within the
allocated budgets
Support all aspects of communication related to Projects, including the preparation of papers for various Board and Committees
Reporting progress against all plans at a directorate level and to the relevant project meetings, boards and other external bodies
Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and represent the Project at relevant meetings
Maintain awareness of the national policy agenda that influences the successful delivery of the Project
Manage and administer the Projects budget by monitoring expenditure and costs against delivered and realised benefits across all projects within the
project
Develop and maintain a resourcing plan for Projects, including a RAG report on all key activity
Manage third party contributions to Projects
Take responsibility for the management and maintenance of the Projects risk register
Ensure project management methodologies are deployed to achieve service standards, identifying milestones, measures, impact and outcomes
Knowledge, Skills Experience & Qualifications (need to know)
Essential
Behaviours (need to be)
Essential
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Extensive Project Management experience preferably within a
structured programme or portfolio environment
Proven track record of managing large complex projects within agreed
timescales
Experience of managing business change projects around a significant IT
deliverable
Good knowledge and experience of budget management
Analytical thinker able to interpret information and statistical
performance analysis for both internal and external purposes
Experience of working closely with key stakeholders
Good knowledge of techniques for planning, monitoring and controlling
Projects
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Excellent communication and presentation skills with an ability to build
strong relationships at all levels
Good commercial acumen and focused to achieve results
Strong interpersonal and influencing skills to ensure the most effective
and efficient delivery of the Project
Ability to foster a culture of trust and co-operation and team working
Solutions-focused with excellent problem-solving, analytical and critical
thinking skills
Highly effective internal and external networker
Sound business case development and approvals skills
Excellent planning and organisational skills
Good decision making skills
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Experience of procurement and commissioning processes including
negotiation with 3rd parties
Accustomed to delivering in demanding and high paced organisations
People management experience
Confident and competent in all IT applications in particular Microsoft
Office applications including MS Project and Visio
Good knowledge of Project management methods including PRINCE2 ,
APMP , PMP or equivalent PM methodologies
Knowledge, Skills Experience & Qualifications (need to know)
Desirable
 Able to demonstrate experience in change management projects
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Strong customer focus
Highly motivated/enthusiastic and driven
High level of personal resilience able to remain effective in changing
business circumstances
Behaviours (need to be)
Desirable
 Experience of working in an innovative environment