Job Description
Job Title:
Projects Manager
Section (optional):
Projects
Department:
Facilities Management
Directorate:
Zoological
Responsible to:
Deputy Facilities Manager
Current job holder:
Vacant
Approved by:
Head of Department:
Job Description
Key Purpose of the Job
This post is required to enable minor projects & major projects (<£500K to £6m) to be procured and
managed through their life cycle, this fits into the wider Projects department strategy where projects
greater than £500K will be overseen by the Senior Project Manager with operational day to day
responsibility sitting with the Project Manager. This post will report to the Deputy Facilities Manager
but this structure would allow a clear delineation of work and responsibility. There is a strong
element of liaison with the animal department where this role is key to the success of any animal
related projects.
Responsibility for Resources
People
The role of the Projects Manager is to produce specifications, plan, cost and oversee construction
and installation work in all areas and departments of ZSL London within agreed timeframes as
directed by the Senior Project Manager, in addition the post holder is to ensure that all Health &
Safety regulations and any ZSL security & safety procedures are in place and adhered to prior to
commencement of any job or project.
Ensuring compliance with the current CDM regulations is also a requirement for any job or project.
Animal Related Project Liaison
 Liaise directly and work with animal teams to achieve project goals
 Act as co-ordinator between project teams and animal teams for all animal exhibits and
project works
 Support and maintain good relationships between key stakeholders and project group
 Liaise and report any issues to Zoological Director and Deputy FM on key decisions for
animal related projects
 Be available to report to Directors when requested on PM works
Other
 No direct budgetary responsibility. The post holder will have an indirect responsibility on
budgets by obtaining costs for budgetary approval.
 Confidentiality is required on all matters that are attaining to ZSL.
 The quality of the post holder’s work can have an indirect effect on animal care e.g. quality
of work within animal enclosures and by specification of materials.
Main duties and key responsibilities
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Job holder would work across the Facilities Management offices at both London &
Whipsnade Zoo.
The job holder will be co-ordinating jobs and projects to completion involving the production
of specifications, plans, detailed costs and oversee construction and installation work within
agreed timeframes.
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The job holder will be required to ensure that health & safety paperwork is in place for each
job or project e.g. method statements, risk assessments, Permits to Work, Safe Systems of
Work and compliance with CDM regulations.
The job holder may be asked to carry out some routine health & safety inspections and
record their findings.
To receive oral or written instruction for each job or project and to investigate the site
where this is to be carried out.
To ascertain the materials required and to request these from the Facilities department
supplies buyer or to source and order the materials themselves through agreement with
their line manager.
To discuss and make arrangements with the appropriate departmental staff for carrying out
the job or project.
To ascertain the exact specifications for the job possibly by discussion with Facilities
department managers, Directors and possibly the Director General on project specific
questions or other ZSL staff and from working drawings or plans.
To refer any problems to the Senior Project Manager, Deputy Facilities Manager or
department managers, discuss with other ZSL staff or non ZSL staff.
To undertake and assist other staff within the Facilities department.
To undertake minor projects and works as directed by the Senior Project Manager or Deputy
Project Manager
To use all equipment and materials in accordance with Health & Safety guidelines.
Building relationships
 The role is key to ensure that liaison with the animal teams is successful.
 Communication is oral / written with internal staff in all departments of ZSL London Zoo, at
all levels. Communication is generally straight forward although can be of a technical nature
when producing specifications and technical reports. Externally the post holder will liaise
with contractors, architects, governing bodies whilst working on both sites, and at times
with visitors.
 The Zoo image can be affected by the post holder’s dealings with visitors and the media.
While in dealings with internal personnel at all levels, Zoo costs and operational efficiency is
influenced, the post holder also has a requirement to liaise with ZSL personnel, contractors,
architects and governing bodies. A good working relationship is required between all
parties.
 The post holder is responsible for checking on the quality of their work and also has some
responsible for non ZSL staff e.g. Contractors, architects and governing bodies whilst on the
ZSL London Zoo site.
Mental Demands
 Work is allocated to the post holder who, in most cases, decides how to tackle it, sometimes
with the help of specifications and drawings. There is consultation within the team
regarding the work plan. From time to time the post holder is requested to change work
priorities. Routine decisions are made daily, based either on personal experience, own
initiative or following discussions with the Facilities department management and the Senior
Projects Manager along with keepers or other ZSL personnel.
 Many tasks involve original thought. Common problems arising are usually technical in
nature and are solved independently using past experience and knowledge and there is a
need for designs and specifications to be created. On occasion, help will be sought from the
Facilities department management regarding unusual problems.
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There is a need to be alert at all times, but a particularly high level of concentration is
required when creating designs and specifications and specific detail needs to be paid to the
completing of method statements and risk assessments.
Flexibility
 Tasks cover a wide range of activities. The number of interruptions daily is very variable.
These are from internal or external sources, usually the Facilities department management
or other ZSL personnel. Depending on priorities, the post holder will either respond
immediately or deal with the matter at a later date. The post holder may be asked to carry
out tasks outside of their general duties.
 There is also a requirement to sometimes work outside of contracted hours.
Working Conditions
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The post holder is required to work within an open plan office environment; they will also be
required to attend meetings on site. In addition regular visits to the projects sites both
internally and externally will be required, this may sometime include adverse weather
conditions, they are also exposed to dirt (in animal houses), personal risk (especially with
machines); noise (e.g. machinery) and pollution (e.g. dust).
Expectations of job holder
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To ensure that the policy for equality of opportunity is adhered to and promoted in all aspects of
the post holder’s work.
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To ensure effective quality control and continuous improvement in all aspects of the work and
responsibilities attached to this post.
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Demonstrate professionalism towards sensitive and confidential information.
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To comply with and promote Health and Safety policies and procedures and to undertake
recommended Health and Safety training as and when necessary.
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To be committed to professional self-development, through participation in in-service training as
necessary for the successful carrying out of the job.
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To undertake such other duties as are commensurate with the grade of the post.
NB: This job description is designed to outline a range of main duties that may be encountered. It is
not designed to be an exhaustive list of tasks and can be varied in consultation with the post holder
in order to reflect changes in the job or the organisation.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Experience
The post holder must have obtained a City and Guilds or NVQ Level 2 or equivalent qualification
within a building trade. Ideally the candidate would have a relevant project management
qualification such as PRINCE or APM is advantageous.
The post holder must be able to demonstrate suitable knowledge in construction & maintenance
practices and procedures through formal qualifications or experience.
Knowledge
Knowledge of working in very unique environments will assist the post holder to engage and
understand how the Zoos function, with particular attention to working with the animal teams.
The post holder will be required to have experience within building, maintenance and construction
working practices and procedures. The post holder will also require having sufficient experience or
knowledge in computer software applications e.g. Microsoft Office applications.
Skills & Abilities
When dealing with internal personnel at all levels, the post holder must use tact and diplomacy in
order to get the co-operation from personnel within their team and with all staff and visitors on the
ZSL London & Whipsnade Zoo sites, the post holder will also have to liaise with non ZSL personnel
e.g. Contractors, architects and governing bodies.
Other Requirements
There may be a requirement to work late evenings, early mornings and weekends depending on
requirements.
Also, there post holder will be required to work as a Emergency Duty Manager on a rotational basis.