Assistant Project Director

The NSW Government is investing $8.6 billion over the next 4 years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW.

They are currently looking to engage an Assistant Project Director for a 12 month contract based in Sydney CBD.

The Assistant Project Director will assist the Project Director and project team through project governance and formation to deliver major capital works outcomes. From time to time the Assistant Project Director may manage non-complex projects with guidance from Project Directors and Senior Project directors.

Key accountabilities:

• Support Senior Project Director (SPD) and/or Project Director (PD) to lead, motivate and mentor members of the project team to build commitment to shared goals, develop effective working relationships, and create a customer focused culture.
• Support SPD and/or PD to direct, lead and mentor team members, monitor and review staff performance, foster ongoing professional development and ensure staff have the knowledge, skills and support to achieve their performance objectives to drive high performance, best practice and continuous improvement.
• Manage the project team to ensure achievement of the key accountabilities in their scope of service.
• Support and/or manage a portfolio of projects, with accountability for:
• Developing procurement and contracting strategies and ensuring alignment with procurement policy, with a focus on the end user, value for money, project timing, innovation and future use.
• Managing the payments of consultants and contractors in accordance with legislation and contracts.
• Planning and managing the forward works project procurement, including engaging consultants and contractors responsible for delivering individual projects and ensuring the best quality services for NSW Schools.
• Provide timely and accurate project reporting, including cash flows, program milestones, and critical ministerial reporting.
• Ensure compliance of the project team with SINSW systems, tools and processes.
• Evaluate and manage the progress and performance of projects using program management tracking and monitoring systems, guidelines, policies, and processes.
• Develop project briefs, project plans and risk management plans for individual projects. Prepare information promptly in succinct and plain English to suit NSW Government briefing and communication requirements. Tailor information to suit relevant audiences to communicate complex information clearly.
• Ensure the correct statutory planning approval pathway is identified and undertaken for individual projects and programs, including consultation with relevant statutory authorities.
• Provide mentoring and guidance to ensure personal and organisational development objectives are achieved and provide team building direction and support to create a positive work environment.
• Manage external Project Manager and Cost Manager to ensure contractual obligations are met by service providers, design teams and building contractors.
• Ensure probity processes relating procurement and contracting arrangements are in place, undertaken and reviewed. Oversee the payment of consultants and contractors in accordance with legislation and contracts.
• Ensure compliance with Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation and compliance with the Department’s WHS policy and procedures.
• Support and maintain constructive and collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Actively identify, manage and record emerging risks that might impede the successful achievement of project outcomes.
• Identify and record key lessons learned in support of SINSW’s continuous improvement.
• Work with Community Engagement team, in accordance with agreed Community Engagement Plan to identify stakeholders and manage communications and engagement on the project. This includes managing expectations of key school community stakeholders and keeping these stakeholders updated regarding project status.

Challenges associated with the role:

• Supporting the SPD and PD to deliver SINSW projects within defined timeframes, within budget in a commercial environment.
• Supporting the SPD and PD to manage and coordinate projects in conjunction with key internal and external stakeholders. This may include but is not restricted to government agencies, councils, school communities, other areas of the Department, Minister’s Office, and other key stakeholders.
• Ensuring alignment of project planning and delivery with relevant internal policies and frameworks.
• Ensuring the probity of procurement transactions, including the awarding of capital consultant, construction services and construction contracts.
• Identification, mitigation and escalation of project risks
• Problem solving and managing competing priorities in a complex and fast-paced environment.
• Supporting the management of a team, including Project Officers. This team may be managed remotely depending on the location of projects.
• Ensuring correct governance processes are followed on projects.
• Ensuring construction projects do not significantly impact school operations.

Communication:

• Department of Education
• Local Council
• Local school community groups 
• Private sector contractors and consultants

Selection criteria:

• Relevant tertiary and/or post graduate qualifications in Construction, Engineering, Project Management or related fields.
• 7+ years’ of relevant project planning and delivery experience, preferably gained in a large, complex and decentralized work environment.
• Assisting in the management of a portfolio of projects with individual value of less than $75M:
  i. Proven experience in the successful project management of construction projects to a value of more than $10 million in a commercial environment.
  ii. Proven experience in delivering projects with multiple simultaneous phases and/or at multiple discrete locations.
  iii. Proven experience in managing projects with individual values over $10m
• Assisting in the managing major projects with individual value of greater than $75M:
  i. Proven experience in the successful planning and/ or delivery of construction projects to a value of more than $75M.
  ii. Proven experience in delivering projects with multiple simultaneous phases and/or at multiple discrete locations.
• Proven experience of long duration delivery projects, typically up to 3 years, with several influential stakeholders and a potential for conflict.
• Proven experience in a diverse team environment, requiring effective collaboration with other support functions.
• Ability to apply guidelines, standards and processes which are generally clear and established, but have potential for ambiguity in some areas.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the Department's Aboriginal Education policies and Code of Conduct.
• Current driver’s license.

If you are interested in a confidential discussion regarding this role, please forward an up to date copy of your resume to Jessica.Howlin@cgcrecruitment.com or call Jessica now on 0282524001.