Please note, the recruitment for this role is being administered by the Local Government Association on behalf of Local Partnerships LLP
About Local Partnerships
Local Partnerships LLP is jointly owned by the Local Government Association, HM Treasury and the Welsh Government. We occupy a unique position in the public sector, facilitating change through working impartially and collaboratively across all parts of central, local and regional government, and devolved administrations.
Our vision is as simple as it is challenging: to strengthen the public sector to deliver more effectively, achieve more swiftly, and give value for money to the taxpayer and customer.
Our impact report for 2020-2021 can be found at: https://localpartnerships.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Local_Partnerships_impact-report_2020-21_v1-2.pdf
We provide support across England and Wales, working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) managing its Waste Infrastructure Delivery Programme (WIDP) and with the Welsh Government in their Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Division, assisting in the shaping and delivery of their ambitious Waste Infrastructure Investment Programme. We also provide bespoke support and advice to Local Authorities as needed.
To support this programme, we are seeking to increase our capacity and there is a need to recruit two Project Directors, with significant experience in Resource and Waste management ideally at a senior level in Local Government or industry.
We would particularly welcome applications from individuals who currently hold senior commercial and/or financial roles within local government. We will also consider part time working arrangements if this is required.
About the role
Project Directors are responsible for the successful delivery of a major stream of business activity for Local Partnerships. You may work on your own but will more often form part of a team of different specialists undertaking an assignment stretching over weeks or months, or occasionally years, for a client who will typically be a central government department or one or more councils.
The role is assigned to a programme area headed by a Programme Director. While every assignment is different, Project Directors typically bring their professional expertise and project management skills to bear on complex projects and problems and ensure the Local Partnerships’ quality standards are met in completing the assignment on time and budget.
You need to understand decision-making in the public sector, including the role of elected politicians, in addition to their professional expertise. Almost all assignments involve preparing reports containing complex written and analytical information for the client, so excellent communications skills are vital. Knowledge transfer to the client is a key part of the role.
The role may be based anywhere in the UK. You will need to travel to clients’ offices around the country.
About you
- Educated to a degree standard, with professional qualifications appropriate to the role
- Extensive experience advising procuring authorities (at senior and contract management level) of contractual, commercial and operational issues
- Detailed knowledge of government (local and central) procurement methods and contracts, strategic and commercial management, outsourcing, governance issues and change management
- Substantial experience of working on high profile complex projects with a track record of effective delivery
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and management skills including the ability to deliver solutions that meet collective needs and communicate in a variety of different ways
- Able to specify, create and manage effective teams within organisational structures to deliver projects and commissions
From a specific Resource and Waste Programme perspective, we are looking for:
- A member of a recognised professional body such as CIWM
- Experience and expertise in the delivery of Resource and Waste programmes and projects, including detailed understanding of the waste treatment and collection sectors, provider positions (in-house or outsourced)
- A detailed understanding of relevant sector specific legislation and guidance and its implementation
- Experience of working on the procurement of large waste treatment infrastructure projects or services contracts for local government clients
- Experience of developing business cases using the Treasury’s five case model
- Experience of risk management approaches, and ability to identify and mitigate risks
- Experience working with and advising local or central government stakeholders in the implementation of resource and waste strategy or policy
- Experience of working with external parties such as researchers, consultants, the general public and other stakeholders including providing support to raise the profile of Resource and Waste
- Knowledge of waste treatment infrastructure in particular energy from waste, material recovery and anaerobic digestion
- Ability to understand and interpret bespoke waste and resource models
Closing Date: 5pm, Monday 16 May 2022
Interview Date: to be confirmed, by the end of May 2022
We value diversity and encourage applications from all sections of the community, regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, transgender identity, religion or belief