Project Manager, Hs2 - Grade 6 - 26681

We’re looking for a Project Manager to join our High Speed Two (HS2) Project Team and help us get the best outcomes for the environment. The successful candidate will work with our other Project Managers to help us to influence the sustainable development of the largest infrastructure project in Europe.

You will work with our Core Team and with Area Teams (including leadership teams) along the route. You’ll be well connected to our National Permitting Service and our National Infrastructure teams, as well as partners at HS2 and within the wider Defra group.

You will help to ensure that environmental risks are successfully managed, and that opportunities to enhance the environment successfully taken. You’ll build strong relationships with key stakeholders and have the confidence for open and honest conversations that solve issues and manage expectations.

The successful candidate will take a leadership role for a number of specific portfolios relating to our response to the project (e.g. risk management/opportunity realisation). You will support the formulation of HS2 specific delivery reports/programmes and financial reports in line with our formal agreement with HS2.

You’ll also be an active member of the West Midlands Area Leadership Group (ALG). You’ll role model our leadership behaviours and help to create an inclusive environment where people can be their best. You will look to share good practice and ways of working, identify opportunities for the business and ways to realise them.

The team works remotely and applicants from across the business are encouraged to apply.

The team

The team provides environmental information and advice to HS2, and co-ordinates our response to permitting applications – including pre-application enquiries and post-development assurance. The role will work hand in hand with our HS2 Manager, our two existing Project Managers, our HS2 Core team (including over twenty functional Specialists), and Area colleagues - and will help to co-ordinate our strategic response to the project.

Experience/skills Required

The following experience would be required:

• Working well remotely, and managing-self
• Managing our reputation
• Strategic problem solving
• Working well with other organisations

The role will also involve the following skills – these can be picked up as part of the job, but any existing experience would be useful:

• Leadership of a remote team
• Working together with wider teams in the EA
• An understanding of work programmes – including horizon scanning
• An understanding of project management principles (including tools and processes)
• An understanding of learning lessons from other projects/plans
• An understanding of programme management
• An understanding of realising environmental enhancement opportunities – under pressure and at pace
• An understanding of how best to manage strategic risks

Contact and additional information

We are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce reflecting the communities we serve and promote equality and diversity in all we do. We welcome flexible working patterns, including job share.

The EA is a Category 1 Responder, responding to serious flood and pollution incidents, protecting the environment, lives and livelihoods of the communities we serve. Everyone has a role to play and we’ll help you identify an incident role that fits your skills

Interviews will take place in the week commencing Monday 17th July.

For more information on the role, or on how we use the capability based application questions, please contact Lindsey Sayner, EA HS2 Manager, using [email protected] or Matt Wales, EA HS2 Project Manager using [email protected]

Closing Date:

18/06/2023, 23:55 hours

Level of security checks required

Basic Check

Competence 1

Focuses on Customers and Partners

Description

(Please note we do not assess CVs. Answers to these questions will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your responses. You have up to 250 words so please use them to tell us what we need to know about you. Consider the use of the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to answer this competency question.)

Definition: Addresses the needs of internal and external customers, provides rapid and effective responses

Question : Please describe how you have worked closely with an external partner or group of stakeholders to successfully deliver a piece of work (plan/programme/project). How did you ensure establish and maintain your relationship with this partner/group, and what was the key to your success?

Competence 2

Influences and Persuades Others

Description

(Please note we do not assess CVs. Answers to these questions will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your responses. You have up to 250 words so please use them to tell us what we need to know about you. Consider the use of the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to answer this competency question.)

Definition: Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.

Question : Tell us about a situation when you had to influence a key player to gain their buy-in or change their mind. What was your approach? What obstacles/barriers did you face? What was your role in securing a successful outcome?

Competence 3

Programme and Project Management

Description

(Please note we do not assess CVs. Answers to these questions will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your responses. You have up to 250 words so please use them to tell us what we need to know about you. Consider the use of the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to answer this competency question.)

Definition: Selects, plans and manages contractors, programmes or events to achieve a set of Environment Agency objectives cost-effectively.

Question : Please describe how you have managed a project that has involved complex issues that need to be overcome, and delivered positive environment results at pace. What was the key to your success?

Competence 4

Leads People

Description

(Please note we do not assess CVs. Answers to these questions will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your responses. This is a blended competency and strength-based question designed to help us learn more about you, your motivations and strengths. You have 250 words and you may choose to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to support your answer.)

Definition: Provides leadership that inspires and motivates others to achieve their personal goals and the goals of the Environment Agency

Question : We are looking for someone with the ability to manage and empower a technical team to deliver a large and fast paced workload. Please describe your leadership style and what you think is most important when leading a diverse team with complex and competing priorities.

Role specific license requirements

A full UK driving licence is preferable but not essential as some travel will be required between buildings and locations to attend meetings

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.