About the job

Job summary

For jobs located in Wales, the ability to speak Welsh is desirable

From the design and development of policies to the delivery of services supporting work, welfare, pensions and child maintenance, DWP is the Government’s largest department.

People are at the very heart of what we do. We ensure disabled people can live more independent lives; help tackle poverty and homelessness; provide a financial foundation for a secure old age; and support families ensuring children can fulfil their potential.

DWP has the largest commercial estate in government and our team is committed to being smaller, greener and better – helping people to work, grow and thrive. Our estate provides accommodation for colleagues who support millions of daily customer interactions in Jobcentres and Health Assessment centres, back of house offices delivering frontline services and hub sites housing expert functions such as Policy, Finance, Digital and HR.

The DWP Estates function ensures the smooth and efficient operation of this network on a day-to-day basis. We manage a private sector supply chain that delivers essential services such as security guarding, maintenance, property and leasehold, construction, cleaning and facilities management. Many of these services are business critical and we cannot safely open our offices without them. 

Our ambitions are to:

• Transition to a smaller, more affordable, and adaptable estate
• Invest in improving DWP’s buildings and infrastructure, conducted mainly through an extensive programme of planned replacement works 
• Meet our agreed Government Greening Commitments - creating a culture where sustainability is embedded
• Expertly deliver cost effective services
• Create a professional working culture that is best in class across the Government Property world.

There is no better time to join us as we transform our estate and make our buildings fit for the future.

This Real Estate specialist role will work closely with project related supplier partners with a key responsibility in the oversight of how operational Project Management services (excluding major projects) are delivered across the portfolio, along with budget challenge and approval for projects. 

This role will manage and continue to improve a robust process to ensure long term strategic DWP sites are fit for purpose, allowing maximum occupation to support the Authorities business.

The scope of the investment activity includes ‘critical asset’ replacements and enhancements (such as boilers, heating/cooling systems, lifts, roofing etc.) across the DWP’s large, complex and varied portfolio. A typical annual programme will comprise in excess of 200 ‘master’ Lifecycle projects delivery a total investment in excess of £50M. The programme has sustainability at its core and is a key enabler in driving a greener estate. Typical you will lead the delivery of multiple sustainability related initiatives such as LED lighting and Air Source Heat Pump installations.  You will share this portfolio with 2 other Senior Programme Managers.

Job description

Government Property Profession Career Framework (Link)

This role sits within the following:

• Job Family – Property & Construction Projects
• Core Role – Property & Construction Project Management
• Level – Senior Practitioner

Key accountabilities

• Working in partnership with the DWP Estates Strategy & Portfolio Planning, Asset Management and Project Teams to ensure a holistic, cost-effective approach to the planning and delivery of major critical asset replacement and lifecycle works programmes in line with Departmental strategy.
• Act as a key stakeholder contributing, challenging and validating asset investment strategic planning and budget setting which develops a robust and viable multiple year Investment Plan, and understand and deliver the agreed outputs within an agreed budget allocation.
• Deliver the agreed outputs by producing and obtaining agreement on the annual (Financial Year) Lifecycle Delivery Plan.
• Accountable for the effective management and successful delivery to time, cost & schedule of the agreed Annual Lifecycle Delivery Plan (ensuring consequences and dependencies are effectively managed). Control lifecycle and variation expenditure and income to meet agreed budgets and to maximise efficiencies whilst achieving the required quality standards
• Actively build and maintain a network of colleagues and internal & external key interfaces in the supply chain to provide a fit-for-purpose and accurate suite of MI, data, reports and forecasts capturing delivery, risk and financial metrics.
• Accountable/responsible for ensuring the Department’s lifecycle management strategy is pro-active, cost-effective and successfully delivers in line with contractual timescales whilst welcoming and responding to views and challenges of others despite any conflicting pressures.
• Ensure the Lifecycle Works Programme is delivered in compliance with all legislative, Health & Safety, contractual requirements and relevant building/engineering standards.
• Provide key stakeholder management as required to support the planning and delivery of the Lifecycle Works Programme.
• Ensure the provision and appropriate discharge of Health and Safety responsibilities in accordance with statutory and Authority requirements.
• Provide input and challenge to ensure that workplace and technical design standards are compliant.
• Liaise closely and build effective working relationships with Estates Commercial/Category Management, Cost Management, Performance and Audit and Finance BP as required.
• Contribute to the procurement of professional services consultants and works contractors to undertake inspections, detailed design and works delivery. Review supplier full tender documents and conduct analysis in conjunction with good industry practice.
• Own, and regularly review robust progress, technical and financial management and reporting regime, ensuring appropriate governance, audit and commercial approval arrangements are in place.
• Proactively demonstrate the DWP values and Estates ‘One Team’ culture to all service partners.

Person specification

Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Extensive experience within a property profession discipline.
• Working knowledge of building condition surveys and asset management.
• Strong Commercial experience gained within a property, facilities management or project delivery function within a large, matrix organisation.
• A proven track record in leading key stakeholders towards commercial solutions that give a balance of optimal commercial performance whilst delivering on business strategy.
• High level management of key suppliers, able to support negotiations, management or escalation issues, and engage in key decision making that has strategic consequences. 
• Experience of project or programme management - excellent organisational skills supported by robust planning and prioritisation.
• Proven ability to interpret and analyse data to inform decision making.
• Understanding and complying with real estate and related statutory, regulatory and professional requirements
• Experience of financial management, spend forecasting and programme cost control procedures and reporting requirements to deliver maximum value for money
• Robust management of Contractors and professional services suppliers.
• Sound judgement, initiative and prioritisation skills, the ability to operate in a fast-paced environment and work to challenging timescales.

Qualifications/professional memberships

Desirable

• Working towards CIPS (Level 6), with a preference if already held, or
• Working towards IWFM (Levels 4-5) or other relevant construction industry professional membership, with a preference if already held

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

This role is suitable for a hybrid working arrangement, a type of flexible working arrangement, blending a combination of all workplace options (including home) with an office identified as a base and which remains the contractual place of work.  Hybrid working means an employee working part of the week in their DWP office and, part of the week from home.

Hybrid workers will spend a minimum of 40% of their time in the office over a four-week period. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. This means that colleagues’ experiences of hybrid working will differ.  Also, any employee’s experience of hybrid working could change over time as role requirements and possibly personal circumstances change.

Successful candidates will be posted in merit order based on your location preferences and the geographical requirements of the business

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement of no more than 1000 words against the essential criteria as outlined above. You will also be asked to provide a short CV. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. Your CV should be fairly short and just evidence very brief details of your work history and experience.  Please do not submit a speculative application where you do not meet at least 50% of the essential criteria as these applications will be unsuccessful. Do not include Behaviour examples within your application as these will not be assessed in the sift and will only be used at interview stage. There will be an initial sift of applications based on the Personal Statement only, so please ensure you evidence how you meet the Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience requirement contained in the vacancy in this section. This will form a short list for interview. STAGE 2 - INTERVIEW All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will undertake a single virtual video interview. The interview will follow a blended approach which will help us assess candidates Behaviours and Strengths. Currently the sift is scheduled to take place w/c 8 January 2024 and interviews w/c 22 January 2024. Interviews are scheduled to take place virtually and dates are subject to change. Further Information Find out more about Working for DWP A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Any move to DWP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.  In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Disclosure Scotland on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.  For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.  A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.  The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action. Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing. New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. Reasonable Adjustment At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce. We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via DWPrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.