Senior Project Manager

Are you looking for an exciting and challenging project delivery role where you can contribute to the safety of Scotland’s communities?

Are you a proactive person in your approach to work with a desire to achieve outstanding service improvements?

Do you want to develop yourself whilst being part of a supportive multi-disciplinary team?

This is a fantastic opportunity to champion user centred service design in an exciting portfolio, programme, project and change management environment in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. There are several Senior Project Manager posts available, including permanent and 23-month fixed term opportunities, working 35 hours per week.

The successful candidates will be based in the Portfolio Office, supporting a number of areas. Firstly, the Strategic Service Review Programme (SSRP) which is an ambitious, complex, multi-project programme which aims to transform how the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service delivers its services to become the modern sustainable service Scotland needs.

Scotland has changed and we know that some of our stations and appliances are located based on historical risks that no longer exist. At the same time, we have many ageing buildings that are no longer fit for purpose and require urgent action. Through SSRP, we want to address some of these operational challenges we face and free up or redistribute our resources to invest in other areas such as training, innovation, and prevention. Putting our people at the heart of the redesign, you will have a key role in ensuring success of the Programme.

Secondly, a Project Manager will be working in the Programme and Project Delivery team working on a range of different projects aimed at improving the ways of working at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and delivery of real benefit to our end users.

This is a full-time post however applications from individuals seeking to work on a part time, job share or flexible working basis would be considered.

We are happy to talk flexible working and already offer this for a number of roles in the organisation, meaning that many of our employees enjoy the freedom of choosing a working pattern that suits them as much as it suits the organisation. The Portfolio Office team are hybrid working, with the main office base being our SFRS Headquarters in Cambuslang. The successful candidate will be able to enjoy a mix of working from home, base location or other SFRS location as required by their role and key activities. 

The Senior Project Manager’s role is to undertake the programme / project management and governance of major business / strategic projects, within Portfolio Office. The Senior Project Manager will work within industry recognised project management methodologies and will provide advice and guidance to internal managers on project management issues.

The role will provide guidance and leadership in allocated programme / projects, will require developing relationships with relevant staff, suppliers, and key stakeholders to ensure adequate support is provided and apply project management best practices appropriately.

The role will cover all aspects of project management including project team development and management, project planning, reporting of progress and exceptions (cost, time, quality etc.) in line with governance procedures, conduct and management of project meetings and proactive management and reporting of project and programme dependencies, risks and issues to Programme / Project Leads, Head of Portfolio Office, Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) and internal stakeholders.

A key and significant aspect of the role is to collate, manage and report on the wide range of workstream activities and work packages within Programmes / Projects. The Senior Project Manager will also contribute to the development and implementation of Portfolio Office strategies, policies and procedures in the project management field and will play a significant role in raising and maintaining a positive profile for Portfolio Office within the wider organisation. They will also be responsible for supporting project / workstream leads and contributors.

The essential criteria we will be looking for includes evidence of being educated to degree level in an appropriate discipline or equivalent experience, Prince 2 Practitioner or PMI or equivalent qualification, significant experience of managing large complex and technical or development projects, evidence of continued professional development, Skills and experience in at least 3 of the following areas: Programme Management, Prince 2 Practitioner, Business Analysis, Business Case Development, Software Development, SharePoint Site Development, Personal resilience and capacity to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines and organisational priorities.

The desirable criteria, a qualification in Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) or Service Design experience, experience of public sector procurement, Better Business Cases Foundation, experience of working within a formal quality environment, experience of working within an emergency services environment, knowledge of broad industry trends and technology shifts, flexibility in working arrangements (willing to work outwith ‘normal’ working hours and travel when needed)

Full details of the role and our recruitment process can be found in the attached information pack. 

Salary on appointment will normally be at the lower salary point, with progression subject to regular review - in line with the SFRS performance appraisal arrangements.  A higher salary placing will be considered in exceptional circumstances subject to experience demonstrated.

This post is also subject to the provision of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exclusions and Exemptions) Scotland Order 2013. Therefore, the successful candidate's will be subject to a Standard Disclosure record check through Disclosure Scotland.The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is an Equal Opportunities employer and encourage applications from all sectors of the community. In addition, we are committed to being a “Disability Confident Employer” and will ensure that all applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role are invited for interview.

If you would like to apply in a different format, please email People Services at SFRS.PODVacancies@firescotland.gov.uk.

Please note, a fully completed application form must be submitted as SFRS do not accept CVs in support of applications for employment.