Hays
Estates Project Manager
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You will be joining a multi-site education Trust based in Devon, supporting its Estates and Facilities function during a period of absence. The Trust manages a varied portfolio of schools and has a significant programme of capital investment, condition, compliance, and estates improvement projects underway.
The main base for the role will be Sowton, Exeter, with travel to school sites across Devon as required. There is flexibility to work from home by agreement, although this will not be a fully remote position.
Your new role
As Temporary Estates Project Manager, you will provide interim support to the Trust's Estates Project Management function, helping to plan, coordinate, and deliver a varied portfolio of capital, maintenance, and improvement works.
Acting at client-side project management level, you will work closely with school leadership teams, consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered safely, on programme, within budget, and in accordance with Trust requirements.
The current programme includes projects ranging from smaller works requiring a three-quote procurement process through to major capital schemes valued at £1m+, as well as involvement in a significant £20m DfE-funded project. Depending on the contract duration and priorities at the time, you may support projects including roofing, heating, cladding remediation, SEND facilities, sports facilities, science accommodation, and other condition improvement work.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Managing multiple estates, construction, refurbishment, and improvement projects from inception through to completion and handover.
- Developing project scopes, plans, programmes, and supporting documentation.
- Monitoring project budgets, expenditure, risks, milestones, and delivery.
- Acting as the key client-side contact for contractors, consultants, schools, and other stakeholders.
- Chairing and attending project meetings as required.
- Monitoring contractor and consultant performance.
- Reviewing surveys, technical information, cost reports, and valuations.
- Raising orders, supporting invoice approval, and maintaining accurate financial trackers.
- Procuring smaller works, including preparing scopes, obtaining quotations, and following the Trust's procurement processes.
- Ensuring appropriate health & safety, construction compliance, governance, and audit requirements are maintained.
- Providing regular progress updates to the Head of Estates and Facilities.
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What you'll need to succeed
You will be an experienced estate, Construction, or Property Project Manager with a strong track record of managing multiple projects across occupied sites.
You should be able to demonstrate:
- Experience managing construction, refurbishment, maintenance, capital, or estates improvement projects.
- Strong client-side project management skills.
- Experience managing contractors, consultants, and multiple stakeholders.
- The ability to manage several projects simultaneously at different stages of delivery.
- Experience monitoring project budgets, programmes, costs, and risks.
- A good understanding of procurement processes and the ability to prepare scopes and obtain quotations.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Strong organisation, reporting, and project documentation skills.
- The ability to work independently and prioritise effectively.
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Experience within schools, education, local government, or the wider public sector would be advantageous but is not essential. However, you will need a good understanding of procurement requirements.
An understanding of construction contracts and project delivery processes would also be beneficial. This is a client-side role, so detailed contractor or consultant-level technical expertise is not required.
A relevant qualification such as PRINCE2, APM, or equivalent would be desirable.
What you'll get in return
This is an excellent opportunity to take on a varied Temporary Estates Project Manager position, with exposure to a significant programme of capital, maintenance, and estates improvement projects across a multi-site education estate.
The role is expected to be an initial 3-6 month assignment, with the possibility of extension depending on ongoing requirements.
You will primarily be based in Sowton, Exeter, with travel to school sites across Devon as required. There is flexibility to work from home by agreement, although this will not be a fully remote role.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job, you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk.
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