Senior Project Manager – Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service are looking for experienced Senior Project Managers to lead on a number of strategic change projects working within our Strategic Business Change department. We have the following opportunities available for the right candidate:

1 x Permanent Contract

1 x 12 Moth Fixed Term Contract

1 x 6 Month Fixed Term Contract

All three roles are full time, working 37 hours per week. In return, you will receive a competitive salary of £45441 – £48474 (gross) per annum. The role is office based, but there is the availability of some flexible and / or home working, which can be discussed with the successful applicant.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is the largest non-metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service in England. We provide prevention, protection and response services across the counties of Devon and Somerset.

Our vision is that together, we will work to end preventable fire and rescue emergencies, creating a safer world for you and your family. Keeping people safe is what we do, and we owe our fantastic reputation to our highly skilled and motivated workforce.

Do not just take our word for it, here is what the team has to say:

“Joining Devon and Somerset Fire an Rescue Service has been an exceptional experience for me. I am originally from another country, and this is my first job in the United Kingdom. I feel incredibly lucky to have joined this organisation. I received a warm welcome here, and the support from everyone has been remarkable. What stands out the most is the helpfulness of the higher management, who are true leaders. Despite their busy schedules, they have always guided me and helped me settle in, which has been a pleasant surprise. 

Having worked in many companies across different countries, I can confidently say that the work culture at Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is the best. It’s an excellent place for working and learning. If you are passionate about your work, this is the best organisation to be a part of” – Senior Project Manager. 

About the role: 

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Strategic Business Change department, as a Senior Project Manager to support the Programme Manager with strategic developments and tactical deployment in relation to projects.

Through the application of project management skills, this position will be responsible for a number of project deliverables and their associated compliance to time, quality and cost, maintaining a good overview of each project activity, identifying, raising, and resolving issues encountered to ensure the effective delivery of the programme.

The post holder will be personally responsible for establishing an appropriate project team and to ensure that the skills available are continuously monitored to meet the planned stages of the project and/or supplemented by additional resources.

In liaison with Corporate Communications, the post holder will be responsible for for producing and the delivery of the communication to stakeholders, ensuring that Devon and Somerset employees and stakeholders at all levels are informed about the scope, impact and progress of the projects.

We are looking for enthusiastic and proactive individuals, with excellent organisational and project management skills with a proven ability to prioritise, plan and delegate resources to best achieve team’s objectives. This is a unique opportunity yo take up a key role within a fast paced environment. You will be able to help others develop and opportunities for your own CPD are available.

Find out more:

Key responsibilities of the Senior Project Manager role: 

• To support the Programme Manager / or as otherwise appropriate with strategic developments and tactical deployment in relation to the relevant project(s).
• To plan and manage the implementation of the designed specific projects and maintain the relationship with the business owners to deliver the project in accordance with the agreed milestones.
• To influence and guide the Project Board in determination of measurable objectives to be achieved by the project, including vision of outcome of the project and service impact, ensuring these are compatible with the overall corporate objectives of and/or relevant individual Directorates.
• To ensure that the solutions proposed by the project meet the requirements and expectations of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority.
• To establish an appropriate project team, ensure that the skills available are continuously monitored to meet the planned stages of the project and/or supplemented by additional resources.
• To ensure 3rd party plans (e.g. contractors, internal suppliers, Estates, ICT, HR) are incorporated into the designated project phases ensuring the overall direction and timescales are maintained.
• To be responsible for producing and delivery of communications to stakeholders, in liaison with the Corporate Communications section, to ensure that Devon and Somerset employees and stakeholders at all levels are informed about the scope. impact and progress of the projects.
• To provide professional advice, progress reports and position statements as required by the Programme Manager and as appropriate/directed, to the Executive Board/Service Leadership Team.
• To identify and manage the risks and issues associated with the overall programme and defined activities, ensuring that these are escalated to the Programme Manager and, as appropriate, to external agencies.
• To ensure that current business as usual arrangements are maintained until the transition to the new way of working and that contingency arrangements remain in place until the project has been signed off by the business as usual owners.
• To ensure the dependencies / impacts with other projects and other programmes are identified, assessed for impact and clear responsibilities are defined.
• To manage reporting requirements through Integra, MIS and project boards. Identify and secure any short-term funding and identify how longer-term funding will be achieved and by whom.

Benefits: 

Looking after our staff and making sure they are happy at work is important to us. As well as a career where you know you are making a difference – there is a range of benefits such as a generous annual leave allowance that come from working for us. More details can be found here.

Quote from Head of Strategic Business Change

“It is an exciting time for the Strategic Business Change department. The Service is taking proactive steps to improve the way it is working for the benefit of the communities that we serve. We strive for innovation by maximising the teams skills and capabilities by delivering great results. I am extremely proud to be guiding this team of highly skilled professionals and welcome new talent to allow us to grow further” –Head of Strategic Business Change.

If you have any queries or would like to speak to someone to find out more about the role, please contact Robyn Edwards, our Programme Manager at redwards@dsfire.gov.uk

Closing Date: 2359hrs on Sunday 14 July 2024

How to apply:

The successful candidate must, by commencement of employment, have the right to work in the UK.

You will be required to complete an application form and submit a document evidencing how you meet the following essential criteria from the Job Description and Person Specification.

We are not able to shortlist from a CV so please answer the following questions in full, demonstrating how you meet each criteria.

1. Qualified to Prince 2 Practitioner / Professional level or equivalent level of skills and experience.
2. Experience of working in and managing complex projects, with a range of stakeholders who may have competing needs where dependencies have to be managed.
3. Excellent level of verbal communication/presentation skills; including proven ability to influence / change stakeholders views.
4. Experience of risk assessment and management within a project environment.
5. Experience of managing complex budgets with varied reporting requirements.
6. Proven ability to effectively lead and manage a successful team.

To help you complete this part of the application form please find attached below the word document “Senior PM vacancies – essential criteria for completion” for you to download and complete with your evidence for the above criteria. You can then upload this document where requested when completing your application form. Please note there is a maximum of 2000 words (excluding titles) applied to your evidence document.

Evidence submitted in relation to the essential criteria above will be used for shortlisting applications received.

Our values

As a Service and as individuals: 

• We are proud to help
• We are honest
• We are respectful
• We are working together

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service recognise and celebrate the vast diversity of the local communities we serve, and we aspire for this to be reflected in our workforce. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, experience and beliefs, who share our values to consider working for us.