PLEASE NOTE - INTERVIEWS:  THURSDAY 25th July 2019

Role Profile 

Stockport is changing for the better through the investment that the Council is making and attracting into the Town Centre. With a £1 billion programme, the look and feel of the Town is improving and the heritage area of the Underbanks in Stockport is a key location for part of this programme.

Stockport Council and Stockport Heritage Trust are celebrating after being awarded £1.8m for their Rediscover the Underbanks project from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to revive part of the Old Town area of the centre.

Working in partnership with property owners, investors and local businesses, the project will focus on the repair and re-use of historic buildings, including the reinstatement of traditional shop fronts and features. At the same time, a range of community-led events and digital platforms will allow new audiences to explore the Underbanks and its history. 

We are looking for an exceptional project manager with an interest, and experience in, successfully delivering heritage property projects to pursue a career with a dynamic, exciting and socially responsible employer. This is a senior role, taking responsibility for representing the Council with local property owners, key stakeholders such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund and for successfully delivering funded outcomes and activity.

Key areas of responsibility include: develop the TH implementation programme; developing, including timetabling and phasing, monitoring and reviewing progress; production of annual performance plan; co-ordinating Steering Group of partner organisations; submission of financial and other monitoring returns; obtaining the necessary authority to progress the programme and projects; ensuring adherence to Council financial and procedural guidelines; develop individual building projects; negotiating grants with building owners; inspection of target buildings and assessing eligible works for grant aid; assisting the development of proposals for re-use and repair; advising on suitable methods of repair and maintenance; assisting Development Control officers dealing with planning applications associated with a project; liaising with the Conservation Officer in respect of any Urgent Works, Repairs Notice procedures; Compulsory Purchase Orders; advising grant applicants about issues of planning and listed building law and procedures; assessment of grant applications, issue of grant approvals and monitoring work on site including adherence to any conditions attached to grant offers; approving payments including financial completion of projects.

You will have extensive experience of successfully managing projects, ideally including external grant funding, and a demonstrable track-record of working effectively with colleagues, partners and key stakeholders. It is essential that candidates have knowledge and understanding of the philosophy and principles of historic building conservation, planning frameworks in relation to listed buildings and conservation areas and the techniques for repairs appropriate to 18th and 19th century buildings. Understanding of architectural history and traditional construction methods in order to evaluate buildings and understand approaches for their repair is needed.

You will have strong organisational, interpersonal and relationship management skills with a good understanding of using IT effectively to manage projects, funding and monitoring returns. This will be complemented by strong programme management capabilities and a desire to make a difference.

Through building relationships with key stakeholders in the system and use of good communication skills you will influence others to place good intelligence at the heart of decision making. 

You will also have a passion for improving the quality of the built environment by improving heritage assets and the public realm, building confidence and capability while simultaneously creating conditions for innovation and a culture of continual learning. 

Applicants need to be agile and flexible; they should be willing and confident in turning their hands to a wide variety of tasks and be comfortable with managing and achieving deadlines.

Stockport MBC is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

Please apply via the application form by Sunday 14th July

Interviews will take place on the afternoon of Wednesday 24th July.  

Please contact Richard Mortimer if you have specific questions regarding the role via email -  richard.mortimer@stockport.gov.uk