Job title: Project Manager
Salary: £49,764 to £52,805
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Merrion House, Leeds (hybrid working is offered)

Internal vacancy. Applications will only be considered from existing Leeds City Council employees.

Leeds is a fast developing, ambitious and growing city with a large programme of investment in major projects to improve sustainable transport, air quality and public health across the city. In 2021, Leeds adopted its Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy, which sets out our vision for Leeds to be a city where you don’t need a car in which everyone has an affordable, zero carbon choice in how they travel.

The strategy also explains how we plan to tackle the climate emergency, deliver inclusive growth and improve health and wellbeing. Leading on the implementation of all communication activities linked to the delivery of this strategy and capital programme will be a key part of this role, which is essential to our future success as a city. Join our dynamic, multi-disciplinary team of professionals and help contribute to creating a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly transport system for Leeds.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you
As a Project Manager for Connecting Leeds, you will bring to the role:

• An ability to successfully manage a multidisciplinary team.
• An ability to develop productive relationships and to work with a range of stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
• Practical knowledge of the use and application of Project Management techniques and processes.
• Ability to communicate complex issues clearly and succinctly both in writing and verbally.
• Experience of stakeholder management, engagement and consultation.

About the role

As a Project Manager, you’ll thrive on helping to manage an award-winning team, Connecting Leeds, and help continue to deliver high quality communications on behalf of the Highways and Transportation Service. You will lead on the coordination, development and delivery of all stakeholder activities utilising your project management techniques and tools to ensure tasks are delivered on time, within budget and to a sufficient quality.

You will work with the Head of Transport Strategy, the Transport Planning Manager and the wider management team to supervise and develop the Transport Strategy team, disseminating your expert knowledge across the team.

You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, a range of professionals in the Highways and Transportation service and the wider City Development Directorate to realise the three strategic pillars of the Council's Best City Ambition: health and wellbeing, zero carbon and inclusive growth. You will also work in partnership with the city's key partners across the region, including the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, to ensure a joined-up approach to project and programme related communication and engagement.

The role is integral to the work of our Transport Strategy team and to the delivery of the Leeds City Council’s Transport Strategy.

What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply
Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact David O’Donoghue, Transport Planning Manager. Call 0113 3787500 or email david.odonoghue@leeds.gov.uk. 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, candidates must consider their own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the 'standard' salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. For more information visit Skilled Worker visa on the government website. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

To lead the development and coordination of communication, consultation and engagement activities for projects and programmes within Highways and Transportation’s Connecting Leeds Team. A key focus of the role will be to oversee and coordinate activities related to stakeholder management, consultation and engagement, event management, data analysis, business case development and public facing communications. The post holder will be responsible for developing the expertise of the team in these areas, driving innovation and ensuring the team is aware of changes in best practice and national requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage projects, overseeing the application of project management methodology, tools, techniques, and controls, ensuring the delivery and improvement of services which meet the needs of our communities and stakeholders.
• Lead and advise stakeholder consultation in relation to the council’s complex multi work stream projects.
• To provide support and advice concerning communication, consultation and engagement, and stakeholder management within Highways and Transportation.
• Ability to identify, organise and analyse stakeholder feedback to help inform project teams, scheme promoters and business cases so that informed and evidence-based recommendations can be provided.
• Contribute to effective joint working within the council and across the city. Provide direction and support to colleagues, clients, and immediate line reports, creating an organisational culture of shared accountabilities, learning and continuous improvement.
• The preparation of project briefs for a multitude of communication and transport related activities and projects.
• Ability to undertake procurement and management of contracts and commissions with external suppliers to ensure value for money and quality outputs.
• To work collaboratively with the Council’s partners to provide leadership and technical input to the development of effective comms and engagement plans for highway and transport projects.
• Promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and equality in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement areas, focussing on equality of outcome.
• Ability to manage a team that can build relationships and work with communities and stakeholders to provide successful outcomes.
• To take responsibility for managing and monitoring capital and revenue budgets.
• To represent the service area and deputise for the Transport Strategy Manager as necessary.
• Support the Transport Strategy Manager in the detailed organisation and administration of technical staff.
• Contribute to the development of transport investment programmes in accordance with the corporate vision, WY Transport Strategy, and regional policies.
• Within the service area to take responsibility for maintaining effective communications with staff, service users, councillors, trade unions, partners and other stakeholders in accordance with Council good practice.
• To be accountable for the safety of staff, service users and contractors in accordance with the Department’s Health and Safety Policy.
• To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

A degree or equivalent level qualification and experience relevant to the role is an essential requirement.

Relevant demonstrable skills or experience at a level equivalent to APM Level C and/or APMP

A post graduate qualification in a relevant technical and/or management discipline and / or an appropriate professional qualification is a desirable but not essential requirement.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate. 
• Ability to interpret corporate visions and values and put into practice through agreed policies and strategies.
• Ability to contribute to change programmes, improve service quality and support culture that drives up standards and performance.
• Ability to lead multiple projects / workstreams and efficiently handle conflicting deadlines and priorities.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate and to form positive relationships with a range of stakeholders and partners.
• Ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner using a variety of presentational formats to internal and external Clients.
• Ability to find and implement creative and innovative solutions to complex problems in a complex project environment.
• Ability to employ a range of management styles which focus on achieving results in terms of outcomes for staff and customers.
• Knowledge, understanding and experience of leading programme and project management methodology to drive service improvement.
• Detailed knowledge of programme and project management techniques and procedures.
• Experience of supporting complex and competing work stream projects.
• Experience of project/programme planning and the management of budgets and expenditure.
• Experience of project management, techniques, monitoring and reporting.
• Experience of preparing briefs / specifications and understanding procurement processes.
• Experience of staff supervision and leading small teams.
• Experience of delivering successful project management of change programmes which reflect service needs, provide value for money, and maintain quality. 

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics 

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
• Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters. 

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post.  Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates. 

• Knowledge of best practice in terms of all communication methods and messaging.
• Knowledge of latest transport initiatives and challenges around communications, engagement and consultation.
• Understanding of local government and experience of achieving results in a politically sensitive context.

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