Project Manager

Who we are:

Here at the Coal Authority, we really are a great team to work with. We’re united in our passion and commitment to make a better future for people and the environment in mining areas.

We carry out a wide variety of essential services from responding to coal mining hazards, to keeping people and the environment safe from mine water pollution.

We are excited about what our future holds. Our work is helping to develop a new sustainable source of renewable energy for the UK. By harnessing the energy from mine water heat, we hope to play a key role towards helping the UK to meet net-zero emissions by 2050.

We truly are a supportive organisation where we all live and breathe our values. We are inclusive, trusted and progressive in everything that we do.

With a genuine commitment to flexible working, we believe that work life balance is incredibly important. There are a number of benefits that you’ll access being a part of our inclusive team including flexi time, 27.5 days holiday (with an additional 6 days flexi time), (Pro rata for part time employees) civil service pension scheme, gym membership contribution, and professional membership.

Flexible working:

We offer different ways to work flexibly, and the following types of flexibility are usually possible: job share, flexible hours, working from home for part of the week and compressed hours. Please feel free to talk about what flexibility means to you at your interview.

About the role:

Are you a Project Manager with experience delivering a wide variety of projects across a public sector organisation? We are looking for a Project Manager to join our Corporate PM Pool at the Coal Authority.  You will be responsible for the delivery and management of a variety of projects from the procurement of a new software solution for data management to internal process change and development to working on the initial stages of exciting innovation projects where negotiating and working with external stakeholders will be key.

Our Corporate Project Managers work across the organisation and need excellent management skills to bring together diverse teams with conflicting priorities.  The project workload can vary from one of two larger projects to running multiple small projects through to completion. The work is always varied and presents new challenges and opportunities for development. 

As part of the Corporate Programme Office you will also be part of regular community of practice meetings where current processes, templates and concerns are discussed in the Project and PMO community and agreed actions are taken to ensure continuous improvement.

You will work closely with the PMO to provide required highlight reporting and capacity forecasts on a regular basis and ensure that appropriate governance is supported around your project.  When required you will present project updates to both Project and Programme boards, and if required, prepare board papers for approval at our Investment and Opportunities Board along with the project sponsor.  Feeling comfortable working at all levels is vital for this role.

For more information about the role please refer to the attached job description.

About you:

You will be an excellent communicator and motivator of teams to deliver a quality product at the end of your project.  Being able to work with a wide variety of teams and individuals you will have brilliant stakeholder management skills as well as an organised and methodical project management style.

Due to the varied nature of the projects we work with both agile and waterfall project management methodologies.  Some of our operational projects also require knowledge of NEC project and contract management methodologies and knowledge of this would be an advantage.

You will be someone who is able to take initiative in management of their projects and look for process improvements. You will be someone who can lead by example in bringing together a project team.

You will be:

Able to manage programmes/projects of varying levels of complexity and budget.

Able to engage and communicate effectively with project and non-project people at every level.

Able to ‘get’ Project and Programme Management principles, tools & techniques.

Able to facilitate and produce project schedules, working within the required methodology for that project and maximising delivery outcomes.

Classic Project Management Competencies to a good level, including:

• Critical thinking & problem solving
• Planning & organisation
• Decision-making
• Communication & report writing
• Influencing & leading
• Delegation
• Team work
• Negotiation
• Conflict management
• Adaptability & resilience
• Stress tolerance

Have good Analytical & Reporting Skills

Be methodical & organised and skilled using MS Office, including MS Project

Working at the Coal Authority:

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

The Coal Authority is committed to developing a supportive, inclusive, caring and positive community. We encourage applications from people with the required skills and experience, from different backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities and beliefs.  Diversity is vital to our success and innovation and is fundamental to our values of being trusted, inclusive and progressive.   We offer a guaranteed interview for candidates with disabilities who meet the basic selection criteria.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative format application forms you can get in touch with us by contacting the HR team by email at peopleteam@coal.gov.uk   or by phone on 0345 762 6848.

Other essential information

Schedule:

Application closing date: *Two weeks from date published*

The Coal Authority is currently following all required social distancing practices during our recruitment process.

Application outcome:

Only candidates invited to interview will be contacted. If you have not heard anything within 2 weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Security:

Successful candidates must pass basic security checks and will be subject to UK Immigration requirements. 

Changes to the UK’s Immigration following the UK’s departure from the EU

Please note there is now a new immigration system which will apply to people arriving in the UK from 1 January 2021, and EU citizens moving to the UK to work after this date will need to get a visa in advance.

EU citizens applying for a skilled worker visa must now show they have a job offer from an approved employer sponsor to be able to apply.  Currently, the Coal Authority is not an approved employer sponsor, so we will be unable to employ any new EU citizens wishing to work in the UK after 1 January 2021.

EU citizens who were already living and working in the UK before 1 January 2021 may continue to do so, providing they meet all the requirements and they apply to the EU Settlement Scheme before 30 June 2021.  This will mean that they can continue to live the UK after 30 June 2021.  If you are an EU citizen who has lived in the UK for many years or you have a permanent residence document, you still need to apply.