Project and Contract Manager - Employability and Community Services

As Project and Contract Manager, you will ensure that Palladium is fully compliant with all of the Client's contractual requirements and also with Palladium's internal reporting, governance and policy requirements. Reporting to the UK Director of Business Services, you will act as the bridge between the project and relevant corporate support functions. During the mobilisation and stabilisation of a new contract, you will provide more intensive project management support. Your responsibilities will include: Project Management

• Develop and manage the formal project mobilisation plan;
• Participate in the development and maintenance of project work plans in conjunction with the Operations Director and Business Services Director;
• Support the development and presentation of internal and external reporting (for example: Monthly Management Reports (MMRs), quarterly Internal Project Reviews (IPRs), project risk assessments, annual reviews, and client deliverables) and ensure these outputs are fit for purpose;
• Ensure project issues and risks are logged, monitored, reported on, managed and mitigated; escalate risks and issues to corporate/project leadership, as required;
• Prepare and maintain a Project Manual in alignment with corporate requirements.
• Provide project management / PMO support for business improvement initiatives as required by the Business Services Director.
Head Contract/Agreement and Client Relationship Management
• Monitor and maintain compliance with head/prime contracts;
• Monitor and report on overall progress against agreed targets, milestones, outputs and activities; manage the timetable for preparation of routine contractual deliverables, leading the preparation of these where appropriate;
• Develop, manage and support contract amendments as required, retaining a clear record of communications with the client in relation to the contract terms and any contractual deliverables;
• Liaise with and respond to requests from clients;
• Support project advocacy with internal and external stakeholders;
Procurement and Contract Management
• Serve as a point of contact with service providers and address contractual matters as required;
• Support implementation of project subcontractor management procedures compliant with the company's Guidelines and client's regulations; ensure compliance with company anti-corruption and due diligence processes;
• Work closely with the relevant Project Associate and Office Coordinator to coordinate office leases; oversee the processing of service provider work orders and invoices; ensure asset management procedures are undertaken and conduct spot checks.
Liaison with corporate and project service teams
• Human Resource Management and Recruitment: where required support the project with resource planning; coordinate inputs and support from the company's HR and Recruitment teams.
• Financial Management: liaise with the Project Accountant to ensure the project produces accurate financial reports and forecasts in compliance with Palladium's requirements.
• Information Technology: support existing contracts and improvement projects to maintain compliance with internal guidelines; escalate issues and risks to the Business Services Director.
• In collaboration with corporate services, provide training and guidance to project staff on and ensure compliance with company policies, SOPs and Guidelines and client rules and regulations (covering as required security, occupational health and safety, risk management, planning, human resource management, monitoring, reporting, finance, procurement, logistics, IT, communications, audit support and all other operational matters);
• In collaboration with Internal Audit/Systems Review, conduct periodic compliance checks on processes and internal controls., Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as "the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm". We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.
  
  · Experience in project-managing the mobilisation of a government outsource contract, preferably in the UK or another highly regulated contractual market
· Experience in supporting an operation to maintain contractual compliance and good relationships with the client · Experience in launching new support contracts/programmes, including the early phases of system configuration, office set-up, recruitment, and supply chain mobilisation · Skilled in verbal and written liaison with a wide network of stakeholders · A level of independence and professionalism to take the lead as needed · Able to demonstrate rapid learning of new subject areas and able to offer input and solutions drawing on good practice in other companies/industries. Desirable · Project management in the field of employability or health and wellbeing · A recognised project management qualification · Delivering project management as part of a PMO function · Experience of delivering the change management and business analysis aspects of project management Key Competencies: · Taking responsibility, driving tasks through to completion · Logical and analytical approach to identifying and overcoming obstacles · Proactive and solution focused, setting the pace and standard for high quality, accurate plans and responses for internal and client teams · Excellent written and verbal communication skills · Excellent organisation, prioritisation and project management skills · The determination and drive to make a positive difference. Location and compensation This is a hybrid role based in the South East of England, with the expectation that you would spend a minimum of three days a week in either the Palladium London office or with the team in Southampton.

Compensation: You will receive a salary in the range 40,000 - 50,000 GBP per annum, complemented by a comprehensive benefits package including private health insurance and up to 10% employer pension contributions.