Ford & Stanley Executive Search
Head of Projects
Job Location
South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Job Description
Opportunity Brief: Head of Projects This role hold a confidential search classification and requires a signed NDA for details to be discussed
Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Group) are an award-winning Executive search firm to the UK, North American and European Engineering, Technology, Sustainability & Heavy Manufacturing industries.
Our search directors, search consultants and in-house research team specialise in all vertical & horizontal functions of our clients’ leadership requirements with expertise spanning engineering, commercial, procurement, HR, IT, finance, HSQE, sales, projects, operations and c-suite.
We are trusted by over 100 organisations when they seek to make a leadership appointment, be that a permanent appointment or an interim solution.
We have been appointed by our client on a retained search for a Head of Projects who will drive continuous improvement initiatives across the project function whilst successfully managing the business’ wide range of projects.
Below you will find an ‘opportunity brief’ developed from notes taken during the scoping meeting (Situational Discovery) held between the Research Manager and Director of Ford & Stanley Executive Search along with the COO and Head of HR of the client business. This brief is designed to give candidates a deeper insight into the opportunity inherent within the role, the challenges the role presents and provide access to the detail that sits behind the job specification.
Client Opportunity Statements:
“We see this role as integral to the success of the business and our projects function. To continue on our growth projection, we are looking for a methodical Head of Projects that will be accountable for a wide range of projects and drive continuous improvement initiatives.”
“This is an opportunity for someone to reshape and ‘iron out’ our business processes, have the autonomy to make changes, alongside ensuring we continue to offer the highest levels of service to our customers. We are looking for someone to be present, proactive and problem-solve in a hands-on manner and will elevate the team around them.”
Company Overview:
The company delivers innovative technology solutions and services to owners and operators of the UK rail network.
Challenges expected within the first 12 months include:
Due to a recent organisational restructure, some staff will feel unsettled and will need a figurative ‘hand on the shoulder’ to make them feel empowered.
Management – due to this being an SME business you will need to be a hands-on team manager, identify learning and development needs and action them.
With a healthy pipeline of projects at the back end of 2025 it is going to be a busy period for the business, it is important that the company prepares itself to meet demand and therefore processes and procedures need to be ironed out.
Key deliverables within the first 12 months include:
Working with the project management team to ensure they stay accountable, and projects are delivered.
Understand the commercial state of all projects and manage through any variances efficiently and correctly.
Work collaboratively with the bid team to ensure bids are deliverable.
Essential Hard Skills (Skills & Experience)
Experienced project professional from a rail industry background.
APM/Prince 2 or qualified by experience with a track record in managing a range of projects of various sizes.
Track record in team management – able to develop and empower team members.
Evidence of previously managing multiple stakeholder relationships from shop floor through to board room.
Essential Soft Skills (Attributes & Behaviours)
Highly emotionally intelligent, someone who can build strong relationships but challenge when necessary.
Able to work with trust and autonomy and is able to come up with solutions for problems that occur.
A strong motivator of people, able to set a culture and foster a strong working environment.
Proactive leader and able to ‘self-manage’ their time and work in a methodical manner.
Working Arrangements & Location:
The Head of Projects will work out of their South Yorkshire site, there is some flexible working available (up to 2 days a week from home but Mondays are required to be an office day), but the successful candidate must be comfortable with being in the office up to 5 days depending on business need, as it will be integral to the success of this role.
Ford & Stanley Interview Process:
1st Stage – Formal Interview. Candidates are assessed on their suitability for the job in the context of the above and challenged on how the opportunity lines up with their career aspirations, motivations, and financial expectations.
2nd Stage – The ‘shortlist’. Candidates are asked to reflect on 1st and 2nd stages, providing evidence and discussion on how they match up to the key hard and soft skill essentials. Package requirements are reiterated and finalised.
Our Client’s Interview Process:
1st Stage interview: A technical competency-based interview to be held face to face or via teams with the COO.
2nd Final Stage interview: To focus on cultural fit and leadership skills. The interview will be on-site with the COO and Head of HR. This will include a site tour.
Good to know:
The role reports to the COO and the Head of Projects and is one of the several ‘Head’s Of’ within the senior leadership team.
This role will have 15 direct and 12 indirect reports (Projects – 4, Operations – 4, Planning -2, Site Engineering – 4 + 12 indirect reports + Production – 1).
The business is on an upward projection with a strong pipeline of projects with a value of around £25 to £30 million per annum.
The team has a good culture, but improvements can be made to speed up delivery, transparency and flow of information. This individual will be looking to instil a sense of urgency and build an ethos of pride in the team, longevity, and offer them development opportunities from within.
Looking for someone to improve processes within the project function and the Head of Projects will act as a source of knowledge from the ‘top-down’ on project management matters across the organisation.
It’s important this person understands risk, knows how to manage and mitigate it, and ensures there are no surprises within the projects.
It is pivotal that we continue to develop collaboration across teams (in particular Sales and Ops) to ensure that the business continues to push forward.
Suitable backgrounds will include candidates with experience in project management in highly regulated industries.
Role Budget:
Competitive salary and package available.
Executive Search Delivery Team:
Oliver Nunn – Research Manager (Client Recommendations/Advisory, Offer Negotiations, Networking)
Emma Barlow – Senior Research Associate (Shortlisting, Offer Negotiations, Headhunting, Networking, Research, Search, Longlisting, Interviews, Data & Market Intel)
Ralitsa Kuzeva – Executive Assistant (Diary Management, Interview Arrangement, Coordination, Candidate Experience)
About Ford & Stanley Executive Search:
Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group are in the business of people and performance. Our mission is to create one million better workdays through facilitating great recruitment, leadership and occupational mental fitness. We support our clients in their most challenging business areas - recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent from shop floor to boardroom.
Ford & Stanley TalentWise - Business specialising in blue-collar trade & technical services – permanent and temporary.
Ford & Stanley Recruitment - Business specialising in white collar spanning all company functions with specialist verticals within Digital, Rail Engineering, Civils & Infrastructure, General Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Logistics both permanent and contract.
Ford & Stanley Executive Search – Business specialising in Executive Search & Executive Interim Solutions in the UK, North America, Middle East and Europe.
Ford & Stanley Genius Performance - Performance is always accelerated when good people are coached, inspired, trained and focused in the right way.
Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an on-going basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy.
Services advertised by Ford & Stanley are that of an employment consultancy business
Location: South Yorkshire, GB
Posted Date: 11/2/2024
Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Group) are an award-winning Executive search firm to the UK, North American and European Engineering, Technology, Sustainability & Heavy Manufacturing industries.
Our search directors, search consultants and in-house research team specialise in all vertical & horizontal functions of our clients’ leadership requirements with expertise spanning engineering, commercial, procurement, HR, IT, finance, HSQE, sales, projects, operations and c-suite.
We are trusted by over 100 organisations when they seek to make a leadership appointment, be that a permanent appointment or an interim solution.
We have been appointed by our client on a retained search for a Head of Projects who will drive continuous improvement initiatives across the project function whilst successfully managing the business’ wide range of projects.
Below you will find an ‘opportunity brief’ developed from notes taken during the scoping meeting (Situational Discovery) held between the Research Manager and Director of Ford & Stanley Executive Search along with the COO and Head of HR of the client business. This brief is designed to give candidates a deeper insight into the opportunity inherent within the role, the challenges the role presents and provide access to the detail that sits behind the job specification.
Client Opportunity Statements:
“We see this role as integral to the success of the business and our projects function. To continue on our growth projection, we are looking for a methodical Head of Projects that will be accountable for a wide range of projects and drive continuous improvement initiatives.”
“This is an opportunity for someone to reshape and ‘iron out’ our business processes, have the autonomy to make changes, alongside ensuring we continue to offer the highest levels of service to our customers. We are looking for someone to be present, proactive and problem-solve in a hands-on manner and will elevate the team around them.”
Company Overview:
The company delivers innovative technology solutions and services to owners and operators of the UK rail network.
Challenges expected within the first 12 months include:
Due to a recent organisational restructure, some staff will feel unsettled and will need a figurative ‘hand on the shoulder’ to make them feel empowered.
Management – due to this being an SME business you will need to be a hands-on team manager, identify learning and development needs and action them.
With a healthy pipeline of projects at the back end of 2025 it is going to be a busy period for the business, it is important that the company prepares itself to meet demand and therefore processes and procedures need to be ironed out.
Key deliverables within the first 12 months include:
Working with the project management team to ensure they stay accountable, and projects are delivered.
Understand the commercial state of all projects and manage through any variances efficiently and correctly.
Work collaboratively with the bid team to ensure bids are deliverable.
Essential Hard Skills (Skills & Experience)
Experienced project professional from a rail industry background.
APM/Prince 2 or qualified by experience with a track record in managing a range of projects of various sizes.
Track record in team management – able to develop and empower team members.
Evidence of previously managing multiple stakeholder relationships from shop floor through to board room.
Essential Soft Skills (Attributes & Behaviours)
Highly emotionally intelligent, someone who can build strong relationships but challenge when necessary.
Able to work with trust and autonomy and is able to come up with solutions for problems that occur.
A strong motivator of people, able to set a culture and foster a strong working environment.
Proactive leader and able to ‘self-manage’ their time and work in a methodical manner.
Working Arrangements & Location:
The Head of Projects will work out of their South Yorkshire site, there is some flexible working available (up to 2 days a week from home but Mondays are required to be an office day), but the successful candidate must be comfortable with being in the office up to 5 days depending on business need, as it will be integral to the success of this role.
Ford & Stanley Interview Process:
1st Stage – Formal Interview. Candidates are assessed on their suitability for the job in the context of the above and challenged on how the opportunity lines up with their career aspirations, motivations, and financial expectations.
2nd Stage – The ‘shortlist’. Candidates are asked to reflect on 1st and 2nd stages, providing evidence and discussion on how they match up to the key hard and soft skill essentials. Package requirements are reiterated and finalised.
Our Client’s Interview Process:
1st Stage interview: A technical competency-based interview to be held face to face or via teams with the COO.
2nd Final Stage interview: To focus on cultural fit and leadership skills. The interview will be on-site with the COO and Head of HR. This will include a site tour.
Good to know:
The role reports to the COO and the Head of Projects and is one of the several ‘Head’s Of’ within the senior leadership team.
This role will have 15 direct and 12 indirect reports (Projects – 4, Operations – 4, Planning -2, Site Engineering – 4 + 12 indirect reports + Production – 1).
The business is on an upward projection with a strong pipeline of projects with a value of around £25 to £30 million per annum.
The team has a good culture, but improvements can be made to speed up delivery, transparency and flow of information. This individual will be looking to instil a sense of urgency and build an ethos of pride in the team, longevity, and offer them development opportunities from within.
Looking for someone to improve processes within the project function and the Head of Projects will act as a source of knowledge from the ‘top-down’ on project management matters across the organisation.
It’s important this person understands risk, knows how to manage and mitigate it, and ensures there are no surprises within the projects.
It is pivotal that we continue to develop collaboration across teams (in particular Sales and Ops) to ensure that the business continues to push forward.
Suitable backgrounds will include candidates with experience in project management in highly regulated industries.
Role Budget:
Competitive salary and package available.
Executive Search Delivery Team:
Oliver Nunn – Research Manager (Client Recommendations/Advisory, Offer Negotiations, Networking)
Emma Barlow – Senior Research Associate (Shortlisting, Offer Negotiations, Headhunting, Networking, Research, Search, Longlisting, Interviews, Data & Market Intel)
Ralitsa Kuzeva – Executive Assistant (Diary Management, Interview Arrangement, Coordination, Candidate Experience)
About Ford & Stanley Executive Search:
Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group are in the business of people and performance. Our mission is to create one million better workdays through facilitating great recruitment, leadership and occupational mental fitness. We support our clients in their most challenging business areas - recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent from shop floor to boardroom.
Ford & Stanley TalentWise - Business specialising in blue-collar trade & technical services – permanent and temporary.
Ford & Stanley Recruitment - Business specialising in white collar spanning all company functions with specialist verticals within Digital, Rail Engineering, Civils & Infrastructure, General Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Logistics both permanent and contract.
Ford & Stanley Executive Search – Business specialising in Executive Search & Executive Interim Solutions in the UK, North America, Middle East and Europe.
Ford & Stanley Genius Performance - Performance is always accelerated when good people are coached, inspired, trained and focused in the right way.
Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an on-going basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy.
Services advertised by Ford & Stanley are that of an employment consultancy business
Location: South Yorkshire, GB
Posted Date: 11/2/2024
Contact Information
| Contact | Human Resources Ford & Stanley Executive Search |
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