Contract Managers - PFI Highways Contract

Portsmouth City Council

Reference: OCT20218818

Location: Civic Offices, Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth

Job type: Full Time, Permanent

Salary: £61,892 - £80,733 Per Annum

Closing date: 24 October 2021

Portsmouth City Council – Highways PFI Contract

At Portsmouth City Council we’re all about developing our staff, because we want to build a bigger and better city and we need the best employees to do so.

As a unitary authority, the council’s key objective is to provide best in class services, customer care and on-going regeneration of the city for its 207,000 residents and 7,000 businesses. From the delivery of essential services to multi-million pound projects, our residents are at the heart of everything we do; providing outstanding highway services forms an integral part of that best in class service delivery agenda.

Background

Portsmouth City council entered into a twenty five year long Highways Private Finance Initiative (PFI) Contract in 2004 with a private sector Service Provider partner; it was a “pathfinder” contract for the rehabilitation, upgrade, maintenance and operation of 455km of publicly maintainable highways in the City. It is the single largest contract procured by the Council worth approximately £0.6bn.

The Roles

The Highways PFI contract is now entering a new phase as it approaches handback in March 2030 and the Council is now planning to make three key appointments to manage the delivery of services, handback and post-PFI procurement.

Role One – Assistant Director & Contract Manager

The Council is now seeking to appoint an Assistant Director in its Regeneration Directorate, who will act as the Contract Manager for the Highways PFI Contract. You will be part of the Senior Management Team of the Directorate determining the strategic direction and be fully responsible for the delivery and scrutiny of all highway services, network management and operations of highways which are within the scope of the Contract. You will report to the Regeneration Director and accountable to a wide-ranging stakeholders including the travelling public.

You will be a Chartered Engineer educated to a degree level with significant highways maintenance experience, well versed in the administration of Highways Act and delivery of services, experience of managing PFI/PPP contract. A natural leader, who can inspire, challenge conventional wisdom, nurture a culture of continuous improvement and build high-performing teams.

Role Two – Deputy Contract Manager – Technical

As part of strengthening the Contract Management function, the Council is also seeking to appoint two deputies to the Contract Manager to lead on the scrutiny and performance management of all the highway assets in the project network. As the Deputy Contract Manager – Technical (Technical Manager), you will be an expert in the design and maintenance of pavements (rigid, rigid composite, flexible composite & flexible), survey techniques and determination of residual life including deterioration modelling. You will be well versed in managing highway assets in urban environment including maintenance of pavements and footways, administering street cleansing standards, managing street furniture, traffic signs and signals, routine and safety inspections and take a lead role in the review of Asset Management strategy. You will be Chartered Civil/Highway Engineer, educated to degree level with significant post chartered experience. The post holder will report to the Contract Manager and be responsible for managing all of the technical aspects of the contract. An inspiring leader who is capable building a strong technical team and work in partnership with the commercial team to achieve the maximum value for money from this contract.

Role Three – Deputy Contract Manager – Commercial

The Council is also seeking to appoint the second deputy to the Contract Manager to lead on the scrutiny all commercial aspects and performance management of all the highway assets in the project network.

You will be a Qualified Accountant (CIMA, CIPFA or similar) or Chartered Surveyor (RICS) or equivalent with commercial experience in managing Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and/or strategic long-term service delivery based contracts, with the ability to interpret contractual reports, financial models and complex contractual/legal requirements into operational principles. You will demonstrate an understanding of Highway Standards, Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB), Codes of Practices, pavement design and management principles, condition survey measurement techniques, residual life measurement and modelling and Asset management principles. An understanding of PFI contract or Term-maintenance contract based on outcomes and performance management will be essential.

You will be a Chartered Accountant, Chartered Management Accountant, Chartered Institute Public Finance and Accountancy or Chartered Surveyor (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors), educated to degree level with significant experience. You will report to the Contract Manager and be responsible for managing all of the contractual, commercial, legal and programming and stakeholder management aspects of the contract.

What you’ll get in return

In addition to a highly competitive pay you’ll receive all the benefits of working within a local authority organisation, which ranges from flexible working hours to a fantastic pension which allows you the opportunity to pay in more for that greater return. We support all our staff in their on-going development either progression planning or on the job training, we will work together to drive your career forward. For those with families we have child care benefits as well as discounts with local businesses which can be enjoyed by all.

The Market Supplement for the Deputy roles is subject to review in 12 months. The payment forms part of a reward package (£2,786 additional payment, 26 days annual leave rising to 30, excellent pension with the opportunity to pay in more for a greater reward, plus flexible working).