Operating across market sectors and disciplines CIRIA delivers a programme of business improvement services and research activities for our members and those engaged with the delivery and operation of the built environment. CIRIA is an independent member based, not-for-profit association. We are seeking an Associate level civil engineer to join our team and help develop and deliver our activities.
THE POSITION
· Key business development and representative role across CIRIA’s infrastructure, technology and process work areas developing relationships with industry, government and academia
· Champion for infrastructure, technology and process improvement within the industry
· Responsible for the development and delivery of a portfolio of projects and activities
THE CANDIDATE
· High calibre senior manager with team management experience
· Good understanding of the construction sector and empathy with CIRIA’s mission
· Awareness of, or engagement with, the construction sector improvement agenda
· Strong commercial acumen and business development skills, particularly in collaborative/partnership work
· Confident and influential communicator with excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills
· Chartered Civil Engineer with at least 10 years experience.
· Strong network of contacts in the relevant areas
The Project Manager’s role at CIRIA / Introduction to Associate role
CIRIA Project Managers are responsible for the development and delivery of a portfolio of “projects” including research studies, the production of guidance documents, conferences, training and consultation workshops.
CIRIA has over 500 Members from all sectors of the industry. We are governed by over 50 Core Members with whom we strive to develop a close working relationship.
The Project Manager role will suit individuals who come from a research and/or industry background who:
- recognize the scope for improvement across all stages of the construction cycle
- question ‘why do we do it this way?’
- seek best practice approaches to particular problems
Would welcome the opportunity to work with industry experts to produce the authoritative and independent guidance documents for which CIRIA is recognized
Project Manager / Associate role – August 2012
Potential projects include:
Reservoir conduits asset management guide; Secondary containment systems for industrial liquid storage; Farm waste containment systems; Scour at bridges and other structures; Hidden defects in bridges; BIM
CIRIA projects are typically valued in the range of £10k - £200k. They are usually desk-studies, although some will involve field work and/or implementation trials. Other projects are member “clubs” where members informally “benchmark” their approach to particular challenges – whether technical or organisational (e.g. knowledge management).
Projects are usually collaboratively funded across the sector, although many are won through competitive tender. The Project Manger will lead on both these aspects within their area(s). Project outputs are typically publications, events, training, web-sites, etc.
Publication authorship is generally sub-contracted to specialist consulting or other organisations (project contractors - PC) who undertake the detailed desk or field work. The PCs are overseen by an independent industry steering group chaired by a representative of industry.
The Project Manager is responsible for the overall delivery of the project:
- Raising the funding or responding to tender opportunities
- Liaising with sponsors and funders
- Managing the project contractor and project steering group
- Liaising with publishing and events teams to deliver the outputs.
They therefore need to be good networkers and enjoy sharing and developing ideas with others, and developing ideas into fully defined and costed projects.
Project Managers work with leading industry experts and a range of stakeholders including design and other consultants, building and civil engineering contractors, clients, regulators and policy bodies etc and the Project Manager role at CIRIA will provide an opportunity to:
- Broaden understanding of a range of leading edge industry issues and the differing perspectives of stakeholders
- Work alongside leading private and public-sector organisations
- Form wide networks within the relevant industry sectors
- Develop interesting portfolios of projects that will help improve awareness and drive change across the industry and its clients.
CIRIA’s structure is sufficiently flexible to permit Project Managers over time to either build extensive programmes of work or to become involved in new areas. Managers have found that the experience and contacts gained at CIRIA open up a
number of opportunities within the wider industry and many go on to more senior positions in industry.
Project Mangers are required to:
- be good communicators
- appreciate the views of different stakeholders
- appreciate the needs of the end-users of information
- identify project opportunities and develop funded projects liaising with organisations who have an interest in having access to better guidance in the area.
Since most of CIRIA’s work is sub-contracted, the opportunity for individuals for “hands-on” work is limited with most managing a portfolio of projects involving several external teams rather than undertaking a detailed technical project within CIRIA. However, the process of managing the collaborative process involving project contractors, steering group, and other stakeholders and consultees helps the manager develop a broad, and often, deep understanding of the topic.
Educated to degree level or equivalent with a professional qualification (or approaching this) in a related engineering discipline
- Training packages
- Web sites
The Associate role at CIRIA
Associates are senior Project Managers who have demonstrated:
· An ability to win and manage a portfolio of activities that is sufficient to support a number of staff
· Strong and broad network of industry contacts arising from their portfolio
· A positive profile and reputation across a number of areas
· Strong project management and team leadership skills
· The ability to contribute to CIRIA’s wider business in terms of strategic planning, marketing etc.