Job summary
Are you interested in how we create and curate the places that surround us?
The Office for Place is a newly established non-departmental public body that will develop and share evidence, advice, tools and learning to support the creation and stewardship of places that are beautiful, sustainable, popular, and healthy. This will help to create the millions of new homes that the country needs. It has its origins in the Building Better Building Beautiful Commission and publication of the National Design Guide and National Model Design Code which aims to help local authorities and communities decide what good quality design looks like in their area.
The Office for Place will be subject to the standard review of public bodies which will take place after 3-5 years to ensure continuing delivery for government and the taxpayer. More information on the Office of Place can be found at: An information session to find out more about the work of the Office for Place and the role will be held on Friday 6th September. Please register here:
We are currently working in a start-up phase and will be recruiting to a number of roles across different disciplines, we expect all appointed candidates to work flexibility across the organisation and to recognise that job roles may be adjusted as the organisation grows to full capacity over the coming year.
The successful applicant will initially be recruited into the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and will be subject to a TUPE transfer in the second half of 2024. Terms and conditions for the new organisation are to be confirmed but will be no less favourable than MHCLG.
Job description
We are looking for an experienced procurement, contract, and project manager to support the work of the Office for Place. You will have lead responsibility for the organisation’s procurement strategy and policy, managing key contracts and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulations. You will support the full range of organisational delivery, from grant funding to local authorities, competitive tenders with design led organisations and universities, through to corporate service providers. You will also project manage our corporate service contracts / service level agreements and co-ordinate delivery activity across the organisation, highlighting progress and risks to the Executive Team and board.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with commercial and project skills looking to gain additional leadership responsibility and the challenge of embedding strong procurement practice in a newly established organisation. Working in a small organisation in start-up phase you will relish the opportunity to work flexibility and with a broad role, covering aspects of facilities management, risk management, health and safety and governance.
You will work in a small corporate service, enabling team of five people, reporting to the head of finance and working alongside the HR manager and governance manager.
Responsibilities will include:
Developing the organisation’s procurement policy ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and regulations. You will be the organisation’s sole procurement adviser and will accordingly need to stay updated on legislative developments, revising policy and practice accordingly.
Supporting and advising delivery managers on procurement solutions to meet business need. This will include grant funding to public sector organisations and well as competitive commercial tenders.
Managing key commercial contracts and grant agreements, maintaining relationships with suppliers, and ensuring delivery to time, budget, and quality. This will include key contracts for social research, event management and delivery expertise. You will assess the tender documents, prepare the contracts, and maintain accurate records.
Managing corporate service contracts and service level agreements, including shared service arrangements for IT/digital and finance and commercial solution for human resource services and website development and maintenance. You will work with the senior finance and HR managers to effectively implement a new human resource and payroll service in the autumn alongside the Office for Place becoming a legal employer.
Managing the organisation’s lease and accommodation arrangements. This is expected to include a change in office accommodation during 2024-25 as the Office for Place moves from a temporary to a permanent home in Stoke-on-Trent, requiring oversight of lease negotiations and office move contracts. You will be the main point of contact on facilities management, liaising with the accommodation provider as needed and supported by the Executive Assistant with responsibilities for office supplies.
Developing and maintaining project and information management systems across the organisation. This will include supporting and advising delivery managers on project management best practice, maintaining project management information and reporting on risks to the Executive Team and board.
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