Project Director

Role: Project DirectorLocation: Birmingham or London with travel as required (we offer Hybrid working supported by a Smart Working Policy)Full Time or Part Time: Full TimeDirectorate: CMC (Consents Management Consultancy)Company Overview:Ardent is the UK’s leading provider of land, consent management and stakeholder engagement services to support major infrastructure and regeneration projects from concept to delivery. We are Project Managers, Chartered Surveyors, Transport Planners and Land Referencers, based in London, Birmingham, Warrington, Leeds, Glasgow and Dublin and supporting projects throughout the UK and Ireland. Established in 1992 to provide a 'one stop shop’ for land and property matters for major infrastructure projects, our client portfolio includes some of the biggest players across our four core sectors of transport, renewables, utilities and regeneration.We are passionate about delivering life-improving change for communities and future generations and we are proud to play a key role in facilitating and delivering the UK and Ireland’s net zero agenda, improving connectivity, enabling the repurposing of high streets and town centres and delivering new homes for the people who need them most. We are problem-solvers, can-doers and solution-drivers working collaboratively with our clients to provide proactive and strategic advice to identify and mitigate risks, deliver efficiencies and, ultimately, achieve deliverable consents and build projects that positively impact people’s lives and the world that we live in.Ardent’s CMC is driving to be the lead function in consent promotion, delivery and land. We advise and manage the best route to cost surety with a blend of consenting, land acquisition and access, construction, planning and project experience. Offering consent, land, contractual and procurement advice, risk and opportunity definition, and foresight to construction considerations and constraints.Key Accountabilities & Job Overview:Much of Ardent’s business continues to be related to land. The company works on large schemes which employ a significant number of Ardent staff and cross many of Ardent’s directorates and we have recognised the need for dedicated project management leaders who will act as Ardent’s Project Director on these schemes. The role is both client facing and also requires the management and coordination of Ardent teams with their client equivalents.This role will involve working on a major transport project.Duties involveTo direct, manage and deliver major land consents across a client’s program at varying stages of the project life cycle as required. This could be pre application or post determination.Being the primary contact for the client regarding budget, milestones, performance and work allocation.Directing and coordinating multiple service delivery teams to deliver a coordinated response to a tight program covering: Noticing for statutory consultation, including deliverables including land referencing and GIS.Statutory application deliverables e.g. Book of Reference, Land PlansAccess to land for surveys, both intrusive and non-intrusive.Safeguarding of landLandowner engagement and negotiationProperty Cost Estimates and Valuation of land/propertyCommunications related to land.Land strategies.Input and management of Ardent’s project schedule, risk register, budget, scope, and spend profile.Resource/cost balancing to achieve the best margin whilst inspiring confidence in the team to the client and delivering quality outputs on scheduleProduction of strategies, project execution plans, task order plans, dashboard reporting and reporting against KPIsCommunication with varying stakeholders; internal, external, , statutory or governmental as requiredDeveloping strong relationships with the clients property and delivery teams. Responsible for ensuring that Ardent H&S policies, processes and legislation are adhered to in the delivery of our servicesTechnical Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required: A high demonstration of emotional intelligence both at an intrapersonal and interpersonal level. Inner intelligence required includes self-awareness, emotion management and self-motivation. For our clients and teams we need highly developed relationship management skillsExtensive project experience in high profile, complex, multi-disciplinary projects, preferably related to land and consents Experience of delivering a significant part of a large consent such as a Transport & Works Act Order, Development Consent Order, parliamentary or Hybrid BillExperience of leading and coordinating a high-performing team of specialist consultants’ advisors and coordinating with members of the client team and other project partnersAbility to identify key risks and opportunities associated with a large-scale land acquisition and other land risks with appropriate mitigation.The ability to ensure project compliance with authorising legislation. Knowledge and understanding of contractual issues in a project environment.Knowledge and understanding of planning and project management tools and techniques.Experience of leading and managing a range of projects delivered through other project managers and technical experts many of which are themselves in senior positionsExperience of working in construction or engineering environments.Behavioral Skills Required (Based on our Values) :Thirst for Knowledge (We embrace opportunities to learn and improve for personal and professional growth) - Demonstrate a strong commitment to the development of yourself, and your people, for your role in a growth company and future role. Coach and mentor others (or actively engage with your Coach) to have a deep understanding of their knowledge and experience. Actively supporting with areas of development and career goals, extending beyond a technical remit and actively developing your business knowledge on an on-going basis.Own It (We do what we say we will. We own our individual actions, are accountable for them and take pride in adding value) - Act like it matters, take pride and caring about the outcome of people in your team, or who you work with, and your clients objectives.Be the Difference (Focus energy to make things happen. Be beyond process. Stand up, Stand out) - Be confident in your decisions and implementing them, taking into account the wider structure and objectives of the business, working with or alongside peers across the business. Be more than any other competent person in your role.Enjoy the Journey (Have fun, be engaged and be proud to be Ardent) - Translating goals and visions of the business into meaningful objectives for your team in a positive and engaging manner (delivering excellence in your own objectives), demonstrating your commitment to Ardent and the wellbeing and development of your team and colleagues. Understand the needs of your people and colleagues to have, purpose/fulfilment, personal growth, engagement, team culture and fair pay.Adapt (We drive change and innovation to deliver growth and new opportunities in an ever-changing world) - As a growth company Ardent is all about change. You must be a change maker. Demonstrate ability to drive and/or implement change to enable Ardent to continue to excel. Listen to your team and people you work with to actively search for opportunities to create change. Exhibit a resilient attitude, communicate key information in a clear and engaging way to influence others. Ardent is an equal opportunities employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of race, colour, religion or belief, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability status or other legally protected characteristics.With people at the core of our business, we offer employees an unrivalled career opportunity rather than simply a job. In a fast growing organisation, we train, develop and support our staff to grow and achieve their career goals. This is supported by a number of initiatives to look after the wellbeing of our employees whilst allowing employees to work flexibility and maintain a positive work life balance. We offer an attractive benefits package to include :-Hybrid workingSmart Working PolicyMedical health planCareer progressionCoachingCycle to Work Electric Car SchemeEnhanced maternity and paternity payFor more information, please see our services page on our website at www.ardent-management.com
Interested? Get in touch!Should you be interested in hearing more about the position or wish to send your cv in to ##### or contact Stuart Thomas #####