Strategic Technical Engineering Manager

Role overview:

Overall responsibility for managing the technical and engineering aspects of the infrastructure to be delivered on the strategic land portfolio of land at all stages of the land and planning process into detailed planning and delivery to the regional businesses of Hill Residential Ltd and external parties.

Role Scope:

• Various sized projects based across southern England. Primary point of contact in strategic land team with overall responsibility for assessing infrastructure needs and creating phasing / managing budget requirements for delivery to support promotion and development of land into production. Reporting to Strategic Land team, and regional productions teams including Contracts Managers / Technical Managers, and on occasions Project Managers where required. The reporting of site operational staff shall be in the first instance through the contract managers.
• Responsible for wide range of projects from £10m+
• Management/oversight of large internal and external teams

Key Results Areas:

1. Delivery

• Responsible for a all technical matters related to the portfolio of strategic land projects, with some directly managed and some delegated to Strategic Development Manager/Assistant Strategic Development Manager
• Establish the key infrastructure programme for the whole life of the project.
• Manage the assessment of costings, phasing and delivery programme and advise on the setting of the construction programmes for multi phased schemes that include the provision of a significant number of private units.
• Manage the Technical constraints associated with land acquisitions post project/land identification.
• Manage the infrastructure budget for each project as appropriate
• Manage the consultant team in relation to promotion of projects as required.
• Manage the technical process (and associated fee budget) on schemes moving into the detailed planning stage.
• Manage and assist wider Strategic Land team in land appraisal model and negotiation of land purchase contract / option exercise where applicable
• Manage the preparation of land for sale both internally to regional team and externally to third parties in respect of infrastructure delivery programme and cost assumptions / budgets
• Work closely with the pre-construction team during the bidding and planning process to suggest and implement ideas that will add real value.
• Prepare design programmes and ensure that the programmes are prepared and properly issued in compliance with company procedures
• Ensure that the company’s procedures for the appointment of external consultants are properly implemented and that appointments and warranties are signed by the consultants prior to first payment being made
• Ensure subcontractor designs are reviewed and commented on in line with programme requirements.
• Positively liaise and communicate with estimating, production, surveying, purchasing, resident liaison and accounts staff allocated to the project/s by the company to ensure their positive contribution to the project/s
• Undertake reviews of issued drawings to ensure buildability and compliance with Employers requirements and provide appropriate feedback
• To ensure that the company is represented professionally at any meetings with external stakeholders, planning authorities, land holders or potential clients.
• Ensure that any reports produced internally or by consultants are accurate and clearly present the information required.
• Ensure that all reports and appraisals are legible and written in clear understandable English appropriate to the target audience.

2. Quality & Compliance

• Ensure site visits are notified to office based staff and that initial potential risks are documented.
• Ensure that all projects under control adhere to Hill Quality Processes & Procedures.
• Ensure scheme technical designs reflect the ambitions of Hill Residential
• Ensure quality and accuracy of commercial and technical information produced by the project team.
• Control the quality of drawn information and address any non-conformance issues
• Review the suitability of all materials specified, and liaise with the purchasing department and/or suppliers
• Maintain the reputation of the company for good quality of finish, positive action and achievement of predetermined targets
• Adhere to quality management (ISO) procedures using correct forms and processes.
• Undertake external consultant performance reviews during and on completion of the projects
• Ensure all appraisals and sensitivity testing highlight the potential risks and opportunities of potential acquisitions and are accurate in regards to the parameters stated.
• Process the technical and legal due diligence associated with the land acquisition process working with the Land Manager.

3. Collaboration

• Ability to lead and drive projects to acquisition / planning consent
• Provide assistance and support to the Director
• Act as the point of contact alongside the Director

4. Financial

• Take financial responsibility for the delivery and design and costs of necessary infrastructure for a portfolio of projects, with some directly managed & some delegated to wider strategic land team
• Take responsibility for consultant team fee budgets and key date programmes on schemes pre-planning.
• Liaise with the Finance and Strategic Land Director to ensure adequate funding can be secured.
• Input into detailed cash flow viabilities based on agreed parameters and update the appraisals at key commitment dates (acquisition/ planning/ handover).
• Research alternative material specifications that may contribute to the reduction of the net costs of the project
• Assist Estimating department with design strategies during the tender process. Ensure design is developed in accordance with the control document
• Investigate the project design and to seek improvements in buildability and to identify areas of cost reduction

5. People

• Act as primary point of contact to strategic land team in all aspects of the technical and engineering aspects of the projects and provide support to the wider team in assessing budgetary needs and liaison over wider project management
• Mentor support to trainees
• Foster the development of Graduate and Development Surveyor Trainees
• Ensure that the consultant team are set clear briefs and deadlines and are aware of their role in the overall programme.
• Undertake business development and client entertainment responsibilities.
• Implement and share best practice with colleagues.

Success Measures:

• Lead in the design, costing and delivery of all infrastructure elements of the negotiation and securing of new opportunities for the Company in line with the business plan
• Devise and manage cost plans and phasing programmes for delivery of infrastructure during the planning promotion and development process post project identification for strategic land opportunities that are acquired and considered by Hill Residential.
• Produce timely and accurate reports to the Hill Residential senior management team.to Hill Quality Processes and Procedures
• Ensure site visits are notified to office based staff and that initial potential risks are documented.
• Provide support on ISO audits
• Agree annual budgets and project budgets to be included in the promotion of all projects in the portfolio and new business generating activities.
• Exemplary commercial acumen, with a track record in improving financial return.
• Manage consultants and colleagues across the business to deliver on programme to agreed budgets.
• Take financial responsibility for the technical matters involved for a portfolio of projects with some directly managed and some delegated to other members of the team.

Skills, Experience and Attributes:

• Relevant professional qualification to either Degree, HNC/HND, NVQ Level 5
• Chartered Membership of a recognised Professional body eg RICS, CIOB, CIAT, RIBA etc and demonstrate extensive CPD
• CDM for Principal Designers extensive experience
• Experience of leading a Technical department operating over multiple challenging and complex developments from inception to
• Completion
• Demonstrates excellent project management development skills.
• Large / Major project experience in promoting and delivering strategic land projects
• Proven experience in developing and delivering infrastructure on large scale multi phase projects and managing external parties and budgets up to site commencement and ideally through the delivery and construction of the scheme
• Possessing exemplary commercial acumen with a track record in improving financial return
• Have a proactive and can do attitude, with the ability to lead and drive projects to acquisition/award of contract