Head of Capital Projects

Interim Head of Capital Projects (Operational & Commercial) Rate: £800 per day (Inside IR35) Location: North West England (3 days per week on site, remainder remote) Duration: 6 months (with potential extension) Working Pattern: Hybrid – minimum 3 days on site The Opportunity A North West local authority is seeking an experienced Interim Head of Operational & Commercial Capital Projects to lead the delivery of a diverse capital programme spanning schools, heritage assets, leisure facilities, corporate buildings, transport and operational depots. This is a senior leadership assignment requiring a hands‑on, politically astute interim who can stabilise, accelerate and assure capital delivery across a multi‑project portfolio. You will act as the council’s Intelligent Client, ensuring governance, commercial rigour, and programme performance while leading internal teams and external consultants. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Management Lead a multi‑disciplinary team of Programme Managers, Senior Project Managers and Project Managers. Provide clear direction, coaching and performance management across a busy capital delivery function. Embed strong governance, reporting, and quality assurance processes across the service. Build a collaborative culture with clear expectations, accountability and proactive problem‑solving. Programme & Project Delivery Oversee a portfolio of capital projects typically ranging from £0.5m to £40m+, ensuring delivery to time, cost and quality. Drive projects through all RIBA stages, ensuring robust business cases, options appraisals, feasibility and risk management. Champion sustainability, low‑carbon solutions, BREEAM considerations and social value outcomes within project scope. Conduct site visits and ensure compliance with CDM Regulations, Building Regulations and statutory processes. Commercial & Financial Accountability Act as Intelligent Client, managing external technical consultants, design teams and contractors. Lead procurement strategies including consultancy frameworks, NEC/JCT contract administration and contract negotiations. Own programme‑level budget management, ensuring accurate forecasting, reporting and cost control. Identify opportunities for efficiencies, external funding, grant contributions and cost‑saving measures. Stakeholder & Political Management Engage regularly with senior stakeholders including Directors, Elected Members, corporate leadership and programme boards. Provide clear, timely reporting, updates and recommendations for decision‑making. Build strong working relationships with service leads, asset managers, finance, legal and regeneration colleagues. Represent the council confidently in external forums, consultations and partnership meetings. Corporate Responsibilities Promote and uphold council values, behaviours and performance standards. Ensure all activities are compliant with Health & Safety legislation and internal governance frameworks. Model high standards of customer service, professionalism and public‑sector ethics. Essential Skills & Experience Significant senior leadership experience delivering complex capital programmes in a local authority or public‑sector environment. Demonstrable experience managing multidisciplinary project delivery teams and external consultants. Strong understanding of RIBA stages, NEC/JCT contracts, procurement, governance and risk management. Proven track record delivering buildings, estates, regeneration or civic projects with similar scale and complexity. Excellent financial management capability with responsibility for multi‑million‑pound capital budgets. Skilled communicator able to influence, negotiate and build relationships in a political context. Professionally qualified (e.g. RICS, CIOB, RIBA, ICE, APM) or equivalent senior experience. Desirable Experience delivering sustainability, decarbonisation or BREEAM‑aligned projects. Experience working with heritage buildings, leisure facilities or school estates. Experience implementing service transformation or process improvement within capital delivery teams. #J-18808-Ljbffr