Head of Projects Jobs
If change and transformation are to be successful, particularly in large and complex organisations, it’s often not good enough to rely on departmental managers to apply change dictated by the board. That is why companies who are serious about ensuring C&T goes smoothly employ teams dedicated to delivering their projects, and these teams are led by heads of projects. The head of projects can mean quite a wide range of things depending on the business. Sometimes it is one of a number of project managers dealing with a small number of distinct workstreams in a department; other times the head of projects is a board level employee overseeing a whole company and all its projects.
Whatever the nature of the role, the head of projects is in charge of ensuring the right people are in place and that they are all working to hit the milestones set either by the head of project or the board. They form the line of communication between the workforce on the ground and the key decision-makers, and report regularly to the board and possibly its clients on the progress of projects.
The skills required
Communication is at the heart of the head of project role. Whether the company has decided on the direction and timing of the project or whether you are at the helm, designing and overseeing it on a daily basis, your success depends upon the quality of information that flows from top to bottom and vice versa.
Experience of project management to a relevant level is an important qualification for the role, and if it is experience gained in the same sector as the company seeking a head of projects, so much the better. You need to demonstrate an ability to manage a team in whatever field is appropriate to a high standard, with evidence of hitting milestones and delivering complex projects on time and on budget.
Head of Projects Jobs in Widnes
At the north-eastern edge of Cheshire lies Widnes, a town of around 60,000 population built on heavy industry, particularly chemicals, where ICI had a huge presence for decades before fragmenting in the 1990s. The chemical industry chose Widnes partly for the plentiful supply of water, just like Runcorn, to which it is joined by a railway and road bridge over the Mersey.
The centre of Liverpool is 11 miles (17 km) to the west, with Liverpool John Lennon Airport just 4 miles (7km) form the centre of Widnes. Although not actually in Widnes, the Jaguar Land rover car production plant is just outside the town in Halewood, and it has been a large employer of people from Widnes. For decades the plant was owned by Ford, and the locals still cal the main boulevard that passes it “The Ford Road”. Under the new management, the factory is doing extremely well, helped by a local enthusiastic workforce.
Widnes has two musical claims to fame, one certain, one apocryphal. First was the Stone Roses’ Spike Island gig, the pinnacle of the Madchester scene in 1990. The second claim is that Paul Simon wrote “Homeward Bound” at Widnes Station, although Simon isn’t 100% sure himself!
Widnes has retained many of its industrial plants, although they are no longer owned by the giant ICI, and have been taken over by a multitude of companies. The well-connected town is handy for Liverpool, Warrington, St Helens and Runcorn, and has the M62 at its northern point. All this makes it a good place to locate any logistics operations, and indeed, Head of Projects jobs or similar positions have been through our system in Widnes.
Popular locations
Find Head of Projects Jobs with Cast UK
Cast UK only deals with executive, managerial and other senior positions, and we only recruit in a small selection of roles, including change and transformation. This is how we deliver excellent candidates to our clients. Both top talent and the most forward-looking companies come to Cast UK first where heads of project are concerned – we just bring them together.
Cast UK’s recruitment consultants are currently finding excellent positons for hundreds of people just like you who are looking for a project management job with a great package and fantastic prospects. Call us today on 0333 121 3345 to find out more.
Contact us