What you'll do

We’re looking for a Trainee Project Manager who wants to make a difference whilst gaining the knowledge and experience to become a Project Manager.

As an Optivo Trainee Project Manager within our New Business division you’ll have the exciting opportunity to contribute and help grow our development programme to at least 1,500 homes per annum and involving an expenditure of over £400M per annum.

In this exciting role you will:

Be guided to source and progress new development opportunities to contribute towards delivering Optivo’s growth targets across London, the Counties and the Midlands.

Commission and liaise with landowners, agents, developers, planners, legal advisors, valuers, architects, and other consultants to produce all documentation required to acquire sites and procure new residential led developments.

Assist in the preparation of bids, which will include researching sites and appraising schemes, therefore a high level of analytical mathematical skills and attention to detail is required.  You will be appointing consultants and producing reports for officer level groups and Committees to secure approval to enter into contracts.

Liaise with internal and external client departments (construction, sales and marketing, operations, asset, finance governance, local authorities and grant funding partners) to secure agreement to acquire sites and ensure competing priorities are resolved

Provide regular information and reports on progress, Cashflow maintenance of schemes and achievement of key milestones.

What you'll need:

As an Optivo Trainee Project Manager you’ll have a strong awareness of the Land and New Business process and prior knowledge / experience of:

• Project Management (Preferably within a Development environment)
• Business Relationship Management (Preferably within a New Business function)
• Development knowledge
• A genuine passion for creating affordable homes and great places to live (Preferably experience within a Housing Association, Developer or House Builder)
• Construction or an understanding of the construction process

You will also be expected to have effective risk management skills along with a demonstrable understanding of the Development process across a range of building and tenure types.

You’ll have an understanding of the financial elements of development projects and their impact on scheme viability.  Previous experience or ability to use excel based development appraisal software is advantageous.  Along with an entry level understanding of contract structures and other legal aspects of development and planning.

This role will also require the successful candidate to have a basic understanding of HE/GLA standards, requirements and procedures, and the ability to optimise levels of grant into schemes. And knowledge of relevant land markets, and what it takes to be competitive in them

Closing Date: Thursday 3rd February 2022 at 23.59

What's in it for you

• Pension
• Life assurance
• Healthcare cash plan
• Eyecare & dental
• Birthday leave
• Retailers discounts
• Cycle to work
• Buy & sell annual leave
• Season ticket loan
• In-house academy & career development
• Flexible working

Inclusion and Diversity
At Optivo we work hard to create a diverse and inclusive culture and environment where people are respected for who they are. Encouraging inclusion is not just about protected characteristics, it’s about celebrating differences of thought, opinion, experience and perspective of each individual. We’re all different in our own way and we want our colleagues to feel comfortable, that they belong, and are safe to be themselves at work, without fear of being judged or excluded, but valued for their contribution to our One Team approach.