Development Project Sponsor - Capital Programme Projects
Permanent
Full Time, 37 hours per week
Up to £56,662 per annum
Location: Chelmsford*
Closing Date: 8th November 2026
*This is a hybrid-working role. You will work from the Chelmsford office and/or across our operational area 2-3 days per week, depending on business need. This can be discussed further at interview.
Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.
The Opportunity
The Capital Investment and Infrastructure Delivery team develop and deliver the capital Programme for Essex County Council. The team will focus on developing opportunities for capital investment in order to deliver on statutory obligations of Capital Programme management and delivery of construction projects to support the Council’s strategic priorities.
Development Project Sponsors are responsible for the overall strategy, governance, stakeholder management, budget, implementation, control, reporting, and completion of Capital projects within strict budget and deadlines.
Applicants will have professional accreditation or a deep understanding of Programme management methodologies and the ability to demonstrate this in the delivery of projects. This right applicant will also have experience of developing and maintaining project plans and managing resources to meet set milestones.
Accountabilities
Lead the delivery of regeneration, building and parks capital projects from feasibility through to completion, ensuring successful outcomes against scope, programme, budget and quality objectives.
Develop business cases, feasibility studies and project proposals to support investment and decision-making.
Manage project budgets, risks, governance and resources, ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory and Council requirements.
Procure, appoint and manage consultants and contractors, monitoring performance and delivery.
Lead stakeholder, community and Member engagement activities, ensuring effective communication and consultation.
Support the wider Capital Delivery programme through collaborative working, knowledge sharing and mentoring of junior colleagues.
Undertake other duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the role.
The Experience You Will Bring
Essential
- Level 4 qualification or above in a Built Environment discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
- Significant experience delivering capital building, regeneration or infrastructure projects through the project lifecycle.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, consultants, contractors and delivery partners.
- Experience managing project budgets, business cases, funding, financial appraisals and value-for-money assessments and managing project risks, and competing priorities
- Knowledge of planning, construction procurement and contract management.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, including engagement with residents, Members and external organisations, negotiation and report-writing skills, with the ability to influence and present complex information effectively.
Desirable
- Professional qualifications or accreditation such as APM PMQ, PRINCE2 Practitioner, CIOB, RICS or equivalent.
- Experience working within a local authority or wider public-sector environment, delivering education, SEND or other public-sector capital projects.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout Essex our operational area. Therefore, due to the nature of the role, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle.
To read more about us please visit: Policy, Economy, Investment and Property
Why Essex? Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England’s oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and Harlow – are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more about us.
In March 2026, Greater Essex was accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our careers site.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We are committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.
We are also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
What you should do next
If you are interested in finding out more about this role, we would love to hear from you. Please apply via the Working for Essex website.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk
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