Community Play Space Project Manager

Job Description and Person Specification

• Organisation: London Play Design
• Location: London, UK
• Hours: 35 hours per week / Full-time / Hybrid
• Responsible to: General Manager
• Responsible for: LPD team members such as engineers and carpenters (including freelancers), volunteers (including corporate volunteers)
• Application Deadline: 30th of August

About London Play Design (LPD)

Formerly a department of the children's charity London Play, London Play Design was set up in 2017. We are a non-profit Community Interest Company and social enterprise dedicated to creating and improving community play spaces across London. We are committed to children's play and providing vibrant, safe, and engaging environments for children and families. Our work focuses on innovative design, active community involvement, and sustainable practices.

Job Description and Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Technical Project Manager for our community playspace projects. You will be responsible for the construction, maintenance, and repairs of community play spaces such as London's supervised adventure playgrounds.

Tasks and Duties:

• Site Inspection and Planning:

• Conduct thorough inspections of play spaces to assess their state of repair and identify construction, maintenance, and repair needs.

• Interpret play safety reports and risk assessments carried out by other parties.

• Compile detailed risk assessments, method statements, and project plans for construction, repair, and maintenance processes and subsequent use by children and young people.

• Project Coordination:

• Develop project plans detailing timelines, budgets, and resource needs.

• Coordinate with the operational manager for materials and logistics.

• Supervise carpenters and engineers, and perform hands-on tasks.

• Team Leadership:

• Lead a small team of project staff and groups of corporate volunteers.

• Ensure all team members understand their roles and project goals to deliver successful outcomes.

• Volunteer Management:

• Plan, deliver, and evaluate volunteer days.

• Conduct volunteer inductions, provide clear instructions, and ensure health and safety.

• Oversee activities to maintain a safe working environment for volunteers.

• Area Development Plans:

• Deliver technical aspects of LPD's development plans to redesign, repair, and maintain adventure playgrounds in several London boroughs.

• Quality Assurance and Site Safety:

• Ensure all projects meet quality and safety standards.

• Community Engagement:

• Engage with local communities to understand their needs and preferences, ensuring projects are reflective of and beneficial to the community.

• Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintain comprehensive records of project progress.

• Provide regular updates to the line manager and other stakeholders.

• Administrative Duties:

• Fill in project reports, keep and file receipts.

• Perform admin work required by LPD's various departments.

• Implementation of Policies and Procedures:

• Implement LPD's policies and procedures, including health & safety, data protection, and financial management.

• Liaison and Joint Management:

• Liaise with the line manager and colleagues.

• Jointly manage company aspects such as premises, vehicles, assets, tools, etc.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

1. Practical experience in engineering, carpentry, construction, or related fields.
2. Experience implementing health and safety policies in an engineering, carpentry, or construction environment.
3. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
4. Experience leading a small team with the ability to delegate tasks.
5. Friendly, personable, reliable, punctual, trustworthy, and a team worker.
6. Proficiency in basic software packages (MS Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Desirable Criteria:

1. Professional or academic qualifications in engineering, carpentry, construction, or relevant fields.
2. Additional training/qualifications relevant to the role.
3. Knowledge of adventure play and/or playwork.
4. Knowledge of play safety regulations and/or play space design.
5. Full, clean driving license and willingness to drive a van in London.
6. Experience or knowledge of the voluntary/charity/not-for-profit sector.
7. Experience or knowledge of social media.
8. Experience using 3D design software (e.g., Google SketchUp, Rhino).

Why Join Us?

• Impact: Contribute to transforming community spaces across London.
• Innovative Environment: Work with a creative and dedicated team.
• Skill Development: Enhance expertise in project management, technical design, and community engagement.
• Flexible Working: Enjoy flexible arrangements for a meaningful work-life balance.

Benefits:

• Annual leave, AE pension, and sick pay above statutory levels.
• Provision of tools, equipment, PPE, and work clothes.
• Performance bonuses.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Commitment to sustainability and ethical practices.

How to Apply

If you are passionate about making a difference and meet the qualifications for this role, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience, why you are interested in joining London Play Design, and how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for this role.

Please note: Applications that do not meet the essential criteria will not be shortlisted for an interview, so be sure to address these in your cover letter.