JOBS: Senior Manager Group Projects & Cost Management at Equity Bank Kenya

Description 

Equity Bank is one of the region’s leading banks whose purpose is to transform the lives and livelihoods of the people of Africa socially and economically by availing them of modern and inclusive financial services that maximize their opportunities. With a strong footprint in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, and DRC Congo, Equity Bank is now home to over 12 million customers - the largest customer base in Africa. Currently, the Bank is seeking additional talent to serve in the role outlined below.

Be the primary point of contact and responsible for the end-to-end delivery of a range of real estate construction projects including fit-out and refurbishment for the bank. Be the key representative for day-to-day interface management between the bank, its stakeholders, customer, and consultants, ensuring that Banks' objectives are met and that projects are delivered to time, to cost, and the appropriate quality standards. In addition, the role will contribute to the overall strategic and operational management of the property and facilities management unit within the bank and be responsible for delegated development tasks and opportunities.

Governance

• Consistency in adherence to and application of established policies processes and tools to achieve optimal efficiency, compliance, and cost containment for all projects at all stages
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory legislation as applies to construction,  fit-out, and refurbishment projects
• Set up and manage the change control process
• Manage and mitigate associated risks to enable the organization to meet its obligations and maximize business opportunities.
• Provide inputs to site due diligence and feasibility study to ascertain the viability of the projects.
• Evaluating and monitoring site compliance to statutory requirements and to health and safety requirements in liaison with the HSE manager
• Ensure that project Quality Assurance/Quality Control procedures are adhered to at all times

Project Financials/cost Management

• Provide inputs in cost-benefit analysis, risk analysis, and Return on Investment (ROI) calculations to determine project feasibility
• Work with Supply chain and provide inputs on procurement strategy;
• Conduct initial technical analysis on projects that includes scrutinizing the Bill of Quantities and the approved plans with a view to advance on the adequacy of the proposed costs in line with the current market cost estimates, informing the ‘value for money decision and direction.
• Oversee the adherence to all project costs to ensure completion within approved budgets, ensuring project costs are monitored and tracked accordingly.
• Identify functional cost drivers for individual projects and build a cost model to aid decision making, setting the scene for cost-related KPIs and success factors
• Advise in the auditing and  preparation of value engineering reports as required
• Perform risk analysis and mitigation, value/cost management, and cost controls
• Responsible and accountable for all project  cost information and data, ensuring the integrity of the data

Project Contracts and documentation

• Be proficient in the selection of procurement routes and solutions, and advise on the commercial terms necessary to create a balanced form of contract.
• Work with the Supply chain team to negotiate, prepare, monitor, and evaluate project contracts.
• Review the profiles of the project implementation team(s) that include the pre-qualification and selection of the technical team, registration with relevant 
• bodies, professional indemnity cover, and value of previous works undertaken and give advice on the capability of the appointed team to undertake the proposed project
• Review submitted project documentation that includes but is not limited to titles, approved architectural drawings, specifications, structural & MEPI drawings, NEMA approvals/Licenses.
• Undertake a timely review of Contracts with Legal Department before execution
• Ensure timely 100% execution of contracts, mitigate risk exposure to the bank
• Review and provide advice and input for all contractual claims, and negotiate the same in favor of the bank.
• Ensure all contractual issues are resolved and dealt with in a timely manner.
• Manage contractor site meetings, Request for Instructions (RFI’s), Request for Approval (RFA), invoices, valuation certificates, and control document processes.
• Manage project completion processes and project documentation stage by stage.
• Manage all stage closures securing stakeholder sign-offs prior to proceeding to the successive stage (Gateways).

Project Management  Processes & Reporting  

• Establish project planning deliverables schedules, stages, and programs to provide a road map to the consultants and the contractor (Development Program Planner).
• In liaison with the project implementation teams design drawdown schedules tailored to the project implementation and timing
• Monitor and apply performance management techniques, including the use of KPIs to improve project delivery efficiency and success factors
• Establish a Project Charter for each project, defining the projects goals, objectives, risk & value management, assumptions, staffing levels, roles and responsibilities, work breakdown structure, milestones, and deliverables (Stakeholder mapping)
• Managing the flow of project information between the consultant, team, and stakeholders, through regular meetings and written communications
• Coordinate and manage the project consultant’s team
• Establish and delivery mechanisms for tracking project progress and reporting
• Oversee total construction effort to ensure projects are delivered in accordance with approved design, budget, and schedule.
• Monitor and report on construction progress through progress and monthly reports/dashboard, highlighting any deviations and corrective action/recovery planning.
• Documentation of maintenance of a database for all lessons learned from the project conduct timely workshops for data capture.

Supplier/ Customer Performance

• Manage the preparation of all project-related correspondence, including supplier performance communication, in line with corporate brand guidelines
• Develop appropriate consultant and contractor  interface management
• Work with the legal department, Supply chain, Group Head of Property & Admin to execute Contract claims  and penalties as relates to project contracts where necessary
• Schedules site visits and stakeholder engagements regularly
• Enhance internal and external customer relationships and ensure the customer is satisfied with our support.
• Scheduling and implementation of internal and external stakeholders’ engagement through meetings, customer experience engagement, and branch visits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Build Environment, Construction Management or other relevant disciplines
• Desired work experience: Minimum of 5 - 10 years proven experience in a similar role in project management of real estate constructions. The ideal candidate will also have fit-out project experience

Technical  Competencies

• Have detailed knowledge of the technical aspects of construction, including first-hand experience with a variety of building systems (RC frame, masonry, timber frame, and earthen methods are particularly relevant); including experience in fit-out and refurbishment contracts
• A strong understanding of quality standards and compliance requirements, including knowledge of construction health and safety;
• Create, read and interpret technical documentation and drawings required to execute a project, considering best industry practice.
• Trained and proficient in commonly used industry software (AutoCAD, MS Office/Project), and an aptitude for learning new software;
• Strong leadership skills and confidence directing and supervising teams of people
• Key managerial skills, including having had control over construction budgets and schedules.

Behavioral Competencies

• Negotiating skills- ability to negotiate contract  terms to achieve the best value in the market within the relevant parameters
• Interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with and manage customer expectations (internal and external), and other stakeholders who affect performance.
• Self-empowerment to enable the development of open communication, teamwork, and trust that is needed to support performance
• Organizational skills: ability to prioritize, plan, coordinate, work under pressure and without supervision.
• Teamwork and leadership skills: the ability to work independently while at the same time being an active team player.
• Personal Ethics: Must be honest and with a high level of integrity
• Able to make decisions, initiative, and innovation in executing work.
• Communication Skills- ability to resolve disputes amicably, meet deadlines, and professionally respond to queries and concerns
• Speaks out and leads by the front.

Closing Date Mar 30, 2022