Community Development Project Manager - North West, Stockport SK1

Job specification

About Volunteer It Yourself (VIY) VIY combines volunteering and DIY by challenging young people aged 14-24 to learn trade and building skills, on the job, by helping to refurbish and transform youth and community facilities in need of essential improvements (e.g. youth clubs, community centres, sports clubs, and arts, music and cultural venues).

The majority of young people who take part and benefit are disengaged or excluded from mainstream education and training, at risk of disengagement, and/or unemployed.

VIY participants are mentored by professional tradespeople and gain vocational skills accreditations as well as access to further training, work placement and apprenticeship opportunities with local providers and employers beyond the project.

VIY launched in 2011 and, to date, over 850 youth and community buildings across England and Wales have been repaired/refurbished, involving 15,000 young people and 1,200 trade skills mentors.

VIY is scaling rapidly, reaching and benefitting even more young people and communities with the support of our partners, including Travis Perkins, Dulux, National Lottery, Postcode Lottery, Sport England, multiple local authorities and other brands/companies and grant funders. As such, we are now looking for a driven and ambitious Project Manager to join the team in the East Midlands at this exciting stage.

Job purpose

We are looking for someone with a minimum of four years’ experience in project management, who is excited about shaping an extraordinary offer for young people to help regenerate their communities and shape their futures. The right candidate will be an organised and passionate person with a proactive, hands-on attitude and the ability to cultivate relationships, motivate and influence people, spot opportunities and solve problems. Multi-tasking and managing multiple projects simultaneously will be an essential requirement.

VIY has grown significantly over the past two years, including in the scope and breadth of facility improvement projects we undertake. This increasingly includes, when/where appropriate, looking to support community venues with retrofit measures and works that help reduce energy wastage and energy costs and improve the energy efficiency of their buildings. Accordingly, the ideal candidate will have some knowledge and experience from within the residential/domestic or commercial retrofit market. However, applications are invited from all with strong project management experience with a passion for community impact.

VIY is fast moving and challenging and this role will require energy, determination and flexibility.

The role

Location: Flexible/Home-based. This role will primarily cover projects across the North West Regular travel will be required throughout the region and due to the location of the venues, a car and full driving licence will be required.

Key responsibilities:

Logistics/Project Management

• Lead on the set-up and delivery of individual VIY projects on-the-ground, including the engagement of venues, the management of trade skills mentors, project logistics and the overall building and youth outcomes of the project
• Scope project works with support from the Regional Lead Mentor and Construction Manager, as appropriate, and develop/manage budgets
• Regularly travel to project sites as part of the process of scoping and managing the project throughout its duration
• Engage with key partners such as Travis Perkins, Dulux and Toolstation to source materials and tools for the project
• Work with VIY’s Mentor team, Project Management team and health and safety support to ensure a high standard of safety is maintained across projects

Stakeholder Management

• Work with the venue to ensure the project meets the agreed scope and expected standard
• Identify opportunities/partners to engage community volunteers on the project
• Day-to-day communication with Lead Mentors
• Regular liaison with VIY Programme Management team to ensure regional targets are fulfilled
• Liaise with Communications Manager to identify positive comms opportunities relating to young people/ volunteers/ mentors

Other

• Track and report on delivery-focused outcomes/milestones (e.g. number of projects /young people/ accreditations/progressions achieved)

Person specification

Skills, experience and knowledge

Essential

• A minimum of three years’ experience in project management
• Ability to communicate with people/stakeholders of very different backgrounds/circumstances
• Experience of partnership/multi-stakeholder working and liaison
• Passionate and demonstrably committed to social action/community based projects
• Absolute attention to detail
• Ability to work on your own initiative and problem solve
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Absolute discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality
• Willingness to learn new skills
• Ability to work in a small, evolving and nimble/flexible organisation
• Willingness to work evenings as required

Desirable

• Experience of working across projects involving multiple sites/locations
• Experience of social action/community based projects
• Working knowledge of construction/DIY
• Knowledge and experience of managing/delivering energy-efficiency retrofit building improvement works
• Experience of projects involving young people and volunteers
• Experience in briefing and managing teams of people
• Experience of working in an evolving and nimble/flexible organisation

What’s it like to work at VIY?

VIY has grown rapidly over the last 2 years, from a small team of six to more than 20. We are a close-knit team of like minded individuals, committed to making a difference to the lives of young people and the communities they live in. Team work and ‘can-do’ attitudes are prevalent throughout all our colleagues, as is a commitment to our values; progressive, flexible, inclusive, collaborative and passionate.

Whilst people work remotely across 5 main regions in England, regional teams are encouraged to meet up regularly, and we come together as a national team several times a year.

Terms and conditions
Salary: Starting from £32,000 (depending on experience)
Hours: Full time. Hours are 9am-5.30pm.
Occasional evening work may be necessary.
Leave: 25 days per annum (plus bank holidays)

For further information about VIY please visit

Pay: From £32,000.00 per year

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Stockport SK1