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The Project Manager’s role at CIRIA
CIRIA Project Managers are responsible for the development and delivery of
a portfolio of 'projects' including research studies, the production of guidance
documents, conferences, training and event facilitation.
The work will suit individuals who come from a research background or equally from an industry background who regularly question ‘why do we do it this way?’ or ‘what is best practice in this area’, and who would welcome the opportunity to work with industry experts to produce the guidance documents for which CIRIA is recognized.
CIRIA projects are typically valued in the range of £10k - £200k. They are usually desk-studies, although some will involve field work and/or implementation trials.
Projects are usually collaboratively funded, although many are won through competitive tender. The Project Manager will lead on both these aspects within their areas. Project outputs are typically publications, events, training, web-sites etc.
Projects are generally sub-contracted to specialist consulting or other organisations (project contractors - PC) who undertake the detailed desk or field work. The PCs are overseen by an independent industry steering group chaired by a representative of industry.
The Project Manager is responsible for the overall delivery of the project:
• Raising the funding or responding to tender opportunities
• Liaising with sponsors and funders
• Managing the project contractor and project steering group
• Liaising with publishing and events teams to deliver the outputs.
They therefore need to be good networkers and enjoy sharing and developing ideas with others, and developing ideas into fully-costed projects.
Project Managers work with leading industry experts and a range of stakeholders including design and other consultants, building and civil engineering contractors, clients, regulators and policy bodies etc.
The Project Manager role at CIRIA will provide an opportunity to:
• Broaden understanding of a range of leading edge industry issues and
the differing perspectives of stakeholders.
• Work alongside leading private and public-sector organisations.
• Form wide networks within the relevant industry sectors.
• Develop interesting portfolios of projects that will help improve
awareness and drive change across the industry and its clients.
CIRIA’s structure is sufficiently flexible to permit project managers over time to either build extensive programmes of work or to become involved in new areas. Managers have found that the experience and contacts gained at CIRIA open up a number of opportunities within the wider industry. Many go on to more senior positions in industry.
Project Managers are required to :
• be good communicators
• appreciate the views of different stakeholders
• appreciate the needs of the end-users of information
• identify project opportunities and develop funded projects liaising
with organisations with an interest in having access to better guidance in
the area.
Since most of CIRIA’s work is sub-contracted, the opportunity for individuals for “hands-on” work is limited with most managing a portfolio of projects involving several external teams rather than undertaking a detailed technical project within CIRIA.