Vacancy – Project Manager

Aura provides building consultancy, construction, facilities management and investment. We work principally with private and public sector clients including Local Authorities, Schools, Academies, Universities and Colleges.

A significant portion of works are through repeat clients where we have long established relationships. We work with a large supply chain including design consultancies, Principle Contractors and investors.

Our aim is to be an exemplar partner to our clients. Our goal is to continue to provide a high-quality service to existing clients, expand the service offering to existing clients and utilise our expertise in areas such as healthcare, education, sustainability and building investment to expand our client base.

Aura website www.auranortheast.com

Job Description

As part of our company development plans we are looking for a self-motivated Project Manager. The Project Manager will be responsible for a diverse range of duties. The role will be based at the Aura offices in Gateshead and from home, some ad hoc regional and national travel will be required. Aura will provide IT equipment to enable home and office working.

The role will be involved in the management and delivery of construction & operational projects and consultancy services.

We are looking for someone who has the capability to self-start, genuinely motivated to learn and succeed. The role will require good communication skills and a can-do attitude is essential.  This role would suit someone who is interested in experiencing a wide range of elements in the built environment from design, construction, maintenance through to de-carbonisation.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

  • Act as Employers Agent in managing construction projects up to £2m reporting to the Aura Senior Project Manager. Working with the Client to establish the scope of work, identify design team and design scope, select Principal Contractor, support contract and price negotiations and oversee the delivery of the site works to completion
  • Project manage operational education, design and commercial projects supporting the Aura Senior Project Manager. Liaising with the School and Local Authority clients on variations and operational issues, monitoring the facilities management contractor performance, producing monthly operational reports and coordinating any site or contractual issues.
  • Project manage multi-disciplinary design teams supporting the Aura team lead to deliver consultancy contracts for a wide range of projects. Coordinating design team actions in line with the bid and pricing proposals, overseeing the consultancy team progress against the bid programme. Supporting the Aura lead to generate the detailed contract schedules for design scope of works. Liaising with the Aura senior lead to support in the management of any issues.
  • Assist in the management of multi-disciplinary teams in-line with specialist professional roles such as those relating to CDM regulations or H&S advisors
  • Assist in the contract management for standard form contracts including NEC3 and JCT including consultancy and construction
  • Assist in the contract management and project management services in relation to PFI (Private Finance Initiative) Contracts
  • Develop draft project programmes for review by the Aura lead
  • Assist with the commercial reporting on project and consultancy fee line items
  • Contribute and assist with business development, bid writing and marketing towards work winning opportunities

Essential Skills

  • Degree or proven experience in the Built Environment
  • Excellent word processing skills including Word, Powerpoint and Excel
  • Excellent English and maths skills
  • Excellent Organisational and Communication Skills
  • Production of timely and accurate reports
  • Able to work effectively on own
  • Able to foster excellent relationships 

Advantageous Knowledge & Skills

  • Degree in Quantity or Building Surveying desirable or other related qualifications with proven experience in the field
  • Understanding of professional project management services in accordance with an accredited body such as RICS or APM
  • Safety and safeguarding -evidence of current training and qualifications such as CSCS card, DBS clearances, asbestos awareness etc
  • Ability to competently use built environment IT packages included Microsoft Project & Viewpoint
  • Professional qualification Chartered with RICS, CIOB or APM or working towards qualification in this field

Salary – Depending upon experience

Hybrid working 

Please send your CV and cover letter to the team email: aura.team@auranortheast.com

 

Vacancy – Project Manager2022-06-29T13:28:41+00:00

Take control early for a successful PFI Handback

A new set of challenges is coming down the track for the NHS as over 130 PFI contracts approach handback in the next few years.

Gareth Devine, one of our PFI specialists warns against leaving it too late to start preparing for a successful PFI Handback in our latest editorial within the March 2021 HEFMA pulse magazine.  Read the full article here.  

Get in touch with the team to discuss how we can support your PFI Handback.  Our contact details are;

Vikki Hetherington
Project Manager
E-Mail – v.hetherington@auranortheast.com
Telephone – 0191 481 3557
Mobile – 07875 305605

Take control early for a successful PFI Handback2021-03-30T09:03:12+00:00

No time to lose on PFI Handback

Gareth Devine, one of our PFI specialists discusses how to manage the risks associated with the contractual end of PFI Contracts within the January 2021 edition of HEFMA Pulse magazine.

The key to a successful PFI handback lies within early review and effective joint planning. If you are associated with a PFI Contract that is approaching PFI handback in the next ten years, even if this seems somewhat distant, the Aura team would be keen to have an initial discussion with you about the appropriate actions based on your contract’s complexity and how we might assist.

Read the full article here

No time to lose on PFI Handback2021-01-27T18:57:59+00:00

Works complete on Gosforth Academy extension

Works complete on Gosforth Academy extension in time for the school returning in September 2020. The project comprised of 4 classrooms, staff room, toilets, lift and a flexible learning space in the atrium to provide additional accommodation for the Academy.

Aura were appointed by Newcastle City Council to provide design and build, project and contract management services, a project led by Howard Davies, one of our Senior Project Managers.

Aura were supported by a strong delivery team of Robertson Construction, A.E. Robb & Associates, 3E Consulting Engineers, Todd Milburn and Ian Belsham Associates.

 

Works complete on Gosforth Academy extension2020-12-02T16:04:43+00:00

Kirsty Thirlwell wins the CENE Outstanding Achievement Award 2020

We are absolutely delighted that our CEO, Kirsty Thirlwell won the Outstanding Achievement award in the Constructing Excellence in the North East Awards 2020.

As a team, we are thrilled that Kirsty has been recognised as the inspirational leader she is, who is committed, ambitious and dedicated to achieving the very best. Over the years, Kirsty’s exemplary actions have changed the performance and behaviour of a number of individuals in the industry.

Well done Kirsty, we are so pleased for you!

Kirsty Thirlwell wins the CENE Outstanding Achievement Award 20202020-12-02T15:39:05+00:00

New Appointment at Aura

North East building consultancy, Aura, has appointed Frances Carey as Bid and Business Development Coordinator.

Frances joins the firm from her previous role as marketing coordinator in an architectural practice, where she managed communications and bid strategy to support successful business development. She holds a BA in History from Newcastle University along with a postgraduate MA in International Marketing and Cross Cultural Studies.

Aura Chief Executive, Kirsty Thirlwell, said “We’re delighted to welcome Frances to our team. She will play an integral role in working with colleagues to secure new business with winning solutions that meet our clients’ needs”.

New Appointment at Aura2020-09-28T13:27:59+00:00

Vacancy – Bid and Business Development Coordinator

About Aura:

Aura is an established building consultancy, providing construction services, PFI Handback & post contract facilities management services, asset management, property management, investment services and bid development. We work in close partnership with our clients, ensuring that their needs are fully met on every project. We have an expansive supply chain providing flexibility and choice, ensuring successful outomes that are on time and budget. Our service on each project is tailored to suit out clients’ requirements with the emphasis on the quality of service we provide. Our ethos is centred around fostering lasting working relationships with both our clients and supply chain, and we pride ourselves on the numerous success stories of our projects in the last 15 years.

About the Role:

As part of our company development plans, we are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated Bid/Business Development Coordinator to work alongside our existing team in the Gateshead office. The Bid/Business Development Coordinator role will be responsible for a diverse range of duties that are essential to the running of any company. This includes primarily; bid management, business development, Quality Management System upkeep, and marketing. The role will also look to encompass website management, and general administration and office duties.

We are looking for someone who has the capability to work on their own initiative and drive change. The role will involve working closely in a small team environment, so good communication skills and a can-do attitude is essential. This role would suit someone who is enthusiastic, confident, and happy to learn new skills, it is an important role to the business and will contribute to the lasting success of Aura in meeting its objectives and long-term strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Manage existing bid portals such as NEPO, TED, OJEU to assist in the “Bid Go/Bid No Go” process
  • Manage the full Bid Lifecycle for all incoming bids
  • Producing good quality content drafting, primarily dealing with common bid themes and standard bid requirements
  • Working with the wider bid team to produce high quality documents used in submissions (the use of InDesign would be advantageous)
  • Working with in-house Project Managers to produce content for inclusion on the website, mail shots, twitter etc.
  • Managing the Quality Management System ISO 9001:2015 & 14001
  • Maintaining appropriate company certification including ISO, Construction Line, ACCLAIM etc.
  • Coordinating all Aura, SPV and NNT LIFT boards

Key Duties:

  • Reviewing and updating company marketing including company presentations, hard and soft copy marketing documents
  • Providing key skills to support the bid process, including bid lifecycle management, content drafting, proof reading, compilation of bids, reviewing wider bid team responses for compliance with client requirements, compilation of supporting documentation & drafting and gathering client feedback on bids and incorporating into future bids
  • Undertaking relevant audits such as Quality Management System and office Health & Safety
  • Preparing, recording and dispatching the board minutes for Aura and SPV boards
  • Planning and managing marketing events including workshops and conferences
  • Bringing new ideas to the team to enhance the bids, the Aura brand, awareness of Aura and the Aura services
  • General office administration, e.g. organising meetings, coordination of diary’s, filing, control of petty cash, answering phone etc.

Essential Skills:

  • High level of competency on Microsoft office suite (Word, Power Point and Excel etc.)
  • Marketing; specifically, the production of high-quality bids
  • Bid Management (Bid Lifecycle Coordination & Bid Writing)
  • Organisational Skills
  • Recording minutes of Board Meetings
  • Being able to foster excellent relations with clients, staff and suppliers
  • Construction Industry Knowledge

Advantageous Knowledge & Skills:

  • Knowledge of Educational Organisations
  • Knowledge of Framework Contracts
  • Financial Awareness
  • Experience in Managing Community Projects
  • Website Management
  • Proficient in Adobe InDesign
  • Quality Management Experience

Competitive Salary

If you are interested in the above opportunity, please submit your CV and Covering Letter to the team via email on aura.team@auranortheast.com

Closing Date – Noon Tuesday 11th August 2020.  

Interviews will be held between Thursday 13th August – Wednesday 19th August 2020.

Due to the current circumstances all interviews will be held remotely via ZOOM Video Conferencing Facility.

Vacancy – Bid and Business Development Coordinator2020-07-28T13:49:31+00:00

PFI Handback and Post Contract Facilities Management Services

Are you ready for PFI Handback? 

Aura’s PFI Handback and Post Contract Facilities Management Service can help public and private sector clients achieve an effective conclusion of the concession contract and commencement of new services.

See our flyer for further information.

 

PFI Handback and Post Contract Facilities Management Services2020-06-03T12:42:24+00:00

NEW APPOINTMENT AT AURA

Aura, the North East building consultancy, continues to grow its team with the appointment of Gareth Devine as Senior Project Manager.

Gareth brings more than 25 years’ experience in the construction sector, managing the successful delivery of major infrastructure projects across the UK. He has over 17 years’ specialist experience in PFI and strategic asset management and has led private public partnerships with Durham and Lancashire County Councils and Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. He will lead the growth of Aura’s new PFI Handback and post contractual facilities management service, recently launched to provide expert advice to manage the process of asset transfer and management at the end of PFI contracts.

Aura Chief Executive, Kirsty Thirlwell said:

“We are delighted that Gareth has joined the team, adding significant strength in depth to the business as we continue to develop our client service in line with our strategic growth plan.

“Gareth will lead the development of our PFI Handback service which offers expert advice and a detailed process to manage the return of assets as many PFI contracts are now nearing the expiry of their contractual term.”

Aura, based in Gateshead, specialises in building consultancy, design and construction, property management and investment. The company has a proven track record and has delivered over £750 million of infrastructure projects in the last 10 years.

NEW APPOINTMENT AT AURA2020-05-18T12:13:21+00:00

AURA LAUNCHES PFI HANDBACK SERVICE

Aura, has launched a specialist service for organisations involved in the growing number of PFI projects that are approaching the end of their contractual term.

With over 70 years combined experience of PFI projects in health, community and education sectors, the team at Aura will advise the public sector, project companies and service providers, equipping them to address the risks and challenges of PFI handback and Post Contract Facilities Management. The national service will advise clients on maintenance options after a contract has finished and ensure that assets and equipment are returned in line with contractual standards.

Announcing the new service, Aura Chief Executive, Kirsty Thirlwell, said:

“There are currently over 700 operational PFI contracts in the UK with a capital value of around £60 billion, many of which are approaching the end of their life. It’s imperative to have a detailed understanding of the contractual obligations for assets being returned. This is a process that needs to start at least 5 years before the handover deadline.”

“Our team has extensive knowledge of PFI and lifecycle, having supported the delivery of some of the biggest PFI projects in the UK.”

Aura North East, based in Gateshead, specialises in building consultancy, design and construction, PFI Handback, property management and asset and investment management.

For further information on our PFI Handback and Post Contract Facilities Management Services, please visit our website. 

 

AURA LAUNCHES PFI HANDBACK SERVICE2020-05-05T13:25:11+00:00