Head of Projects - Derry

Head of Projects Jobs

If change and transformation are to be successful, particularly in large and complex organisations, it’s often not good enough to rely on departmental managers to apply change dictated by the board. That is why companies who are serious about ensuring C&T goes smoothly employ teams dedicated to delivering their projects, and these teams are led by heads of projects. The head of projects can mean quite a wide range of things depending on the business. Sometimes it is one of a number of project managers dealing with a small number of distinct workstreams in a department; other times the head of projects is a board level employee overseeing a whole company and all its projects.

Whatever the nature of the role, the head of projects is in charge of ensuring the right people are in place and that they are all working to hit the milestones set either by the head of project or the board. They form the line of communication between the workforce on the ground and the key decision-makers, and report regularly to the board and possibly its clients on the progress of projects.

The skills required

Communication is at the heart of the head of project role. Whether the company has decided on the direction and timing of the project or whether you are at the helm, designing and overseeing it on a daily basis, your success depends upon the quality of information that flows from top to bottom and vice versa.

Experience of project management to a relevant level is an important qualification for the role, and if it is experience gained in the same sector as the company seeking a head of projects, so much the better. You need to demonstrate an ability to manage a team in whatever field is appropriate to a high standard, with evidence of hitting milestones and delivering complex projects on time and on budget.

Head of Projects Jobs in Derry

Derry is often called Londonderry after being granted a royal charter by James I (and is called Derry-Londonderry on its UK City of Culture 2013 website). The county, city and district variously share the name, but they all refer to the same place. Derry was the last city in Europe to be walled, in the early 17th century, and most if not all of the wall remains today. It was an important seaport, and played a huge part in World War II owing to its position as the westernmost port in the UK, indeed Allied Europe, as Iceland was neutral.

In peacetime, the city had a reputation as a shirt maker, with several factories springing up to make men’s shirts for export and domestic use. As with the Northern mill towns of England, however, this industry was all but gone by the 1980s, with most of this kind of work moving to Asia.

An important employer in the city has been Du Pont, who made Neoprene there for years, and more recently switched production to Kevlar and Lycra. There is also a burgeoning hi-tech manufacturing sector in the city. Seagate Technology, one of the world’s top hard disk drive manufacturers, makes more than half of its read/write heads in the Derry factory. The city is also home to Northern Ireland’s largest private company, Desmonds, plus a healthy smattering of multinationals.

With a population of around 100,000, a thriving shopping centre and a good deal of industry popping up in this regenerating city, Derry would appear to be a prime location to look for Head of Projects positions.

Popular locations

Find Head of Projects Jobs with Cast UK

Cast UK only deals with executive, managerial and other senior positions, and we only recruit in a small selection of roles, including change and transformation. This is how we deliver excellent candidates to our clients. Both top talent and the most forward-looking companies come to Cast UK first where heads of project are concerned – we just bring them together.

Cast UK’s recruitment consultants are currently finding excellent positons for hundreds of people just like you who are looking for a project management job with a great package and fantastic prospects. Call us today on 0333 121 3345 to find out more.

Contact us