Bosses at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) are currently searching for the right candidate to oversee the repair of the organisation’s stricken funicular railway.
The vehicle, the main way for snow sports enthusiasts to scale the famed mountain, will remain out of action for the upcoming winter period due to its current state.
Managers at HIE confirmed last week that the Cairngorm funicular will be repaired – because fixing it is cheaper than clearing the mountain.
Spokesman James Gibbs said: “We have an indicative cost of repairs, which is less than the cost of removing the funicular.”
A previous costing for reinstating the mountain to its original condition was put at £30-£50 million, with HIE committing to a “long-term vision for Cairngorm.”
A combination of public procurement regulations and extreme weather conditions during the winter means the earliest a programme of repairs could begin would be spring or summer next year.
The railway was taken out of service last October, due to serious concerns about its supporting structure, with piers, beams and foundations all requiring strengthening alongside the installation of new bearings before the attraction can reopen for business.
Now, the organisation is seeking a project manager to oversee the repair work, with the role carrying a fixed-term period of employment of three years.
Within the advert, HIE confirms it is looking for an “experienced, proactive and ambitious Project Manager to join our property team.”
The full-time, 35-hour per week role, has a starting salary of £43,245 with the potential to progress to reach an upper figure of £51,610.
The successful candidate to the role, which is based in Inverness, will “progress the detailed design phase of the project to repair the funicular railway at Cairngorm mountain”, and work with HIE on “the procurement of a masterplan for Cairngorm”.
Part of the role will also entail liaising with key stakeholders and managing the external team of consultants.
The advert adds: “It’s essential that you are a proven leader who can quickly build strong working relationships” with technical skills and experience in “leading on the delivery of large scale, complex construction or civil engineering projects.”
Strong risk assessment and management skills, alongside a good understanding of health and safety legislation, is also sought by the mountain’s owners.
The closing date for applications for the role of project manager is Sunday, August 25.
