Construction Programme Manager

About the role

You will be accountable for the successful delivery of a variety of retail and non-retail construction projects from inception to completion, with an exceptional customer focus.
You will work with internal customers/ stakeholders to develop the brief and offer cost effective solutions and options as the brief develops, taking ownership for the end to end programme.
You will work with the external supply chain to develop robust programmes, technical solutions and delivery teams to develop and manage the design and cost effective construction of projects in line with key stage gates, from viability through delivery to project close.
Adhering to all the departmental standard processes and providing options to evaluate the balance between cost/operationaland customer impact.
In addition to your role as project manager you will be expected, where required, to take on the role of Employer’s Agent or Contract Administrator under the different forms of contract and/or manage external consultants to perform the same function. The role will lead and manage the delivery of a portfolio of construction projects (up to circa £20m) and/or programmes of work with moderate strategic risk profiles as required and to meet and/or exceed all Key Performance Indicators working with autonomy when required under Property leadership.
You will negotiate, agree, manage and monitor the delivery of the tenant specifications and compliance with agreement for leases and other related landlord technical documents.
You will lead both internal and external consultant teams to develop cost and resource efficient solutions, ensuring a consistent approach to designs and standards aligned to Design and Construction objectives.
Through the Property Shared Capability you will have the opportunity to develop and stretch personally and professionally to achieve your potential.
The Partnership supports agile and flexible working practices, such as when, where and how we work.
We have several ways to work flexibly, including part-time, flexible or compressed hours, and job sharing. Head office areas also support a blended working approach.
We celebrate diversity and inclusion in the John Lewis Partnership and we are committed to becoming the UK’s most inclusive business, reflecting and connecting with the diverse communities that we serve.

Contract Type: This role is permanent contract

Working pattern/flexible working - The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business.

Key Responsibilities:

• Programme management delivery excellence managing external teams to deliver programme to cost, time and quality parameters assimilating project data for all management reporting and updates, with a passionate drive for value in everything we touch

• Deliver complex programmes (inc contract administration where necessary) within approved financial budgets (up to circa £20m/project with annual budget accountability upto circa £50m) with exemplar commercial approach

• All legal and statutory approvals for the project/programme of work and ensuring compliance with current Construction Health and Safety legislation

• Set clear vision and direction

• Governance enabled structures, supported by correct resources

• Stakeholder management at all levels throughout the programme lifecycle

• Team engagement - Promote teamwork and cross functional engagement to deliver excellent results

• Risk management - Document and manage risk mitigation

• Promote innovation to reduce CAPEX and improve resource efficiency

• Offer choices to customers to drive value from projects

• Conduct due diligence and monitor performance of category specialists and consultants

• Change management - Manage changes in a timely way way to ensure quality and standards maintained

• Ensure reporting is accurate and timely

• Deliver relevant aspects of Responsible Development Framework and contribute to achievement of Operational CR strategy innovation to reduce CAPEX and improve resource

• Champion change and inspire the others to innovate whilst having a planned approach

• Encourage more efficient and cost effective ways of working.

• Responsible for design standards through category management

Essential skills/experience you’ll need

Customer Focus

Exemplar customer focus, delivering to the highest standards

Ownership

Full ownership of project and delivery programme, responding to customer needs with passion to do right first time

Commerciality

High degree of commercial and value management skills, including the ability to work with financial appraisals, develop business cases

Stakeholder Management

Works confidently at all levels throughout a business, proactively managing stakeholders, building relationships, understanding their needs and expectations, working with them to innovate

Change Management

Flexible approach to change, with a positive approach to fluctuating workload and prepared to work individually or as a team

Influencing

Demonstrates an awareness and ability to work across boundaries to achieve results.

• Membership, or actively working towards membership, of the RICS or CIOB

• Degree qualified (or equivalent) in a Construction or Project Management related subject or suitable experience of managing construction within a retail/supermarket environment from feasibility through to delivery.

• Comprehensive knowledge of the planning process and the negotiation of developers shell specifications and agreements for lease and experience of delivering projects in a formal Employers Agent or Contractor Administrator role in addition to a Retail Construction project manager role.

• Experience managing a team consisting of internal and external resources, and 3rd party supplier

Desirable Skills:

• Chartered Surveyor or MSc level qualification in relevant discipline or suitable experience of managing construction within a retail/supermarket environment

• Degree qualified (or equivalent) in a Construction or Project Management related subject

• Experience building, managing and influencing diverse relationships across a business

• Experience operating in a challenging organisational environment with a requirement to balance differing priorities and demands

• In-depth knowledge of retail development, with a high degree of customer understanding

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The Partnership

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.  

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.   

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. 

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. 

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.  

Important points to note:  

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.  

We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.  

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.