Construction Programme Manager

We have a fantastic opportunity to join the Waitrose Design and Construction team, as a Construction Programme Manager.

In this role you will lead the end-to-end delivery of diverse retail and non-retail construction projects, ensuring they are completed successfully with a strong focus on customer needs and operational efficiency. Operating with autonomy under Property leadership, you will collaborate with internal stakeholders to define briefs, oversee the external supply chain to develop robust technical designs, and provide cost-effective solutions in line with key stage gates.

You will also manage a portfolio of construction projects, acting as an Employer’s Agent or Contract Administrator. You will negotiate tenant specifications, ensure strict compliance with lease agreements and landlord requirements, and deliver excellence against Key Performance Indicators while driving innovation to reduce CAPEX throughout the project lifecycle.

At a glance 

Expected salary - up to £75,000, depending on experience

Contract type - This position is a 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. There will also be an expectation to visit other locations as the need arises

Location - This role is Mobile, requiring nationwide travel. A full UK driving license is desirable and an essential user business car can be provided

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver end-to-end programmes, managing external teams to meet cost, time, and quality parameters.

• Manage complex projects within financial budgets, including contract administration and commercial oversight.

• Ensure all projects meet legal, statutory, and Construction Health & Safety compliance standards.

• Lead stakeholder engagement, team collaboration, and cross-functional working throughout the programme lifecycle.

• Document and manage risks while implementing mitigation strategies.

• Drive innovation to improve resource efficiency and reduce CAPEX.

• Conduct due diligence on consultants and category specialists to ensure performance.

• Manage project changes effectively to maintain quality and standards.

Essential skills/experience you’ll need

• 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 suppliers

Desirable skills/experience you may have 

• 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

• A full UK driving license

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 occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible.

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. 

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