Senior Project Manager, Retail & Financial Services Occupier Services in Leeds

Senior Project Manager, Retail & Financial Services Occupier Services in Leeds

Leeds Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Colliers International EMEA

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead exciting retail and financial services construction projects from start to finish.
  • Company: Join Colliers, a top commercial real estate services company with a vibrant culture.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to empowering all employees.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in fast-paced environments while developing your project management skills.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in retail or commercial construction, strong client-facing skills required.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

Colliers is a leading commercial real estate services company, providing a full range of services to real estate occupiers, developers, and investors on a local, national, and international basis. Services include brokerage sales and leasing (landlord and tenant representation), real estate management, valuation, consulting, project management, project marketing and research.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to deliver consultancy-led construction project management across a fast-paced retail and financial services property portfolio. The role focuses primarily on the North of England, with limited travel to Scotland and Northern Ireland. You will lead multiple concurrent refurbishment and construction projects, typically valued between £150,000 and £2m, delivered within live, customer-facing environments. This is a hands-on delivery role requiring strong client leadership, governance oversight and a detailed understanding of statutory compliance. Projects are delivered within established programme frameworks under senior leadership direction.

Key Responsibilities
  • Project Delivery: Lead multiple retail and banking construction projects from feasibility through to handover and close-out. Act as the day-to-day client lead, ensuring delivery in line with client and Colliers governance, approvals and reporting requirements. Coordinate and manage design teams, contractors and specialist suppliers across all RIBA stages. Manage programme, cost, quality and risk, proactively identifying and escalating issues where required.
  • Client Advisory: Act as the primary client interface for assigned projects. Support scope definition, budgeting and programme development. Manage project approvals, reporting and governance in accordance with client and Colliers standards.
  • Health, Safety & Compliance: Champion high standards of health, safety and wellbeing across live retail sites. Ensure compliance with the Building Safety Act, CDM 2015, Building Regulations and fire and life safety requirements. Support or undertake statutory duty-holder responsibilities as required (e.g. Client support, PD liaison, Principal Contractor oversight). Ensure timely and accurate completion of handover documentation, including O&M manuals and compliance certification.
  • Commercial & Contract Management: Deliver projects primarily under JCT Design & Build or similar contractual forms. Maintain robust change control and cost reporting in collaboration with the appointed Cost Manager.
  • Stakeholder & Team Contribution: Chair project and site meetings, maintaining accurate governance and audit records. Liaise with landlords, managing agents and local authorities as required. Support and mentor junior project managers. Contribute to continuous improvement of retail project delivery processes.
Typical Project Profile
  • Retail refurbishments, office fit-outs, roll-outs, lifecycle replacement and compliance works.
  • Projects delivered in live trading environments.
  • Individual project values typically ranging from £150k to £2m.
  • Multiple projects delivered concurrently as part of a rolling annual programme.
  • Regular engagement with Client Retail, Workplace, FM, IT, Security teams and external stakeholders.
Skills & Experience
  • Essential: Minimum of five years’ experience delivering fast-paced retail or commercial construction projects within live environments, ideally within a consultancy setting. Strong working knowledge of the Building Safety Act, CDM 2015 and Building Regulations as applied to retail and commercial office projects. Proven ability to manage programme, cost, risk and stakeholders concurrently. Confident client-facing professional with strong advisory capability.
  • Desirable: Experience delivering projects within financial services or similarly regulated occupier environments. Experience working within framework or programme delivery models for large corporate clients.
Qualifications
  • Degree in a construction or project-related discipline (desirable but not essential).
  • Working towards or professionally qualified in a relevant industry qualification (RICS, CIOB or equivalent).

At Colliers, we empower people to perform at their best. As a Disability Confident Employer, we want every candidate to feel welcome. If anything would help you take part in our process, such as extra time or rest breaks, step-free access, or a different interview format, please tell us in your application. You are not expected to share a diagnosis or medical history. Colliers is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of age; disability; gender; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins); religion or belief; sex; or sexual orientation. We also value diverse experience and neurodiversity.

Senior Project Manager, Retail & Financial Services Occupier Services in Leeds employer: Colliers International EMEA

Colliers is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide extensive training and mentorship opportunities, ensuring that our team members can advance their careers while working on exciting projects in the retail and financial services sectors. Our London headquarters fosters a culture of inclusivity and support, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.

Colliers International EMEA

Contact Details:

Colliers International EMEA Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Project Manager, Retail & Financial Services Occupier Services in Leeds

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching Colliers and understanding their projects. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in retail and financial services.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your project management experience clearly and confidently. Highlight your ability to manage multiple projects and your client-facing skills.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Colliers team.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Project Manager, Retail & Financial Services Occupier Services in Leeds

Project Management
Client Leadership
Governance Oversight
Statutory Compliance
Construction Project Management
Budgeting
Risk Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Project Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing retail and financial services projects, and don’t forget to showcase your knowledge of relevant regulations like the Building Safety Act and CDM 2015.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific projects you've led and how they align with what Colliers is looking for in a candidate.

Showcase Your Client Management Skills:Since this role involves being the day-to-day client lead, make sure to highlight your client management experience. Share examples of how you've successfully managed client relationships and delivered projects that meet their needs.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!

How to prepare for a job interview at Colliers International EMEA

Know Your Projects Inside Out

Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the types of projects Colliers handles, especially in retail and financial services. Be ready to discuss your past experiences with similar projects, focusing on your role in managing costs, risks, and stakeholder relationships.

Demonstrate Client Leadership Skills

Since this role requires strong client leadership, prepare examples that showcase your ability to lead client interactions effectively. Think about times when you successfully managed client expectations or resolved conflicts, and be ready to share these stories.

Brush Up on Compliance Knowledge

Given the importance of statutory compliance in this role, ensure you're well-versed in the Building Safety Act, CDM 2015, and relevant building regulations. You might be asked specific questions about how you've applied these in past projects, so have concrete examples ready.

Showcase Your Team Contribution

Colliers values teamwork and mentoring, so be prepared to discuss how you've supported junior project managers or contributed to team success in previous roles. Highlight any initiatives you've taken to improve project delivery processes or foster collaboration.