Location: Brighton, with daily travel to London and project sites
Role: Full-time
About the Role:
We are looking for a practical, organised and hands-on Project Manager to oversee and support the delivery of our vertical garden, landscaping and planting projects.
Based in Brighton, this is a varied role combining project management with practical, on-site work. The successful candidate will work across DBVG’s projects from preparation and installation through to maintenance and aftercare, helping to ensure that every project is delivered safely, efficiently and to a high standard.
This is not an office-based project management role. We are looking for someone who enjoys being actively involved in projects, working alongside the team on site and taking ownership of getting the job done.
The Project Manager will have responsibility for the DBVG company van and will be based close to our Brighton lockup, where equipment, tools and materials are stored. Regular travel to London and other project locations will be required, either by van or by train where the van is not needed.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage and coordinate DBVG projects from planning and preparation through to installation, completion and aftercare.
- Work hands-on alongside the team on installations, planting, maintenance and other site works as required.
- Plan day-to-day project requirements, including labour, materials, tools, equipment, deliveries and site access.
- Coordinate staff, contractors, suppliers and other parties involved in project delivery.
- Ensure projects are properly prepared before attending site and that the team has everything required to complete the work efficiently.
- Act as a key point of contact on site and maintain professional relationships with clients, contractors, facilities teams and other stakeholders.
- Monitor the quality and progress of works and ensure DBVG’s standards are maintained across all projects.
- Identify and resolve practical site issues, escalating significant matters where necessary.
- Support the preparation and implementation of project documentation, including programmes, RAMS and site-specific requirements.
- Ensure works are carried out safely and in accordance with DBVG procedures and site requirements.
- Carry out and oversee ongoing maintenance and aftercare of completed projects, including planting, irrigation and general horticultural care.
- Report on project progress, outstanding works, maintenance requirements and any issues requiring follow-up.
- Take photographs and maintain clear project and site records where required.
Van, Lockup & Equipment Responsibilities:
The Project Manager will have day-to-day responsibility for the DBVG company van and will play an important role in managing our Brighton lockup and project equipment.
Responsibilities will include:
- Collecting and transporting tools, plants, materials and equipment to project sites.
- Keeping the van organised, clean and appropriately stocked.
- Helping to organise the Brighton lockup so that tools, materials and equipment are stored safely and can be easily located.
- Preparing and loading equipment and materials ahead of projects.
- Keeping an inventory/stock check of the van items and lockup
- Monitoring tools, equipment and commonly used materials and identifying when items need replacing or replenishing.
- Ensuring tools and equipment are returned, stored correctly and kept in good working condition.
Installation, Maintenance & Horticulture:
As a hands-on member of the team, the Project Manager will be expected to participate practically in DBVG’s work.
This may include:
- Installing vertical gardens, planters and planting schemes.
- Planting and replacing plants.
- General horticultural and landscape maintenance.
- Watering, pruning, feeding and plant care.
- Checking irrigation systems and identifying faults or maintenance requirements.
- Assisting with loading, unloading and moving materials and equipment.
- Working at height where appropriately trained and required.
- Supporting remedial works and responding to urgent maintenance requirements.
The role requires someone who is comfortable with physical work and happy to work outdoors throughout the year.
About You
We are looking for someone who is:
- Practical, hands-on and comfortable working on site.
- Highly organised and able to manage several projects and priorities at the same time.
- Reliable, responsible and able to take ownership of their work.
- A strong problem-solver who can respond calmly and practically when circumstances change on site.
- Comfortable managing and working alongside staff and contractors.
- Professional and confident when dealing with clients and other project stakeholders.
- Able to work independently without constant supervision while communicating clearly with the wider DBVG team.
- Interested in plants, horticulture, landscaping, construction or the built environment.
- Willing to travel regularly between Brighton, London and other project locations.
- Full UK driving licence and confidence driving a company van.
- Ability to be based in or close to Brighton and access the DBVG lockup as required.
- Willingness and ability to travel regularly to London and other project sites.
- Experience in project management, site coordination, landscaping, horticulture, construction or a related practical field.
- Good organisational and communication skills.
- Comfortable undertaking physical and hands-on work.
- Ability to manage changing priorities and solve practical problems on site.
Experience in any of the following would be beneficial:
- Landscaping or horticulture.
- Living walls or vertical gardens.
- Construction or fit-out projects.
- Irrigation systems.
- Managing small site teams or subcontractors.
- Reading drawings and specifications.
- Health and safety and RAMS.
- Working on commercial projects in London.
Relevant horticultural, construction, health and safety or site-management qualifications would be advantageous but are not essential for the right candidate.
Working Location & Travel
The role is based in Brighton, with regular travel to project sites, particularly in London.
The Project Manager will have access to the DBVG company van and will generally drive to sites where tools, plants, materials or equipment need to be transported.
Where the van is not required, travel by train may be more appropriate.
Due to the nature of our projects, some flexibility in working hours may occasionally be required for early starts, site access requirements or works outside normal hours.
The Person We’re Looking For
Above all, we are looking for someone who takes ownership.
The right person will be equally comfortable organising a project, speaking with a client, preparing the van and materials for the following day, managing a team on site and getting stuck into the practical work themselves.
This is an important operational role within a small, specialist business and would suit someone who enjoys variety, responsibility and seeing projects through from start to finish.
