Project Manager

Meridian Interiors is seeking an experienced Project Manager to oversee the successful delivery of commercial office fit-out and refurbishment projects across the UK. Projects range in value from £1,000 to over £1 million and vary in duration and complexity. The role involves managing multiple projects from handover and planning through to completion and final client sign-off. The successful candidate will take responsibility for programme delivery, quality, health and safety, commercial performance and client satisfaction, working closely with our internal team, subcontractors, suppliers, and clients. This is a hands-on role requiring regular travel and site visits. Projects are generally within a 100-mile radius of Milton Keynes, although travel further afield may be required. Occasional weekend work may be necessary to meet project or client requirements.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Project handover and planning
• Take ownership for project delivery after handover from the Pre-Contracts Manager and Managing Director, ensuring a clear understanding of the scope, deliverables and responsibilities.
• Develop and maintain project programmes, identifying key activities, dependencies, milestones, and resource requirements.
• Coordinate labour, equipment, and materials, working with the Project Coordinator to ensure resources are available when required.
• Project implementation
• Attend site on the first day of each project to meet the client, oversee site establishment and ensure appropriate health, safety and environmental arrangements are in place.
• Ensure labour and materials are appropriately coordinated for project commencement.
• Brief subcontractors on the scope of works, drawings, setting-out requirements, and project programmes.
• Deliver health, safety and environmental toolbox talks, complete site-specific inductions and brief subcontractors on relevant risk assessments and method statements.
• Project management and control
• Plan and prioritise workload, coordinating regular visits to multiple project sites during the working week.
• Monitor project costs, maintain accurate expenditure records and identify cost overruns at early stages.
• Identify, assess and manage contract variations, ensuring changes are documented and commercially managed to protect project profitability.
• Work with the Project Coordinator to procure materials, organise labour, maintain project plans and communicate changes to stakeholders.
• Monitor subcontractor performance and workmanship through regular inspections, ensuring compliance with drawings, specifications and quality standards.
• Review project financial risks, including supplier and contractor performance, and promptly raise concerns with the Managing Director.
• Record site waste, ensure waste transfer documentation is accurate and filed, and pursue appropriate recycling opportunities.
• Review site safety at each visit and ensure sites are safe, clean and compliant with requirements.
• Project Completion and Handover
• Manage projects through to completion, ensuring agreed milestones and contractual deadlines are achieved - Including the coordination of required regulatory inspections and obtaining final sign-off.
• Ensure operation and maintenance manuals, health and safety files and other required documentation are collated and returned to the office.
• Record as-built information and communicate it to the Project Coordinator.
• Ensure sites are left clean and that snagging items are recorded, actioned and closed out.
• Additional Duties
• Undertake surveys and measurements for potential additional works, recording relevant information and reporting to the Pre-Contracts Manager or Managing Director to support quotations.
• Visit prospective suppliers and contractors to review operating procedures for pre-qualification purposes.
• Work with the Managing Director on the development of the company's Integrated Management Systems.
• Build effective working relationships with clients, subcontractors and suppliers to support a reliable supply chain and a strong understanding of client needs.
• Undertake other reasonable duties as directed by the Managing Director.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Essential
• At least 3 years' relevant construction project or contracts management experience, ideally in commercial office fit-out and refurbishment.
• Experience managing multiple office fit-out or refurbishment projects, including projects valued at up to £1 million or more.
• Proven track record delivering projects in the office fit-out sector (shopfitting or external construction experience alone is not equivalent).
• Strong understanding of construction health and safety legislation, including CDM 2015.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications.
• Commercial awareness and experience with cost control and variation management.
• Confident communicator with strong organisation, prioritisation and risk-management skills.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with Microsoft Outlook and other standard MS applications.
• Full, clean driving licence.
• SMSTS certification and First Aid at Work training (three-day course).
• Desirable
• Relevant construction qualification, such as a degree or NVQ.
• Working knowledge of the Building Safety Act 2022 and current environmental legislation.
• Experience using AutoCAD.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

• £55,000 per annum.
• Electric company car, with charging expenses covered.
• Company pension.
• Free office parking.
• Free flu vaccinations.
• Free eye tests.
• Work across project sites throughout the UK - requiring regular weekly travel.
• Anticipate high annual business mileage, which may exceed 30,000 miles.
• Attend the Milton Keynes office weekly (as required) to coordinate with colleagues and update project files.
• Work occasional weekends when necessary to ensure effective project delivery.

The successful candidate will demonstrate integrity and professional conduct, clear/timely communication, teamwork, leadership and sound judgement. They will bring strong organisation initiative and a practical, solutions-focused approach to problem-solving.