At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead luxury retail fit-out projects from design to store opening across the UK and Europe.
- Company: ML Projects, a dynamic firm specialising in high-end retail construction.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunities for travel, and a chance to work on prestigious projects.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Join a team that shapes luxury retail spaces and delivers flagship experiences.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in construction management with a focus on retail fit-outs.
ML Projects is hiring a Project Manager with a background in leading the construction phase of luxury fashion retail projects across the UK and Europe. You will own the work from RIBA Stage 4 through to store opening, taking design information from our internal team, driving it through tender, procurement, site delivery, and handover. Project values range from £350,000 to £2M+. You will run several concurrent fit-outs, each with tight programmes, complex landlord and centre management interfaces, and clients who expect flagship-standard execution. We need someone who has run sites, written valuations, chased subcontractors, and signed off snags and who now wants to do that work from the client side, with the design and consultant team working to your direction rather than against it. This role is pitched at people who understand fit-out from the inside: how a programme really goes wrong, where money is actually lost, and what it takes to hand a store over clean.
WHAT YOU WILL OWN
- CONSTRUCTION DELIVERY
- Site leadership: Manage from possession through to handover. Chair progress meetings, issue instructions, drive the programme.
- Programme certainty: interrogate contractor programmes, identify critical path risk early, and hold trades accountable. Late stores are non-negotiable.
- Quality control: regular site inspections against drawings, specifications, and brand standards. Pick up defects early, not at snagging.
- Handover and commissioning: drive snagging close-out, O&M compilation, commissioning certificates, building control sign-off, and consent to trade.
- PROCUREMENT & COMMERCIAL CONTROL
- Tender management: prepare BOQs, run tenders, level returns, interrogate pricing, and recommend appointments.
- Cost control: track expenditure against CAPEX budgets, scrutinise variations, manage change control, maintain credible forecasts.
- Contract administration: administer JCT contracts — valuations, payment notices, extensions of time, final accounts. Hold the line where the contractor is wrong; pay fairly where they are right.
- STATUTORY & REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
- Building Control: manage submissions and Approved Inspector liaison through to completion certificate.
- CDM 2015: Coordinate F10s, Construction Phase Plans, and H&S File compilation. You will know what Principal Contractor and Principal Designer roles actually require on site.
- Building Regulations: working knowledge of Part B (Fire), Part L (Energy), and Part M (Access) applied to retail fit-outs.
- Landlord consents: Licence to Alter applications and ongoing landlord and centre management liaison.
- DESIGN COORDINATION
- CLIENT & TEAM
- Primary client contact: manage brand project teams, property teams, and retail operations directly and without drama.
- Team coordination: lead a project team of 2-3 architects, designers, or junior PMs, plus appointed external consultants.
Our internal design team prepares the package. Your job is to make it buildable, costed, and deliverable on programme, interrogating buildability before tender, leading information flow to the contractor, and closing out RFIs decisively.
ESSENTIAL
- Construction-side delivery: minimum 5 years with a main contractor, fit-out contractor, or specialist retail contractor as PM or Senior Site Manager — or client-side construction PM with strong contractor exposure.
- Fit-out track record: demonstrable history delivering retail, hospitality, or high-specification commercial fit-outs in the £350K–£2M+ range. Luxury fashion preferred but not mandatory; high-spec finishes and demanding clients are.
- RIBA Stages 4-7: direct experience from Technical Design through Construction to Handover.
- CDM 2015: practical understanding of Principal Contractor and Principal Designer responsibilities.
- JCT contract administration: comfortable issuing instructions, certifying valuations, managing variations, closing out final accounts.
- Drawing literacy: able to read and coordinate architectural, structural, and M&E drawings — and spot what is missing.
- UK and European delivery experience.
- Background with luxury fashion, beauty, or premium lifestyle brands — or with the contractors who service them.
- Experience in shopping centre, department store, or estate-managed environments.
- MCIOB, MAPM, MRICS, or equivalent professional accreditation.
HOW YOU OPERATE
- Calm under site pressure. Commercial instinct. Direct communication, especially when the news is bad.
- Detail discipline alongside strategic awareness — running a snagging walk in the morning and presenting to a brand director in the afternoon.
- Willing to travel domestically and internationally for site visits, tender reviews, and handovers.
To apply, send your CV and a short note on the construction project you are most proud of, and why, to careers@ml-projects.uk.
Construction Project Manager — Luxury Retail Fit-Out in London employer: ML PROJECTS UK
At ML Projects, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the luxury retail fit-out sector. Our team enjoys competitive benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to work on prestigious projects across the UK and Europe, all while being supported by a leadership team that values your expertise and input. Join us to be part of a company that not only delivers flagship-standard execution but also invests in your career development and well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Construction Project Manager — Luxury Retail Fit-Out in London
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like ML PROJECTS UK, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Construction Project Manager — Luxury Retail Fit-Out at ML PROJECTS UK.
We think you need these skills to ace Construction Project Manager — Luxury Retail Fit-Out in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at ML PROJECTS UK
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
