Retail Construction Project Manager (Client Side)

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Department: Retail Construction

Industry: Designer Toys & Collectibles

Reporting to: Head of Retail Construction

About POP MART

POP MART (09992.HK), founded in 2010, is a leading global company in the trend culture and entertainment industry. Centered around IP, POP MART has built a comprehensive platform for creative incubation and IP operation, empowering global creators while delivering exciting products, services and immersive entertainment experiences to consumers.

What to Expect

• Play a key role in the continued expansion of POP MART's retail footprint across Europe.
• Work on exciting retail construction and fit out projects that bring POP MART's distinctive IPs and customer experiences to life.
• Collaborate with passionate teams across different countries, connected by a shared love for designer toys, creativity and innovative retail experiences.
• Work closely with international HQ teams, designers, consultants, contractors, landlords and specialist suppliers across multiple markets.
• Gain exposure to a broad range of construction, design, project management, commercial and operational activities within a rapidly expanding international retail business.
• Help shape the physical customer experience of one of the world's fastest growing designer toy and entertainment brands.

Benefits

• Monthly appreciation gifts featuring our latest POP MART designs.
• A structured bonus scheme linked to both company and individual performance.
• 25 days of annual leave, in addition to bank holidays.
• 4x life insurance, together with group medical and travel insurance.
• A confidential Employee Assistance Programme, alongside access to a discount platform for selected online retailers.
• Training and development programmes, together with regular team events that encourage learning, collaboration and celebration.

The Opportunity

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of POP MART retail construction and fit out projects across Europe, from initial feasibility and design development through tender, construction, commissioning, handover and store opening.
• Act as the client-side project lead, taking ownership of project delivery and coordinating internal stakeholders, international HQ teams, designers, consultants, contractors, suppliers and landlords.
• Manage multiple projects in parallel within fast-moving retail opening programmes, ensuring agreed opening dates, budgets, quality standards and design requirements are achieved.
• Provide strong technical and commercial oversight across the project lifecycle, identifying risks and resolving issues before they impact programme, cost or quality.
• Play a key role in delivering high-quality retail environments that reflect POP MART's global brand standards and provide distinctive customer experiences across European markets.
• Work across a diverse range of projects and stakeholders, gaining broad exposure to retail construction, fit out, design, procurement, commercial management and international project delivery.

The Role and Candidate

This is a hands-on client-side Retail Construction Project Manager role within POP MART's growing European retail construction team. Working closely with the Head of Retail Construction, European business teams and international HQ, you will take responsibility for the successful delivery of retail construction and fit out projects across Europe.

You will act as the central project owner, coordinating designers, consultants, contractors, suppliers, landlords and internal stakeholders from initial feasibility through to store opening. The role requires a strong combination of technical construction knowledge, project management capability, commercial judgement and stakeholder management skills.

You will be expected to understand the detail of a project while maintaining oversight of programme, budget, procurement, risk and overall delivery. You should be comfortable reviewing architectural and technical drawings, coordinating MEP and specialist packages, challenging design solutions, monitoring construction quality and resolving site issues. At the same time, you will need to manage budgets, procurement, variations, project risks and contractor performance effectively.

The ideal candidate will have experience delivering retail construction or fit-out projects from a client-side perspective, ideally within London, the UK and/or international markets. Experience within high-profile, premium, luxury or customer-facing retail environments would be particularly valuable.

You will thrive in this role if you are proactive, commercially aware, technically confident and highly organised, with the ability to take ownership of projects and drive multiple stakeholders towards a common deadline. You should be comfortable working in a fast-moving international environment, making decisions under pressure and communicating effectively across different cultures, markets and time zones.

Responsibilities

• Project Delivery & Programme Management
• Manage retail construction and fit out projects from feasibility, concept and design development through tender, construction, commissioning, handover and store opening.
• Establish and manage project programmes, key milestones, procurement schedules and delivery priorities.
• Identify critical path activities and potential programme delays at an early stage and implement appropriate mitigation measures.
• Act as the primary client-side project owner, coordinating all parties and driving actions through to completion.
• Monitor project progress against agreed programmes and opening dates.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously across different European markets while maintaining clear priorities and delivery standards.
• Design & Technical Coordination
• Manage the development and coordination of architectural, interior, MEP, structural and specialist design packages.
• Ensure designs remain aligned with approved design intent, POP MART standards and operational requirements.
• Review drawings, specifications, samples, mock-ups and technical submissions.
• Challenge design or technical solutions where buildability, quality, maintenance or operational requirements are not adequately addressed.
• Coordinate interfaces between construction works, MEP services, bespoke joinery, furniture, lighting, AV, security and other specialist systems.
• Manage design changes and assess their programme, cost, technical and operational impact.
• Work with designers and consultants to resolve technical and coordination issues efficiently.
• Construction, Quality & Site Management
• Represent POP MART throughout the construction and fit out phase.
• Carry out regular site inspections to monitor progress, workmanship and compliance with approved drawings and specifications.
• Work with contractors, consultants and suppliers to resolve technical and site issues promptly.
• Challenge works that do not meet required quality, installation tolerances or workmanship standards.
• Monitor contractor performance and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Manage snagging, testing, commissioning, defects and project close-out.
• Ensure stores are complete, operational and ready for final acceptance and opening.
• Cost, Procurement & Commercial Control
• Establish and manage project budgets, committed costs and forecasts.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders and cost consultants to maintain appropriate financial control.
• Support tendering, contractor and supplier selection, commercial negotiations and procurement activities.
• Manage the procurement of long‑lead and specialist items.
• Review quotations, variations and change requests.
• Ensure commercial and programme implications are understood and documented before changes are implemented.
• Ensure appropriate approvals are obtained for project variations and additional expenditure.
• Monitor project expenditure and identify potential cost pressures at an early stage.
• Risk, Compliance & Project Governance
• Identify and manage programme, cost, quality, technical and delivery risks.
• Maintain clear mitigation actions and escalate material concerns with practical recommendations.
• Ensure projects comply with relevant UK or local market construction requirements, landlord requirements, Building Regulations, CDM obligations and applicable health and safety standards.
• Work with relevant consultants and stakeholders to ensure statutory and regulatory requirements are addressed.
• Maintain appropriate project documentation, reporting and governance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide clear and concise project updates to senior stakeholders, highlighting progress, key risks, decisions and required actions.
• Stakeholder & Cross-Border Coordination
• Coordinate closely with POP MART Europe teams, international HQ, consultants, contractors, landlords and vendors across multiple countries.
• Maintain clear communication between European and international stakeholders to support timely project decisions.
• Proactively follow up on design approvals, technical information, procurement decisions and overseas vendor deliverables.
• Ensure overseas supplier and vendor deliverables remain aligned with project programmes and specifications.
• Manage landlord, shopping centre, site access, logistics and operational requirements.
• Work effectively across different cultures, working practices and time zones when required.

Required Qualifications

• Approximately 5–10 years or more of relevant experience in project management, construction or retail fit out, with proven experience acting in a client-side Project Manager capacity.
• Strong track record delivering high-quality retail construction or fit-out projects in London and/or international markets.
• Experience delivering projects within complex, high-profile or operational retail environments.
• Strong technical understanding of construction, fit-out, bespoke joinery, furniture, MEP coordination and construction detailing.
• Ability to critically review architectural, interior and technical drawings.
• Good understanding of UK construction practices, Building Regulations, CDM requirements and health and safety obligations.
• Ability to apply equivalent local requirements when delivering projects across European markets.
• Strong project management capability across programme, budget, procurement, tendering, variations, risk management and contractor performance.
• Strong understanding of construction quality, installation tolerances, workmanship standards, testing, commissioning, snagging and handover requirements.
• Proven ability to manage multiple consultants, contractors and specialist suppliers while maintaining clear accountability and delivery standards.
• Strong commercial judgement, organisational and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work independently, make decisions and resolve issues effectively under demanding project timelines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to work effectively with European and international stakeholders.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Willingness and ability to travel within the UK and Europe as required.

Desirable but Not Essential

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Project Management or a related discipline.
• Professional accreditation such as RICS, CIOB, APM or an equivalent recognised qualification.
• Experience delivering projects within luxury fashion, jewellery, beauty, department stores, premium retail or other high-quality customer-facing environments.
• Experience delivering projects within listed buildings, existing buildings, shopping centres or operational retail environments.
• Experience managing international retail rollouts or multiple projects across different European markets.
• Experience working with international design teams, overseas suppliers or global retail standards.
• Experience coordinating specialist retail systems including lighting, AV, security, digital installations and bespoke customer-facing elements.
• Experience working within fast-paced, high-growth retail or consumer-facing businesses.
• Additional European language skills, such as French, Italian, German or Spanish, would be an advantage.
• Experience or interest in the designer toy, retail, e-commerce or entertainment industries.

Equal Pay and Non-Discrimination

POP MART is committed to equal pay initiatives and will not ask candidates for their current or past salary. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, POP MART does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability, age, citizenship, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or because of any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state or local law.