At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and deliver construction projects that redefine retirement living.
- Company: Join Retirement Villages Group, transforming communities for independent living.
- Benefits: Make a real impact while enjoying a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth with potential for role extension.
- Why this job: Drive significant construction programmes and enhance the lives of residents.
- Qualifications: Experience in construction leadership and project management is essential.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
At Retirement Villages Group, we believe that ageing should be about freedom, not compromise. We’re on a mission to redefine retirement living in the UK, creating vibrant, inclusive communities where people can live independently, stay connected and age well on their own terms. We have ambitious plans for the future and are looking for an experienced Head of Construction to join us on a 9-12 month fixed-term contract and lead the successful delivery and close-out of our current construction and investment programme.
Reporting to our Property Director, you will take the lead on RVG’s construction delivery programme, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to the highest standards of quality. This is a hands-on leadership role with an immediate focus on driving delivery, resolving outstanding issues and bringing projects through to successful completion and handover.
Your key areas of focus will include:
- Completing, handing over and closing out our remaining Thrive schemes
- Leading delivery of our committed Landlord Improvement Plan programme across our operational village portfolio
- Overseeing the residential buy-back refurbishment programme
- Leading and developing our Project Management team and Head of Refurbishments
- Maintaining strong control of project cost, programme, quality, risk and commercial performance
- Ensuring completed projects are successfully transitioned into the operational business
You’ll quickly get to grips with an established programme, identify the critical priorities and bring the pace, structure and leadership needed to successfully close out complex projects. There is also potential for this role to be extended or become permanent as our future investment programme develops.
This could see the remit expand to include taking new projects through approval, procurement, tendering and contracting, before leading them through delivery.
What You'll Be Doing
Leading Programme Delivery
You’ll take ownership of all live construction projects, ensuring they are delivered against agreed cost, programme, quality and safety requirements. This will include:
- Driving the completion, handover and close-out of live projects
- Identifying delivery risks early and taking decisive action where projects are at risk of delay, cost escalation or quality issues
- Managing defects, outstanding works, warranties, certification and final accounts
- Overseeing the delivery of refurbishment and improvement programmes across our portfolio
- Managing external consultants, contractors and suppliers to achieve agreed outcomes
- Reviewing design and technical proposals to optimise buildability, cost, programme and operational performance
Leading the Team
You’ll provide clear leadership to our Project Management team and Head of Refurbishments, creating accountability and maintaining momentum during a demanding period of delivery. You’ll:
- Set clear priorities and performance expectations
- Ensure resources are focused on the projects and issues that matter most
- Provide support, direction and challenge to maintain pace and accountability
- Build strong collaboration across Property, Operations, Asset Management, Sales and Finance
Commercial, Risk & Governance
You’ll maintain strong oversight of project budgets, forecasts and commercial performance. This will include managing:
- Budgets, forecasts and cost reporting
- Variations, claims and final accounts
- Defects and making-good obligations
- Project and departmental risk registers
- Construction contracts, consultant appointments, warranties and project documentation
- Procurement and approval processes
- Construction health and safety matters
You’ll also ensure robust defects management protocols are in place and project KPIs are consistently monitored and achieved.
Stakeholder Management & Reporting
You’ll be comfortable operating at a senior level and communicating complex project information clearly and concisely. You’ll provide regular reporting on programme, cost, risk, quality and key decisions, as well as preparing updates for the Executive Team and Board where required. A key part of the role will also be ensuring projects are successfully handed over into the operational business, with clear documentation, knowledge transfer and management of any residual risks.
About You
You’ll be an experienced construction leader with a strong track record of delivering and closing out complex construction or refurbishment projects. You may currently be working as a Head of Construction, Senior Project Manager, Construction Director or Quantity Surveyor, and will bring strong commercial awareness alongside excellent project and people leadership skills.
You’ll ideally have:
- Significant experience leading complex construction or refurbishment programmes
- A strong track record of successfully completing and closing out projects
- Excellent knowledge of project controls, construction contracts, procurement, cost management and risk management
- Strong commercial and financial awareness
- Experience managing consultants, contractors and suppliers
- The ability to quickly take control of an established programme and identify critical delivery priorities
- Previous experience leading and managing teams
- A pragmatic, decisive and solutions-focused approach
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Confidence operating with senior management, Executive and Board-level stakeholders
- Strong analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to turn complex information into clear recommendations
- A relevant degree is preferred, and professional qualifications such as RICS, MCIOB or equivalent would be desirable, although not essential.
Why Join RVG?
This is an opportunity to make a real impact on a significant programme of investment and construction activity, working across a diverse portfolio of retirement communities. You’ll join a collaborative business with ambitious plans for the future and play a key role in ensuring our projects are successfully delivered for the benefit of our residents, communities and wider business.
At RVG, our values are at the heart of everything we do:
- Age Well - We create a world where everyone has the opportunity to age well.
- Community - We believe in the power of community.
- Keep Improving - We get things done and always look for ways to improve.
- Invest Wisely - We treat every penny as if it were our own.
- Planet Positive - We recognise the climate emergency and work hard to have a positive impact on the planet.
- One Team - We support one another and try, succeed and learn together.
If you're an experienced construction leader who enjoys taking ownership, solving complex challenges and driving projects through to successful completion, we'd love to hear from you.
Head of Construction Delivery - FTC in London employer: Retirement Villages Group
At The Willowbury Retirement Village, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and community-focused work environment where every team member plays a vital role in enhancing the lives of our residents. With generous holiday entitlement, enhanced pension schemes, and opportunities for personal growth, we ensure that our employees feel valued and recognised for their contributions. Join us in creating a safe and welcoming atmosphere, while enjoying the unique benefits of working in a retirement village setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Construction Delivery - FTC in London
✨Get Your Foot in the Door
Temporary roles in construction often rely on quick recruitment, so make sure to visit local recruitment agencies that specialise in the construction sector. They usually have a go-to list of companies that need staff urgently, helping us connect with potential employers faster.
✨Leverage Community Connections
Construction is all about connections! Check out local trade events, networking gatherings, or even social media groups focused on your area. Engaging with the community can lead to insider knowledge about temporary job openings that might not be advertised anywhere else.
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Solid Portfolio
Even for temporary gigs, a visual portfolio can really set you apart. Take photos of previous projects you’ve worked on, or if you're fresh in the industry, show examples of your work during training. This can help us demonstrate our hands-on experience to potential employers, like Retirement Villages Group.
✨Apply Directly at Construction Sites
Don’t overlook the power of walking directly into construction sites. Many temporary positions are filled on the spot, so it’s worth popping by local sites and having a face-to-face chat. Bring your CV and be ready to impress, as companies like Retirement Villages Group appreciate proactive candidates ready to jump in when needed.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Construction Delivery - FTC in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Experience:In the construction game, having hands-on experience matters! Be sure to showcase any previous temporary roles or projects you've worked on in your CV. Mention specific skills like safety protocols, tools you're familiar with, or types of construction work you've done – this will help you stand out!
Showcase Certifications and Training:If you've got any relevant certifications or training like a CSCS card or health and safety courses, flaunt them! Include them in your CV and mention them in your cover letter. It shows that you're not just ready to get to work but that you've got the essential safety knowledge, which is super important in the construction industry.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:For a temporary role, flexibility is key! In your cover letter, make sure to clearly state your availability – are you ready to start immediately? Can you work various shifts? Letting Retirement Villages Group know how adaptable you are might just get you the edge over other candidates.
Keep it Concise and Clear:When applying for temporary roles in construction, employers often appreciate brevity. Keep your CV and cover letter clear and to the point. Focus on the skills and experiences that align most with what Retirement Villages Group is looking for. Avoid unnecessary fluff to make it easier for them to see why you’re the perfect fit!
How to prepare for a job interview at Retirement Villages Group
✨Show Off Your Safety Knowledge
In construction, health and safety is non-negotiable. Get comfortable with specific safety regulations like COSHH or Working at Height – you might get asked how you’d handle risk assessments or unsafe conditions. We need to show that we prioritise safety above all else.
✨Be Ready for Hands-On Scenarios
Expect practical questions or even a mini test where you’ll need to demonstrate basic skills. They might set up a scenario and ask how you would approach a specific task. Let’s prepare by brushing up on our trade skills and thinking through past projects we’ve worked on.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary role, they’ll want to know if you can adapt quickly to different teams and situations. Let's think about past experiences where we've had to adjust on the fly. This will show we’re ready to hit the ground running!
✨Highlight Your Previous Experience
Temporary roles often require hitting the ground running, so make sure to have a few stories lined up that showcase your relevant experience in construction. We want to emphasise skills that might not be on our CV—like teamwork and problem-solving when things don't go to plan.
