Project Director Time Out Market London

Reporting to the COO, Time Out Market. Fixed-Term Contract until mid-2028. Time Out Market London will be the global flagship for Time Out Market. This role is the central point of coordination for the project, bringing internal teams, consultants, contractors, the landlord and vendors together into one integrated plan. The Project Director will be responsible for delivering the Time Out Market London project from start to finish, leading the project management and organisation of every phase: from brief and design, through planning, licensing, construction and fit-out, to opening and handover to the operating team.

The Project Director will report to the COO, Time Out Market, who holds overall accountability for the project, including budget. They will work alongside the TOM leadership team, the internal development team, the London General Manager, Time Out Media and the Finance and Legal teams. The role also carries responsibility for keeping the Group CEO, the Markets Board and other key internal stakeholders engaged and informed throughout the project, so that decisions on design, space utilisation, business modelling, curation and pre-opening plans are taken with the right people, at the right time and with the right information. The role is London-based and will require regular time on site.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-End Project Delivery: Lead the delivery of Time Out Market London from initial brief and design through to planning, licensing, construction, fit-out, opening and handover. Develop and manage the integrated project plan, overseeing milestones, critical paths, dependencies and deadlines to ensure delivery on time and to the agreed quality standards.
• Design & Build Coordination: Coordinate the appointment and work of architects, designers, cost consultants and contractors in line with the project plan. Oversee planning, building control and landlord consents, working closely with the internal Development team and external advisers to ensure design and construction remain on programme and meet Time Out brand standards.
• Licensing & Consents: Own the licensing workstream, managing milestones, dependencies and documentation, and acting as the day-to-day point of contact for licensing lawyers, acoustic, security and other specialist consultants. Coordinate internal teams and external advisers to ensure all drawings, operating plans, reports and supporting documentation are delivered on time, managing submissions and responses to representations while keeping the COO and Legal informed of progress, risks and potential impacts.
• Budget & Cost Tracking: Monitor the capital budget, cost reporting and change control, identifying and escalating potential variances and risks to the COO. Coordinate consultant and contractor tenders with internal and external stakeholders, preparing monthly reports on spend against budget and forecast costs to completion.
• Operational Readiness: Lead the operational readiness programme until the London General Manager is appointed, then support them in delivering the pre-opening plan. Coordinate vendor onboarding and fit-out, recruitment, training, equipment and furniture delivery, supplier contracts, systems and IT, trial trading and launch activities, ensuring the Market is ready to open.
• Snagging & Handover: Coordinate commissioning, snagging and the formal handover of the completed project to the operating team. Support the Market through its first months of trading, ensuring outstanding works and issues are resolved within agreed timescales.
• Governance & Reporting: Lead weekly project meetings, maintain live risk, issue and decision logs, and coordinate health and safety and CDM compliance with the principal contractor and relevant advisers. Provide clear progress reports and decision-ready updates to the COO, leadership team, Markets Board and Group leadership, capturing lessons learned to inform future Time Out Market developments.
• Internal Stakeholder Engagement: Maintain regular engagement with the COO, Group CEO, Markets Board and key internal stakeholders, establishing clear updates, reviews and decision-making points throughout the project. Ensure stakeholders are involved in key decisions covering design and brand standards, space utilisation, business modelling, vendor and bar curation, and pre-opening plans, ensuring decisions are recorded and reflected in the project programme, budget and design.
• External Stakeholder Management: Act as the day-to-day point of contact for the landlord, contractors, consultants, licensing lawyers, acoustic and security advisers, local authorities and vendors throughout the project. Work collaboratively with internal teams across Operations, Commercial, Design & Projects, Finance, Legal, Time Out Media and the London General Manager to ensure effective coordination and delivery.