At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead multiple complex projects in hospitality, retail, and leisure construction.
- Company: Boutique consultancy known for delivering high-quality projects.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £100,000, flexible working, and growth opportunities.
- Other info: Direct line to the CEO and autonomy to lead your team.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a respected consultancy while leading impactful projects.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in client-side project management with a focus on multi-site delivery.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 100000 £ per year.
Salary: £Up to £100,000, dependent on experience
Location: Central London Office. Projects are UK-wide (multi-site, with travel)
Working pattern: Some flexibility, but office based preferred
Sector: Hospitality, Retail, and Leisure construction (client-side project management)
About the consultancy
This is a boutique client-side construction consultancy that delivers projects for its clients both in the UK and internationally. It has been going since 2018, and in a fairly short space of time it has earned the position most firms spend a decade chasing: the one people in the sector actually call first. That reputation has not come from marketing. It has come from delivering complex work properly, again and again.
The focus sits across hospitality, retail, and leisure, which means the projects tend to be the kind people end up walking through, eating in, or staying in, rather than abstractions on a drawing. The client list is growing steadily, and the consultancy is now hiring to keep pace with it rather than to fix anything that is broken.
What comes through is a business that takes the client side of construction seriously: protecting budgets, holding programmes, and making sure the people delivering the work are genuinely good at it. A small, sharp team that would rather be the best in its corner than the biggest in the room.
About the role
This is a senior leadership hire, and a real one. As Project Director, you will lead the full project lifecycle across multiple complex projects at once, making sure the standards hold and the deadlines do too. You will run a team of project managers and co-ordinators, giving them clear direction, proper supervision, and the kind of guidance that develops them rather than just keeps them busy.
The role spans the lot: feasibility and risk on new sites, top-line estimates, programming and schedules, budgets and cost sign-off, and oversight of external consultants including design and architecture. You will own health and safety compliance across the portfolio, keep clients updated with accurate and timely reporting, and provide the strategic, technical, financial, and operational leadership that gets projects over the line. It is a job for someone who can hold the detail and the big picture at the same time.
There is a commercial dimension too. Working closely with the CEO, you will help generate new business and grow the team, which makes this a genuine seat at the table rather than a delivery role with a grand title. For the right person, this is a chance to shape how a respected, growing consultancy scales its next chapter.
Your days will look something like this:
- Lead the full project lifecycle across multiple complex, multi-site projects, holding standards and deadlines throughout
- Run feasibility studies on new sites, providing detailed risk analysis and top-line estimates for clients
- Own all programming, schedules, and project delivery dates across the portfolio
- Manage budgets, administration, and cost sign-off, with a sharp eye on value engineering and cost control
- Oversee external consultants, including design and architecture, keeping them on time and on budget
- Influence and oversee health and safety compliance, ensuring every project meets the relevant statutory legislation
- Manage and develop the project team, assigning clear roles, supervising effectively, and managing performance
- Keep clients updated with accurate, timely reporting, and work with the CEO to win new business and grow the team
You might be our perfect match if…
- You have significant client-side property and project management experience (10 years+) in a leadership role within a large, multi-site organisation
- You have a proven track record delivering multi-site projects across the UK, with a proactive, customer-first approach to problem solving
- You are highly commercial and results-focused, with real experience of value engineering and reducing costs across projects
- You have excellent technical understanding across projects, including mechanical, electrical, and structural
- You have a strong working knowledge of PD, CDM, and compliance legislation
- You can take off and measure drawings, and write specifications including schedules of works
- You are decisive, self-motivated, and comfortable adapting to change and competing demands
- Experience of refurbishments and maintenance management is a nice-to-have rather than a dealbreaker
Why this one
- A genuine leadership role with full ownership of the project lifecycle, not a delivery seat dressed up as a directorship
- A direct line to the CEO and a real hand in growing the business and the team
- A boutique consultancy that is already the go-to name in its sector, and still growing
- Complex, high-standard work across hospitality, retail, and leisure, both in the UK and internationally
- The autonomy to lead a team your way, and shape how the consultancy scales from here
Project Director employer: TwentyOne Twelve
This boutique client-side construction consultancy, based in Central London, is an exceptional employer for those seeking a meaningful career in the hospitality, retail, and leisure sectors. With a strong focus on employee development, a collaborative work culture, and the opportunity to lead complex projects, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a rapidly growing firm that values quality over quantity. The consultancy's reputation for excellence and commitment to client satisfaction ensures that you will be part of a team that is not only respected but also at the forefront of industry innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Director
✨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 TwentyOne Twelve, 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 Project Director at TwentyOne Twelve.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Director
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 TwentyOne Twelve
✨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!
