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- Tasks: Lead bespoke joinery projects from start to finish, ensuring quality and efficiency.
- Company: Join a reputable company known for high-quality craftsmanship in joinery and fit-outs.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, profit share bonus, and career progression.
- Other info: Opportunity for long-term growth in a dynamic, performance-driven setting.
- Why this job: Be part of exciting, high-value projects in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in project management with a focus on bespoke joinery or fit-outs.
This is an opportunity to join a well-established specialist within the bespoke joinery and interior fit-out sector, delivering high-quality, design-led environments for leading developers, contractors, architects, and fit-out specialists.
With decades of industry experience, the business has built a strong reputation for craftsmanship, reliable delivery, and a proactive, solutions-focused approach. Operating from a large-scale manufacturing facility in Berkshire, projects are managed from early design stages through to manufacture and installation across luxury residential, commercial, and amenity sectors.
Due to continued growth, the business is seeking an experienced Project Manager to join its Operations team and take ownership of high-value bespoke joinery projects from inception through to completion.
This is a fast-paced, hands-on position for a commercially aware Project Manager with experience in bespoke joinery or high-end interior fit-out environments. You will oversee the full lifecycle of projects from contract handover through to final account, ensuring delivery on programme, within budget, and to a consistently high standard.
The successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining commercial control across projects, ensuring robust contract awareness, structured change control, accurate reporting, and protection of the company's commercial position throughout delivery.
You will also be responsible for driving process discipline across projects, ensuring established operational procedures are followed consistently while contributing to process development and continuous improvement where required.
Working closely with clients, consultants, site teams, and internal departments, you will act as the central point of coordination throughout delivery, managing programme, commercial performance, design coordination, and installation activities within a structured and KPI-driven operational environment.
- Key Responsibilities
- Manage projects from contract handover through to final account
- Develop, maintain, and own detailed project programmes, ensuring key milestones are achieved
- Coordinate design, procurement, production, and installation teams throughout all project phases
- Ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the required quality standards
- Carry out regular site visits during installation phases
- Maintain strong process ownership across all project activities
- Support process development and continuous improvement initiatives where required
- Ensure internal procedures and project controls are followed consistently
- Commercial Management & Financial Control
- Maintain strong contract awareness throughout project delivery
- Manage project budgets and monitor cost-to-complete performance
- Implement and manage structured change control processes
- Control, track, and recover project variations effectively
- Protect the company's commercial position and project margins throughout delivery
- Prepare and contribute to weekly and monthly financial reporting
- Produce accurate forecasting and commercial updates for senior management
- Identify, manage, and escalate commercial and operational risks at an early stage
- Support valuations, final accounts, and commercial reconciliation activities
- Design Coordination & Management
- Own and manage the project design programme
- Chair design meetings with client teams and consultants
- Coordinate and manage internal design teams to ensure deliverables are achieved on programme
- Hold internal and external stakeholders accountable for design actions and deadlines
- Ensure design information is issued, reviewed, and managed effectively throughout the project lifecycle
- Installation & Subcontractor Management
- Manage subcontract installation teams on site
- Coordinate site logistics, deliveries, sequencing, and installation activities
- Monitor installation progress, workmanship, and quality compliance
- Review subcontractor applications and invoices against completed works
- Ensure installation activities align with programme and commercial objectives
- Client & Stakeholder Management
- Act as the primary point of contact throughout project delivery
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors, consultants, and stakeholders
- Provide clear, consistent, and professional communication throughout all project stages
- Chair project meetings and provide progress updates to clients and senior management
- Resolve issues promptly while maintaining strong client relationships and commercial outcomes
- Reporting & KPI Accountability
The business operates within a structured and performance-driven environment where project metrics are consistently monitored and reviewed. The successful candidate will be accountable for maintaining and reporting against key project KPIs, including:
- Margin performance versus budget
- Forecast accuracy
- Variation recovery rates
- Client satisfaction and project delivery standards
Requirements
- Minimum 3 years' experience in a Project Management role
- Background in bespoke joinery, interior fit-out, construction, or specialist subcontracting
- Strong commercial awareness with proven financial accountability experience
- Strong understanding of contract administration, change control, programme management, cost control, and commercial reporting
- Experience managing project financials, forecasting, and reporting processes
- Experience chairing meetings and coordinating multidisciplinary teams
- Strong understanding of design coordination within construction or fit-out projects
- Experience managing subcontractors and site installations
- Excellent communication and client-facing skills
- Ability to work under pressure and solve problems effectively
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail and process discipline
Desirable Experience
- Hands-on joinery or carpentry background
- Experience in luxury residential or high-end commercial interiors
- Knowledge of JCT or NEC contracts
- Experience using project management software (e.g. Wrike)
- Familiarity with Sage or similar systems
Benefits
- £75,000 - £85,000 per annum (depending on experience)
- Car allowance
- Profit share bonus scheme
- Optional company car salary sacrifice scheme
- Long-term career progression opportunities
Why Apply?
This is an opportunity to join a growing, quality-driven organisation delivering premium, design-led projects across some of the UK's most prestigious developments.
You will be part of a supportive and collaborative environment with genuine long-term progression opportunities, working on complex and high-value projects where commercial performance, process discipline, quality, and delivery are central to success.
Project Manager (Joinery Fit-Out) in Reading employer: Universal Business Team
Contact Detail:
Universal Business Team Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager (Joinery Fit-Out) in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend events, and join relevant groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Project Manager role in bespoke joinery or fit-out projects.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your past projects and successes. When you get that interview, let your experience speak for itself and demonstrate how you can deliver high-quality results.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Follow up after interviews with a thank-you note or email. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined process that makes it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience. Plus, it helps us keep track of your application better!
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager (Joinery Fit-Out) in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Project Manager role. Highlight your experience in bespoke joinery and interior fit-outs, and don’t forget to showcase your commercial awareness and project management skills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for our team. Mention specific projects you've managed and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on your achievements. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate how you’ve successfully managed budgets, timelines, and client relationships in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Universal Business Team
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the projects you've managed in the past. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them, especially in bespoke joinery or high-end fit-out environments. This will show your depth of experience and problem-solving skills.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Since this role requires strong commercial control, prepare examples that highlight your financial accountability. Discuss how you've managed budgets, tracked costs, and implemented change control processes in previous projects. This will demonstrate your ability to protect the company's commercial position.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Project Manager, you'll be the central point of contact for clients and stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare to discuss how you've built relationships and resolved issues in past projects, as effective communication is key to success in this role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your decision-making and leadership skills. Think about situations where you had to coordinate multidisciplinary teams or manage subcontractors under pressure. Being able to articulate your thought process and actions in these scenarios will set you apart from other candidates.