At Mace, our purpose is to redefine the boundaries of ambition. We believe in creating places that are responsible, bringing transformative impact to our people, communities and societies across the globe. To learn more about our purpose, culture, and priorities, visit our strategy site. 

Within our business we harness our unique combination of leading-edge practical expertise and project delivery to unlock the potential in every project.

Our values shape the way we consult, and define the people we want to join us on our journey, they are:

• Safety first - Going home safe and well
• Client focus - Deliver on our promise
• Integrity - Always do the right thing
• Create opportunity - for our people to excel

Client-side Project Director (Fixed Term Contract)

The purpose of the role is to act as the development Client for a large residential scheme in Southeast London.

The wider scheme consists of 386 no. units and was completed in two main phases in 2016 and 2020. Although parts of the scheme have been subject to snagging and re-cladding works (in order to comply with updated Build Safety Act requirements etc.) one of the blocks in the first phase - comprising 37 no. maisonette units - remains subject to a programme of major remedial works which requires the residents to be relocated into temporary alternative homes. This latter remedial programme has been underway since 2022 and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026.  At the completion of the works, the development will be handed over to a management company controlled by private residential leaseholders and including representatives from a Housing Association in respect of the affordable elements of the scheme and the Borough Council.

The project director needs the experience, skill and resilience to balance a wide range of priorities, including:
Dealing empathetically and pragmatically with residents’ concerns and requirements, including co-ordination and providing direction as appropriate through the relevant community engagement/resident liaison channels. Being a visible presence on site, including at resident briefings.

Overseeing the construction contractor’s work in a way that enables the remediation to be completed efficiently, safely, to the highest quality standards and in accordance with the agreed budget and schedule.

Clearly communicating progress to and resolving issues and risks with a varied group of stakeholders including leaseholders, resident tenants, the board of the development business, the construction team that is performing the remedial works, designers, engineers and other consultants, insurers and lawyers. This will include preparing and presenting regular reports to the Board providing progress updates on progress, variations, stakeholder engagement and legal and insurance matters.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Act as the client representative to ensure the successful and timely conclusion of remediation works in a live residential environment.
• Engage with the on-site technical and construction teams to ensure that relationships between client, contractor, other project parties and residents are positive, productive, considerate, collaborative and inclusive. Champion rational, evidence based decision-making and problem-solving.
• Manage the project management and appointed communication teams in the engagement, consultation and communication with individual leaseholders, renters and affordable housing providers and tenants.
• Lead the sourcing, leasing and occupation of temporary rehousing decant and recant options and programme, taking account of the contractors’ phased rolling repair vacant possession and remediation requirements and assessing impacts of further discovery and variations in properties.
• Engage with in-house and external commercial and legal advisors to mitigate business commercial, insurance and contractual risk.
• Work with in-house legal to prepare, negotiate, agree and execute settlement agreements with individual leaseholders.
• Oversee the identification and provision of the project management, technical services and external resources required for the project on an individual and team basis on behalf of client organisation.
• Be an active champion of Mace's value of safety first. Exhibit visible safety behaviours and use safety moments and Mace's health safety and wellbeing framework consistently.
• Own and shape the project programme, ensuring it is comprehensive, logical, up-to-date and is understood by all of the relevant stakeholders. Identify and mitigate the impact of risks and challenges, formalising project changes within the agreed timeframes.
• Ensure that the contractor has robust quality systems in place and that the operation of the systems is monitored in line with Mace’s service excellence principles.
• Manage and track project changes, progressing and formalising changes within the agreed timeframes.
• Ensure that appropriate records are maintained and that the requisite approvals are obtained for the works.
• Ensure handover documentation is provided, reviewed and approved in a timely manner prior to practical completion.
• Work in partnership with the client’s estate management service provider to ensure local problems are resolved and that communication with all residents and commercial leaseholders is regular and effective.
  
  You’ll need to have:
• Substantial previous experience in a project management and estate asset management role on medium sized or complex projects, or leading smaller projects.
• Experience in the construction delivery phase of projects.
• Appropriate construction skills certification scheme (CSCS) card. 
  Experience of working client-side for a residential developer/developer-contractor.
• Highly developed communication, presentation and project planning skills. Able to work positively and collaboratively with a wide range of technical, construction, tenant, legal and finance stakeholders.
• Successful track record of project management (including residential schemes with a construction value of £20-£50m+) and of delivering to agreed budgets in a controlled and transparent manner. Able to work to clearly defined timescales and to identify and mitigate risk.
• Proven understanding of project and construction management methodologies and practices (including construction schedule management).
• Excellent management and negotiation skills.
  
  You’ll also have:
• Deep expertise in the residential development sector including client-side project or construction management experience. Able to think as the client and act in a proactive, autonomous fashion.
• Comprehensive and up-to-date technical grasp of health and safety executive (HSE) rules and residential development sector market regulations relevant to the project (in particular, the building safety act 2022).
• Highly emotionally intelligent.
• Experience of collaborating with lawyers and insurers including dispute resolution and cost recovery processes.
• Committed to Mace’s values and behaviours.  
• Naturally, obviously and always inclusive.  
• Effective at partnering with others to achieve shared performance goals.
• Comfortable taking charge and providing guidance, direction and coordination as client.
• Uses empathy to influence and manage issues about which residents are sensitive.
• Rational and evidence-based problem solving and analytical skills.  
• Self-aware: understands personal strengths and weaknesses, seeks input and support where appropriate.  

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all of the criteria, please apply as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.

We are also open to discussing part time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role.

#LI-On-site