Senior Construction Manager

OVERVIEW The Senior Manager – Construction (International) leads construction management planning for the company's international portfolio, working to approved project documents and objectives. The role supports the Construction Director across two areas: new store expansion in international markets, and major repair and small projects in those same markets. It combines on-site construction management with activities planning, and involves working closely with government authorities and local counterparts to deliver projects on time, to specification and within budget.

Key Responsibilities
Project Planning & Budget
• Support the feasibility study process, including draft layouts and cost estimates.
• Develop project definitions and project plans for all projects, identifying milestones and agreeing the scope and criteria for milestone achievement.
• Help obtain preliminary budgets, and compile, establish and manage CAPEX budgets, cash flow forecasts and revisions.
• Help develop the master baseline programme, collate reports from project teams, and maintain progress updates and as-built records against baseline.
• Maintain critical path analysis for each project and alert management to deviations and risks.
• Provide monitoring reports on progress, cost and performance.
• Develop new store designs for new formats, working with designers and the operations team. Construction Delivery & Site Management
• Provide day-to-day construction management and oversight of implementation contractors.
• Review design submittals for design-build work at the various design stages, and make recommendations.
• Direct subcontractors on best practice construction methodology.
• Perform inspections of ongoing and completed work, identify non-compliant processes and products, and direct subcontractors to resolution.
• Document conditions, progress and issues; track variances and non-compliance items through to resolution.
• Manage field work within the construction budget, and review and approve construction invoices.
• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of a Construction Quality Assurance Plan for each project.
• Manage all assets in new store construction as fixed asset management.
• Ensure properties meet legal, health and safety requirements in accordance with the relevant authorities' regulations. Risk, Cost Control & Stakeholder Management
• Identify, manage and escalate risks and issues through to resolution, raising early warning on missed milestones to allow time for recovery.
• Control, manage and minimise variations, and advise on opportunities for cost saving without compromising quality.
• Manage and certify consultant, contractor, supplier and utility provider accounts, and process payments.
• Act as the operations representative at project team meetings, ensuring prompt action in response to concerns raised.
• Maintain close contact and clear communication with other functions, and manage cross-functional input to the design and construction teams.
• Participate in progress meetings and provide input to progress reports.
• Participate in the SHE programme, identify unsafe work practices, and direct staff and subcontractors to rectify them. The role carries the authority to stop work where practices are unsafe or non-compliant.
• Guide and motivate project team members, maintain morale and discipline, and help identify training needs.
• Help arrange adequate security and insurance cover across all company premises.
• Follow good management practice and quality control standards, and comply with company procedures and guidelines at all times. Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil or Structural Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
• At least ten years' experience in design and construction management of estate units, with related site planning experience and good knowledge of building and M&E systems.
• Professional registration as an engineer, or a construction manager certification.
• Demonstrated experience working with host country nationals, government agencies, local counterparts and international donor agencies.
• Good understanding of the inter-functional relationships within a property or construction business.
• Detailed knowledge of project planning software, with enough experience to develop standard generic plans and track progress.
• Good knowledge of cost estimation and budgetary systems.
• Knowledge of international building codes and standards, and of international quality assurance and quality control procedures.
• Understanding of construction requirements and standards for civil works, including site works, environmental remediation, and facilities demolition and construction.
• Knowledge of SHE requirements for projects, with a safety mindset at all times.
• Fluency in English is highly preferred, with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Analytical and systematic, meticulous and detail-oriented, with strong planning, organising and interpersonal skills.
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision, meet deadlines, and manage multiple competing priorities.
• Willing to travel approximately 50% of the time, both domestically and internationally.