Senior Project Manager

Job Description

Job Description

The Role:

The Senior Project Manager plays a vital role in helping the organization execute its expansion and refurbishment strategies across a global portfolio of luxury hospitality venues. They will support the Head of Development in portfolio delivery, strategic CapEx management, design direction, and real estate evaluation. Duties include managing multiple projects globally, both for current venues and new openings. They must plan, supervise, and execute projects in a manner that meets management's objectives, and ensure project delivery within budget and on time.

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for coordinating and managing design teams and third-party contractors to ensure that all projects meet the brand’s standards. This role serves as the primary point of accountability for assigned projects, maintaining project health, escalating issues early, and bringing solutions to leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

Portfolio & Schedule Management

• Manages the design, development, and administration lifecycle for multiple concurrent projects spanning feasibility, design development, construction documentation, permitting, bidding, and construction administration
• Builds and maintains preliminary project schedules, milestone tracking, and risk logs.
• Serves as primary point of accountability for assigned projects, proactively escalating matters early and bringing solutions to the Head of Development 

Design Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Leads cross-functional coordination across design, legal, construction, and brand teams, ensuring approvals move efficiently and decisions are documented
• Presents comprehensive progress reports to the management and other stakeholders
• Champions brand design standards across every project, balancing consistency with local code requirements, landlord constraints, and market trends
• Manages architecture and design consultants through design development and construction documentation, holding their work to brand quality standards and project-specific requirements
• Leads the development of project information to the correct bidding standard, covering development of plans, elevations, sections, details, specifications, and renderings
• Reviews submittals and shop drawings for design conformance, catching deviations before they reach the field

Real Estate, Feasibility & Pre-Construction

• Supports Head of Development with site evaluation, pre-lease due diligence, and lease negotiations, advising on design and construction implications of proposed terms
• Undertakes feasibility studies on prospective properties, identifying design opportunities and construction risks early in the site selection process
• Engages with landlord teams relating to approvals, project setup, and tenant coordination, representing the company's interests and standards professionally
• Supports initial project budget development and assists during the bidding and contractor selection process

Budget & Cost Management

• Monitors spend vs approved budget and cashflow, proactively flags deviations and recommends mitigation strategies
• Oversees value engineering to increase project efficiency and viability across the portfolio
• Supports Head of Development with senior financial reporting on global CapEx forecasting

Project Planning & Schedule Coordination

• Develops detailed project plans to guide management through each project from inception through opening
• Sets project milestones and coordinates call schedules with project teams, design consultants, and construction partners
• Analyses work packages and identify key trade interfaces, critical paths, potential roadblocks, and milestones across multiple concurrent projects
• Oversees government authority permitting processes including plan review, inspections and closeout across various jurisdictions
• Manages internal critical path processes with the wider corporate team 

Construction Administration & Vendor Management

• Supports in resolving RFIs and field issues, providing timely guidance that keeps projects moving
• Conducts on-site observations to review design intent, construction quality and functionality, flagging deficiencies and driving them to resolution
• Troubleshoots constructability issues without compromising design or schedule
• Negotiates, resolves and closes out outstanding change orders, quality issues, and disputes
• Solicits competitive bids from suppliers and coordinates supplier contracts and logistics
• Tracks key project documents to ensure they are complete, current, and appropriately stored

  Job Requirements:

• 5+ years of experience in fast-track commercial design, construction, development and/or hospitality project management
• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, architecture, construction management or related field preferred - industry experience can be a substitute
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple concurrent capital projects with budgets in the $5m-$20m+ range.
• Construction administrative field experience on restaurants, hospitality, or luxury retail projects
• Ability to understand contracts and contractual documents
• Outstanding negotiation skills marked by successful outcomes with contractors and suppliers
• Ability to deliver projects on time and on budget
• Excellent client relations and team management skills; ability to interface with senior management, C-suite leadership, and key external stakeholders
• Strong financial skills including bid analysis, budgeting, and cashflow forecasting
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• General knowledge of building codes in U.S.
• Flexibility in schedule, this position may require travel
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• International experience, architectural design experience or luxury hospitality design experience a plus
• CAD skills a plus

Company Overview:

Join our dynamic and growing restaurant group of companies, where innovation meets culinary excellence. As a leading player in the hospitality industry, we are dedicated to crafting memorable dining experiences whilst maintaining a commitment to financial health and strategic growth. Owned restaurants include the SUSHISAMBA and Duck & Waffle restaurants and bars in the City of London, SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden and SUSHISAMBA Las Vegas and SUSHISAMBA Los Angeles. Licensed operations currently include Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Milan, Doha, Edinburgh, Bahrain, and Singapore.