Project Director

At Sweet Projects, we work with the data, defence and energy sectors. We are a comprehensive design, construction and engineering provider, offering services spanning site acquisition, architecture, and refurbishment to client occupancy. In our world, there are no simple projects, only specialist needs and clever solutions.

We are a general contracting business, drawing on over forty years of specialised industry experience to provide excellent service, sustain long-term partnerships and achieve the highest quality outcome for key clients, whilst maintaining financial commitments.

Sweet Projects is a general contractor business, drawing on over forty years of specialised industry experience to provide excellent service, sustain long-term partnerships and achieve the highest quality outcome for key clients, whilst maintaining financial commitments.

Since inception in early 2020, the business continues to grow and has a projected turnover of £140m. Currently specialising in the delivery of Data Centres, it will further expand into the delivery of other key specialist assets, including Pharmaceutical and Defence.

It is envisaged that the role will support the aim of Sweet Projects in serving all client needs. This will be achieved by:

• The development of key working relationships with all Sweet Projects staff, clients, consultants and sub-contractors.
• Working in close partnership with local supply chain partners and using local expertise and knowledge
• Contributing to long-term customer partnerships ensuring repeat business
• Ensure that all work is kept on programme and that all details as specified in the drawings and instructions are adhered to.
• Supervision of all direct labour as may be necessary and co-ordinate the activities of all the trades and disciplines involved on the site so that all operations are performed efficiently and in accordance with the construction programme and the quality and cost standards required by the Company.

Ensuring delivery on time, to budget and to agreed quality ensuring procedures are followed / maintained and that authorisation parameters are not exceeded thus ensuring compliance with our group procedures.

The Project director duties and responsibilities include:

Departmental Responsibilities

• Ensure an optimum return to the Company.
• Implement project procurement requirements, strategy and the placement of orders.
• When subcontracting ensure that the administration, commercial management and payment processes are carried out timely, fairly and reasonably.
• Advise Senior management and other departments of the Company’s contractual rights, remedies, and obligations under the Contract.
• Implement and comply with the Company’s financial controls and reporting procedures.
• Comply with the Company’s management health, safety, environmental and quality procedures and standards.
• Foster continuous improvement and communicate outcomes to Management.
• Comply with the Companies business authorisation levels & controls
• Implement, comply and promote the Company’s Business Initiatives.
• Lead project team in Value engineering review of project design to maximise return, quality, timing, safety

People Responsibilities

• Manage project construction teams in line with the Sweet Projects values and culture.
• Communicate business matters to staff and encourage regular dialogue to exchange information and ideas for improvement.
• Provide effective feedback to project teams and individuals
• Identify and recommend to Head of Construction training requirements of commercial staff.
• Facilitate the personal development of the site team.
• Encourage staff and contribute to staff development activities on site.

Technical Responsibilities

• Strive to optimise the profitability of the Company.
• Establish and maintain regular project team meetings that include risk assessment and management as key agenda items
• Proactively
• manage and monitor programmes, change process and financial reporting for assigned projects to ensure commercial and relationship risk avoidance and management
• Prepare budgets and site objectives in conjunction with the site management team.
• Monitor all cost expenditure; and in conjunction with the site management, implement cost control measures.
• Ensure financial reporting is carried out to the Companies requirements and standards i.e. financial reporting cash forecast, End of Life results.
• Maintain regular communication with Head of Construction, Commercial, Site and Head of office teams.
• Foster good communication with project colleagues and promote profitability and cash management.
• Keep Senior management and directors informed of relevant issues and establish that key events and reports are communicated.
• Develop a professional working relationship with clients and their representatives.
• Provide feedback to estimators and other head office departments to promote best practice and value.
• Assist in Developing supply chain relationships to the benefit of Sweet Projects.
• Organise the monitoring and recording of all variations both client and subcontractors.
• Organise the process of instructing subcontractor variations
• Maintain and improve the image of Sweet Projects.
• Broaden experience and develop a proficiency in the commercial management of Contract(s) / work(s) allocated.

The Project Directors Minimum Qualifications/experience:

• Degree educated or equivalent in construction related subject
• Membership of professional body (e.g., CIOB, RICS etc)
• Membership of the CSCS scheme
• 5-day SMSTS – CITB
• 1st Aid at Work (4 day)
• A strong understanding of construction methods and technology including materials.
• A proven proactive knowledge of the management of health, safety and environment
• Understanding of contract documentation and reporting and how best to protect Sweet Projects Commercially
• Be fully IT competent.
• Proven track record of career progression through engineering, trade, or construction roles in the construction industry
• Be fully compliant in planning techniques and the use of relevant software.
• Fully understand and lead customer management
• Have a sound understanding of risk management and how it is managed.
• Have a sound knowledge of the design and build process.
• Demonstrate the capability of ‘multi-tasking’.
• Must have a working knowledge of NEC, JCT contracts
• Working understanding of procurement practices and forms of main and subcontract
• Good understanding of Cost / value process and reporting
• Proven experience as construction project manager

At Sweet Projects, we offer a comprehensive salary and benefits package, including:

• Very competitive salary
• Company travel allowance
• 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays, plus birthday day off
• Pension scheme (contributory) with NEST
• Life assurance x 4
• Private medical health care (BUPA)
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme

Sweet Projects is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that our success is built on the success of our employees. We are committed to providing a supportive and rewarding work environment that helps our employees to achieve their personal and professional goals.

Our policy is clear: there shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, or sexual orientation.

We are an inclusive organization and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates. Selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone.