Project Manager Interim Role London Based

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A job has arisen for a Project Manager to work for an Education establishment based in London, the job for the Project Manager is contract position and will pay up to £250 per day. The job for the Project Manager will require someone with proven experience in managing student accommodation packages, including optimizing development opportunities.

The Company and Project

The quality and quantity of accommodation offered by this establishment is an important consideration for potential students, they recently produced targets the provision of an extra 1000 bed spaces above its current offering.

The existing residential portfolio is a combination of freehold, FRI leasehold, and beds under Nomination Agreements, all of which require asset management.

Client construction meetings have been ongoing for the past year, with 90% of procurement completed by an independent Development Agency. Meetings are held with the agency monthly as well as on a weekly basis to:

• Monitor progress and quality


• Manage the project Employers Agent, Clerk of Works and M&E consultant


• Ensure the project remains within cost parameters


• Make design decisions (liaising with the Accommodation and Facilities Department as well the College)


• Liaise with the Accommodation Department on operational and mobilisation matters


• Provide update papers for board and steering groups

The Job

To provide building surveying and construction project management expertise over a broad range of project work across the estate, focusing primarily on Student Accommodation Projects.

The Project Manager will be the representative who acts as a single focal point of contact for the Project with the professional team and who is responsible for the day-to-day management of this and other associated projects.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Acting as Client Representative on the Project including:

• Appraising design development options and coordinating stakeholder input to the ongoing building design


• Securing the resources required to ensure successful delivery of the project


• Coordinating value management on the project as required


• Managing the project budget, including contingency sums


• Receiving and reviewing detailed reports on the project


• Maintaining a constructive working relationship with Estates colleagues at all stages during a project, but particularly handover and commissioning.


• Maintaining regular dialogue with contractors to promote problem solving, team working and risk-sharing

Acting as the Professional Lead for all commercial transactions relating to Student Accommodation including:

• Proactively acquiring bed spaces through off-balance sheet occupancy agreements and property transactions and lead the disposal / lease termination of dilapidated / unpopular properties.


• Pre-construction acquisition including identifying strategic locations and development partners, negotiating and structuring lease agreements involving the management of external solicitors and accountants.


• On a day to day basis, be a focal point for all student accommodation development opportunities, attending meetings and, on the instructions of the Estates Director prepare board papers and report to Estates, Finance, and Governors committee as required.


• Maintain a database which tracks all existing portfolio occupancy agreements and forecasts the acquisition of new and disposal of old bed stock.


• Lead on the disposal of student accommodation residences and also work alongside the department head in ensuring break notices are correctly served.


• Where Leases are a composite of the transaction or they are potentially “on-balance sheet” to liaise with (and/or work with) the Directors of Estates and Finance as required.

Experience, Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Recognised appropriate professional building industry/ building control/ facilities management qualification or equivalent, MRICS or BIFM


• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a surveying, construction or property-related discipline.


• Excellent technical knowledge of building construction, surveying and professional work.


• Sound knowledge of the Building Regulations, fire risk assessments, health and safety including CDM, the Equality Act 2010 and implications for management of the built environment, etc.


• Specific knowledge of the student accommodation market including rent levels and development costs.


• Current knowledge of the appropriate professional and legal standards relevant to HE sector capital projects.


• Proven experience of project managing on-site delivery of construction projects in a client representative role or similar


• Experience of the design and delivery of student accommodation schemes Ability to design, detail and specify construction works


• Comprehensive experience in property surveys, defects analysis, planned maintenance programmes and implementation.


• Proven experience of procuring, appointing and managing consultant design teams and contractors


• Proven experience of building contracts and contract administration. Experience of property acquisitions, ideally in connection with Student Accommodation schemes


• Understanding of BREEAM and SKA ratings in relation to educational buildings including student accommodation

If you feel you meet the criteria and would like to have a more confidential conversation about this position, please feel free to call Andy Dique on or email .