Assistant Project Manager

Deverell Smith Recruitment Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Company pension with matched employer/

Flexible working: 3 days in office, 2?

Laptop and mobile phone

Job summary

Deverell Smith Recruitment Ltd is seeking an Assistant Project Manager for a leading build-to-rent owner-operator in London. You will support Senior Project Managers, coordinate workstreams, and help drive project delivery from development through handover.

The role requires independence, strong organisation and a proactive approach to solving problems. We’re looking for someone with 2–4 years of relevant experience, a related degree, and good IT skills.

Qualifications

• Approximately 2-4 years' relevant experience in project management.
• Degree in Project Management, Real Estate, Construction or related field.
• Experience supporting projects and/or project management activities.
• Understanding of basic project management principles and terminology.
• Strong written and verbal communication, plus IT skills (Word/Excel).

Responsibilities

• Support Senior Project Managers and the Project Director on delivery of projects.
• Take ownership of smaller projects, workstreams and tasks.
• Coordinate project meetings and document actions to completion.
• Maintain project reporting, information and documentation.
• Assist with consultant and contractor management and insurance administration.
• Develop internal systems, processes and reporting requirements.

Skills

2-4 years' experience

Degree in PM/Real Estate/Construction

Proactive and independent working

Strong IT skills (MS Word, Excel)

Education

Degree in Project Management, Real Estate, Construction

Tools

SharePoint

Teams

OneDrive

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Project Manager to join the Projects team of a leading UK build-to-rent owner-operator.

The business operates a significant residential portfolio and has a strong focus on development, investment and long-term asset management.

This is a varied role offering exposure across the full project lifecycle, from development and design through construction, completion, handover and operational considerations.

The Role

Reporting to senior members of the Project Management team, the Assistant Project Manager will support the successful delivery and coordination of projects and workstreams across the development portfolio.

You will provide support to Senior Project Managers and the Project Director, while also taking ownership of smaller project workstreams, tasks and deliverables.

The successful candidate will be someone who can take an instruction, understand what is required and proactively drive it through to completion without requiring significant supervision.

The role will involve working closely with internal teams and a broad range of external consultants, contractors and project partners.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Team Support

• Support Senior Project Managers and senior leadership with the day-to-day management of projects and workstreams.
• Take ownership of smaller projects, workstreams and individual tasks.
• Coordinate project meetings, stakeholder meetings, working groups and team meetings.
• Prepare agendas, take clear and accurate action-focused minutes and track actions through to completion.
• Maintain project reporting, information and documentation.
• Support the development and implementation of project processes and procedures.
• Identify issues, undertake research and help determine appropriate next steps.
• Ensure project team members are kept informed of key developments, decisions and actions.
• Provide proactive support to ensure the project team operates efficiently.

Project Administration & Systems

• Maintain project filing and document management systems.
• Manage project information and support effective document control.
• Develop and maintain internal systems, processes and reporting requirements.
• Support project reporting and monitoring.
• Assist with consultant and contractor management.
• Support the administration of project-related insurance, including renewals and live policies for contractors and consultants.
• Assist with wider project and property processes as required.

Stakeholder Management

• Build effective working relationships with internal teams across the business.
• Liaise with external consultants, contractors and other project stakeholders.
• Coordinate third-party activities and requirements with project teams.
• Work collaboratively across Development, Operations, Facilities, ESG and other internal functions.
• Attend project sites and meetings as required.

Team & Business Support

• Provide proactive diary and meeting management where required.
• Organise team CPD sessions, meetings and social events.
• Support continuous improvement of team processes and procedures.
• Act as a reliable source of project information and guidance.
• Take on additional responsibilities and tasks as required.

About You

We are looking for someone who is proactive, curious and keen to build a career in project management.

You will have enough experience to work with a degree of independence, while being at a stage in your career where you are keen to learn from experienced project professionals.

You will ideally have:

• Approximately 2-4 years' relevant experience, although candidates with more or less experience may be considered depending on their potential.
• A degree in Project Management, Real Estate, Construction or another relevant built-environment discipline.
• Experience supporting projects and/or project management activities.
• An understanding of basic project management principles, processes and terminology.
• Strong organisational and attention-to-detail skills.
• The ability to take ownership of tasks and see them through to completion.
• A proactive approach and the ability to work independently.
• Natural curiosity and a willingness to ask questions and find solutions.
• The ability to quickly understand new information and determine appropriate next steps.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence working with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior colleagues and external consultants.
• The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Strong IT skills, particularly Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Experience with SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive or similar systems would be advantageous.
• Experience in document control or document management would be beneficial.

Experience within residential, build-to-rent, property, construction, consultancy, engineering, quantity surveying or building surveying would be relevant. However, sector experience is less important than having the right aptitude, attitude and transferable project management skills.

What We're Looking For

The key to success in this role is ownership.

We are looking for someone who can be given an instruction, understand what is required and proactively progress it without needing to be repeatedly chased or directed.

You should be:

• Proactive - you see what needs doing and get on with it.
• Curious - you want to understand how things work and why decisions are made.
• Solutions-focused - you make a genuine attempt to solve problems before escalating them.
• Organised - you keep track of actions, information and deadlines.
• Collaborative - you build strong relationships and work well with others.
• Ambitious - you want to develop your project management career.
• Adaptable - you are comfortable working across different projects, teams and priorities.

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to join a leading BTR owner-operator and gain broad, hands-on exposure to the full development lifecycle.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Work on major London development projects.
• Gain exposure to development, design, construction, completion and operations.
• Work alongside experienced Senior Project Managers and senior stakeholders.
• Build relationships with consultants, contractors and other project partners.
• Understand how development decisions impact residents and long-term asset performance.
• Develop your project management skills and take increasing ownership of projects.
• Progress towards Project Manager and Senior Project Manager positions.
• Pursue relevant professional development, including APC, APM or other qualifications.
• Work within a collaborative, professional and supportive organisation.

Benefits

The role offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• Salary of £35,000-£45,000, depending on experience.
• Private healthcare following successful completion of probation.
• Company pension with approximately 6% matched contributions.
• Approximately 22 days' annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Life insurance / death-in-service benefits.
• Company laptop and mobile phone.
• Corporate social responsibility days.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Flexible working arrangements, typically 3 days in the office and 2 days from home.