Assistant Project Manager - Property

Sephora; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading beauty retailer is seeking an Assistant Project Manager to join their expanding team in London. This role involves overseeing new store openings, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with design standards. Ideal candidates will have experience in project management, particularly in retail fit-outs, along with a solid understanding of construction and design. The position requires travel across the UK and offers a vibrant work culture centered on empowerment and growth.

Benefits

Community and culture of empowerment

Opportunities for learning and growth

Work that brings fulfillment

Qualifications

• Solid background in project management within the UK, particularly in retail fit-outs.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Familiarity with JCT contracts and procurement routes is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare tender documents, maintain costings, and budgets.
• Oversee construction programs to ensure timely delivery.
• Ensure construction detailing meets design objectives.

Skills

Project Management

Contract Knowledge

Design & Materials Insight

Technical Skills

Governance & Risk Management

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

At Sephora, beauty is about feeling seen, valued, and empowered, individually and collectively. It is connecting deeply with others, celebrating diversity and inclusivity, unlocking your potential and making a difference every day. Together, we belong to something beautiful.

The Opportunity

As Sephora continues to expand its store network across the UK, we have a newly created opportunity for an Assistant Project Manager to join our team during this exciting growth phase. Reporting to the UK Head of Property, you will play a crucial role in planning, coordinating, and managing new store and office openings. In this role, you will oversee day-to-day operations with consultants and construction partners to ensure compliance with Sephora's design and build standards, delivering high-quality stores on time and within budget.

Collaborating closely with our internal teams, you will drive strategic planning for store layout design and construction feasibility, while striving for continuous improvement in construction standards. You will have a unique opportunity to work with the Sephora EME central team and external partners, ensuring the seamless execution of our ambitious expansion plans and delivering exceptional retail experiences across the UK.

You will also be responsible for:

• Tendering & Budgeting: Prepare tender documents, maintain costings and budgets, and raise direct orders within allocated budgets.
• Project Management: Oversee construction programs to ensure timely delivery, review and approve drawing submissions, and monitor contractor progress reports.
• Quality Control & Compliance: Ensure construction detailing meets design objectives, conduct QA/QC inspections, and develop snag lists to document and complete all defects.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Coordinate with architects, consultants, and the retail team, attend and document meetings, and ensure contractors adhere to design intent.
• Handover & Aftercare: Manage store handovers, track submissions and approvals to landlords, and ensure all certifications are obtained before practical completion.
• Continuous Improvement: Collaborate with the central design team to enhance technical details and materials for store designs, ensuring properties meet lease requirements and are ready for growth and change.

What You’ll Bring

We are looking for a proactive and experienced professional to drive the success of our expansion projects. You should bring a solid background in project management within the UK, particularly in retail fit-outs. Your technical skills, along with your ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, will be crucial for this role. Additionally, your knowledge of contracts, design materials, and construction standards will help ensure that we meet our ambitious goals. Given the nature of this role, you will be required travel to locations across the UK.

Our ideal candidate will also possess:

• Contract Knowledge: Familiarity with JCT contracts and procurement routes.
• Initiative & Accountability: A self-starter with high personal accountability and a proactive approach.
• Design & Materials Insight: A Strong understanding of interior design materials, finishes, and lighting.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in AutoCAD and a solid understanding of construction drawings.
• Governance & Risk Management: Strong experience in cost management, risk assessment, and project governance.

Here, you will find:

• Community, in which authenticity is embraced, and the strength of our differences fuels our collective spirit.

• Culture of empowerment, learning & growth, that offers you the tools, space and opportunity to learn, innovate and lead

• Work that brings, fulfillment. From delighting clients every day, to inspiring our industry at large, every action makes a difference

Join us and belong to something beautiful.