Head of Design and Construction - Executive Director

Aumni; Greater London; On-site; GBP 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

J.P. Morgan is seeking a Head of Design and Construction in Global Real Estate to lead the delivery of workplace and client center projects across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The role drives strategy, governance, and end-to-end execution, partnering with strategy, transactions, finance and procurement. You will manage a high-performing team, align delivery with company standards and regulatory policies, and ensure on-time, on-budget completion with strong risk controls and stakeholder

Qualifications

• Experience delivering large-scale real estate projects with cross-functional teams.
• Proven ability to manage consultants, construction managers, subcontractors and vendors.
• Experience navigating permitting and incentives as part of project delivery.
• Track record of managing multiple capital projects from small to very large values.
• Balance budget, quality and timely delivery under pressure.
• Strong written and verbal communication for executive leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing Design and Construction team.
• Optimize resources to meet priorities and delivery pipeline.
• Shape and execute the real estate strategic plan with partners.
• Oversee due diligence and capital estimates for site selection.
• Define delivery strategies aligned to workplace best practices.
• Maintain market connectivity to identify delivery innovations.
• Translate business needs into practical design and planning solutions.
• Develop execution plans to optimize schedule, budget, and risk.
• Lead procurement and vendor relationships.
• Deliver end-to-end execution with governance and data controls.
• Ensure smooth handover to facilities management.

Skills

Leadership of design teams

Budget management

Vendor management

Strategic planning

Education

Degree in construction/engineering/architecture/business

Tools

AI tools

Job description

Shape how people work, collaborate, and serve clients—through spaces that truly perform. Join us at the world’s leading bank as we expand our Corporate Investment Bank, Asset and Wealth Management, and Chase businesses across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In this senior leadership role, you will lead real estate investment delivery—creating exceptional workplace experiences for our people and purpose-built client centers.
You will work across strategy, transactions, finance, procurement, and delivery partners to bring complex projects from concept to handover—on time, on budget, and with strong governance.

As a Head of Design and Construction in Global Real Estate, you lead the firm’s real estate investment delivery, creating exceptional workplace experiences for our people and purpose-built client centers.
You will manage and develop a high-performing Design and Construction team and partner closely with internal stakeholders and vendor partners to deliver projects on time and within budget.
We’ll rely on you to align delivery to workplace guidelines, company standards, and regulatory policies—while strengthening controls, managing risk, and supporting business outcomes.

Job responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing Design and Construction team, supporting talent acquisition, training, and retention.
• Optimize resourcing to meet business priorities and the delivery pipeline.
• Collaborate with strategy, transactions, and finance partners to shape and execute the real estate strategic plan.
• Oversee technical due diligence and capital estimates to support site selection and funding decisions.
• Define project delivery strategies aligned to workplace and industry best practices.
• Maintain strong market connectivity to identify trends and innovations that improve delivery outcomes.
• Partner with stakeholders to translate business requirements into practical, high-quality design and planning solutions.
• Develop execution plans and programs to optimize schedule, budget, outcomes, and risk management.
• Lead procurement approaches, including request-for-proposal activity and ongoing vendor relationship management.
• Deliver end-to-end execution with robust change management, accurate project data, and strong process controls.
• Ensure effective handover to facilities management and support clear workplace communications.

Required qualifications, capabilities, and skills

• Deep knowledge of the construction industry and delivery of large-scale projects.
• Experience partnering with consultants, construction managers, subcontractors, and vendors across varied contract types.
• Experience navigating permitting and incentives processes as part of project delivery.
• Proven track record managing simultaneous capital projects, including projects from $50,000 to over $100MM.
• Ability to balance budget requirements with quality and timely delivery.
• Strong communication, influencing, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Strong capability in preparing written project correspondence for executive leadership.
• Knowledge of business processes and procedures, applications, workflow, and planning.
• Knowledge of business services and systems and implementing corporate policies.

Preferred qualifications, capabilities, and skills

• Extensive experience in real estate and/or project management including managing a high-volume portfolio of concurent capital projects.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree (or equivalent), preferably in construction, engineering, architecture, or business.
• Strong time management skills and sound judgement to elevate issues when needed.
• Ability to motivate teams to deliver strong results.li>
• Strong financial skills and business acumen.
• Strong working knowledge of relevant applications, including artificial intelligence tools.

J.P. Morgan is a global leader in financial services, providing strategic advice and products to the world’s most prominent corporations, governments, wealthy individuals and institutional investors. Our first-class business in a first-class way approach to serving clients drives everything we do. We strive to build trusted, long-term partnerships to help our clients achieve their business objectives.
We recognize that our people are our strength and the diverse talents they bring to our global workforce are directly linked to our success. We are an equal opportunity employer and place a high value on diversity and inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. We also make reasonable accommodations for applicants’ and employees’ religious practices and beliefs, as well as mental health or physical disability needs. Visit our FAQs for more information about requesting an accommodation.

Our professionals in our Corporate Functions cover a diverse range of areas from finance and risk to human resources and marketing. Our corporate teams are an essential part of our company, ensuring that we’re setting our businesses, clients, customers and employees up for success. Lead workplace design and construction projects that create exceptional experiences for teams and clients.