Project Manager - Hotel Opening

The Wild Rabbit; Chipping Norton; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bamford Collection Discounts

Local gym discounts

Padel Discount

Volunteering Days

Private Medical

Pension Scheme

Life Assurance

Mental Health Support

Job summary

The Bamford Collection seeks an experienced Project Manager for an 18-month fixed-term role to lead the opening of The Mill Hotel and Private Members' Club in Kingham, Oxfordshire. You will oversee end-to-end delivery from concept to launch, coordinating cross-functional teams across hospitality, Commercial, Finance and Operations.

Based at Daylesford Farm in Gloucestershire, the role requires close collaboration and leadership of pre-opening activities, recruitment and training, and guest

Qualifications

• Extensive experience managing luxury hospitality or private members' clubs.
• Proven track record delivering projects from concept to launch.
• Strong governance, risk management and budgeting skills.
• Experience leading pre-opening and operational readiness activities.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing abilities.
• Strong commercial acumen and budget oversight.
• Highly organised with meticulous planning.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the overall project plan and critical path for the hotel opening.
• Monitor progress, identify risks and implement mitigation plans.
• Coordinate multiple workstreams and ensure governance throughout the lifecycle.
• Prepare regular updates and reports for senior stakeholders.
• Lead pre-opening activities, recruitment, training and guest experience development.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to deliver objectives.

Job description

ABOUT US

THE BAMFORD COLLECTION IS A GROUPOF CONSCIOUSLY MINDED LIFESTYLE BRANDS COMMITTED TO NOURISHINGAND NURTURING PEOPLE AND PLANET.

The Mill will sit at the pinnacle of The Bamford Collection, a design-led retreat in the Cotswolds with understated elegance, craftsmanship and a strong sense of place. Comprising ten individually designed thatched cottages, a members' club, restaurant, bar, private dining room, wild swimming lake and spa, the luxury hotel will deliver an unparalleled offering rooted in The Bamford Collection's signature philosophy combining quality and craftsmanship with sustainability and authenticity.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking an exceptional Project Manager on an 18-month fixed-term contract to lead the end-to-end delivery of one of our most exciting and ambitious projects to date, the opening of The Mill Hotel and Private Members' Club, in Kingham, Oxfordshire.

This pivotal role will be responsible for managing the critical path from concept through to launch, ensuring all operational, commercial and strategic objectives are delivered successfully and in line with the vision of the Bamford Collection.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced hospitality project professional to shape a world-class destination, overseeing all aspects of operational planning, pre-opening activity, recruitment, training and guest experience development across accommodation, food and beverage, wellness and membership propositions.

Based at our beautiful Daylesford Farm in Gloucestershire, this is a full-time, office-based role requiring close collaboration across multiple business functions and stakeholders.

SALARY£42,000 - £46,000 per annum.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management & Delivery

• Develop, manage and deliver the overall project plan and critical path, ensuring all milestones are achieved on time and within budget.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks and implement mitigation plans where required.
• Coordinate multiple workstreams and ensure effective project governance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Prepare regular project updates and reports for senior stakeholders and leadership teams.

Pre-Opening & Operational Readiness

• Lead all operational readiness activities in preparation for launch.
• Oversee the development of operational structures, policies, procedures and service standards.
• Coordinate testing, soft opening activities and readiness reviews to ensure a seamless opening experience.
• Ensure all legal, health and safety and regulatory requirements are met.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the key link between operational teams, development teams and external partners.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders across Hospitality, Commercial, Finance, Marketing, People and Operations.
• Manage relationships with consultants, contractors and suppliers, ensuring effective communication and decision-making throughout the project.

People & Recruitment

• Partner with the People and Recruitment teams to develop workforce plans and timelines.
• Support the recruitment, onboarding and training strategy for the pre-opening team.
• Help establish a high-performing culture that reflects the standards and ethos of the Bamford Collection.

Commercial & Financial Management

• Support budget planning and forecasting activities.
• Monitor project expenditure and ensure resources are allocated effectively.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiencies and support the successful delivery of project objectives within agreed financial parameters.

SKILLS YOU WILL BRING

• Significant experience managing large-scale luxury hospitality, hotel, leisure or private members' club projects.
• Proven track record of delivering projects from concept through to operational launch.
• Strong project management expertise, including critical path planning, risk management and governance.
• Experience leading pre-opening and operational readiness activities.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and collaborate at all levels.
• Strong commercial acumen and budget management experience.
• Highly organised with exceptional planning and prioritisation skills.
• Proactive, resilient and solutions-focused, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Excellent communication skills with strong attention to detail.

• Desirable - Knowledge of hospitality systems implementation and operational technology.

PERKS AND BENEFITS

• Bamford Collection Discounts: We offer a range of discounts on our retail, wellness, and hospitality experiences from day one.
• Local gym discounts
• Padel Discount
• Volunteering Days: Employees are offered one paid day per year to volunteer with a charity of their choice.
• Private Medical: We offer subsidised private medical insurance through Bupa.
• Pension Scheme: Pay up to 9% of your salary into your pension each month; we contribute up to 4.5%.
• Life Assurance: We offer life assurance cover, equivalent of up to a year of your annual salary.
• Mental Health Support: Our Employee Assistance Programme provides 24-hour support, seven days a week.