Residential Project Director - Construction

FindCore; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

FindCore seeks an experienced Project Director / Associate Director to lead residential and student accommodation developments in Manchester. The role emphasizes taking ownership of complex projects, managing design teams, and coordinating with clients and consultants to ensure safe, compliant delivery.

Strong leadership, governance, and stakeholder management are essential, with a track record in delivering high-quality residential schemes and navigating building safety gateway processes.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading residential construction projects.
• Experience delivering new-build developments including student accommodation.
• Experience taking projects through building safety gateway process.
• Ability to interpret technical reports and translate into delivery actions.
• Strong knowledge of construction delivery, procurement routes, contracts and governance.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Strong commercial awareness and cost/risk management.
• Confident in client relationship management and communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead residential and student accommodation projects from feasibility to handover.
• Own project delivery; manage programmes, budgets, quality and risk.
• Coordinate building safety gateway submissions with clients and consultants.
• Review technical reports and translate into practical actions.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and ensure actions are completed.
• Provide senior client liaison, reporting and proactive solutions.
• Develop delivery strategies, procurement plans, programmes and budgets.
• Oversee governance, contract administration, change control and risk.
• Chair project meetings and communicate with stakeholders.

Skills

Residential construction

Project leadership

Building safety gateway

Client management

Contract administration

Cost & risk management

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Project Director / Associate Director – Residential

About the Company

FindCore are thrilled to be assisting a leading multidisciplinary construction consultancy with the recruitment of a Project Director and an Associate Director.

About the Role

Based in Manchester, these permanent opportunities will focus on the delivery of new-build residential developments and student accommodation.

The consultancy is seeking experienced project leaders who can take ownership of complex developments, build trusted client relationships and translate technical advice into clear, practical delivery plans. Residential project experience is essential, with strong preference given to candidates who have managed projects through the building safety gateway process.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead new-build residential and student accommodation projects from feasibility and planning through to construction, completion and handover.
• Take ownership of project delivery, providing clear direction and maintaining accountability for programmes, budgets, quality and risk.
• Coordinate the building safety gateway process, working with clients and specialist consultants to manage submissions, supporting information and project milestones.
• Review and coordinate recommendations from fire engineers, mechanical engineers and other technical specialists, ensuring these are translated into practical actions within the project delivery plan.
• Lead multidisciplinary consultant and contractor teams, resolving technical and delivery challenges and ensuring agreed actions are completed.
• Act as a senior point of contact for clients, providing clear advice, reliable reporting and proactive solutions.
• Develop and monitor delivery strategies, procurement plans, project programmes and budgets.
• Oversee project governance, contract administration, change control and risk management.
• Chair project meetings and maintain effective communication between clients, design teams, contractors and other stakeholders.
• Provide senior leadership and sound judgement throughout the project lifecycle, escalating issues appropriately and driving progress.

Qualifications & Professional Accreditations

• Relevant degree in Project Management, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Architecture, Building Surveying or a related discipline.
• Relevant professional accreditation or membership of RICS, APM, CIOB, ICE or an equivalent recognised professional body is highly preferred.

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience leading residential construction projects within a consultancy or client-side environment.
• Strong experience delivering new-build developments, ideally including student accommodation.
• Practical experience taking projects through the building safety gateway process is strongly preferred.
• Ability to understand specialist technical reports, coordinate expert advice and turn recommendations into clear delivery actions.
• Strong knowledge of construction delivery, procurement routes, contract administration and project governance.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and holding stakeholders accountable for agreed deliverables.
• Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to manage project costs, programmes and risks.
• Confident client relationship management and communication skills.
• A dependable, proactive approach, with the judgement and initiative to take ownership of complex projects.
• Full UK driving licence would be advantageous.

Salary & Benefits

Competitive salary, performance-related bonus and additional benefits.