SDVM Project Manager (12 month FTC)

Elemis; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading beauty brand is seeking a SDVM Project Manager for a 12-month contract in London. The role involves managing global project delivery for retail and spa environments, ensuring adherence to brand standards and budget. A candidate with a degree in Architecture and 5+ years in project management within luxury beauty is preferred. The position offers a hybrid work model and a range of staff benefits including discounts on products and a generous holiday allowance.

Benefits

Generous Staff Discount

Healthcare Cash Plan

Company Pension Scheme

Generous Holiday Allowance

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in project management, ideally within luxury or premium beauty and skincare.
• Solid understanding of retail environments, consumer journeys, and the nuances of beauty and skincare merchandising.
• Experience managing production, manufacturing processes, and vendor coordination.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end delivery of global retail and spa projects.
• Create, own, and manage detailed CPAs for refits and new openings.
• Lead the project delivery process ensuring it meets brand standards.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

SDVM Project Manager (12 month FTC)

Department: Visual Merchandising and Store Design

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: Head Office, London

Reporting To: Ruhi Patel

Description

Elemis are looking for a SDVM Project Manager on an initial 12 Month Fixed Term contract. Reporting to the Senior SDVM Project Manager will play a pivotal role in supporting the Store Design & Visual Merchandising (SDVM) team, leading and managing the end-to-end delivery of global retail, spa, and specialty environment projects.

The SDVM Project Manager will ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with brand standards, sustainability commitments, and strategic priorities.

This position will suit someone with a strong background in architecture, store design, visual merchandising, and knowledge of the beauty & skincare retail landscape.

This is a full time position, 37.5 hours per week, based in our Baker Street (London) offices. We operate a hybrid working policy (three days in office and two days working from home) with flexible working hours.

Key Responsibilities

• Create, own, and manage detailed CPAs for refits and new openings, ensuring timelines are realistic, projects remain on track, and risks are escalated and mitigated effectively.
• Lead the project delivery process to a high standard following regional and retailers guidelines that balance critical Path with sustainability commitments.
• Serve as the main point of contact for Retailers, shopfitters, specialist contractors for internal & regional teams coordinating swift responses and ensuring timely feedback from relevant team members.
• Manage capital projects end to end, from design proposals through regional feedback and approvals, capturing retailer input accurately while balancing brand equity with commercial considerations.
• Maintain organised documentation and folder structure including design packs, schematics, and technical files to support future use and easy guidance for future visibility and ensure consistency across all projects.
• Drive best practices and ways of working that enable efficient collaboration across all internal and external teams, including department stores, SMC, FSS, SPAs, and cruises.
• Oversee project request form store design, ensuring they are fully completed with necessary cross-functional information before project initiation.
• Build and maintain strong Retailer and supplier partnerships that align with sustainability goals, securing best-in-class quality and value through tenders and negotiations.
• Own and manage the global & Capex budget, tracking accurate spend, recording savings, flagging overspend, and negotiating the right balance between cost and quality.
• Manage global SDVM production forecasting, including tender processes, vendor capacity assessments, production scheduling, prototypes and samples, volume planning, cost management, and delivery coordination with selected suppliers, ensuring on-time execution for all global rollouts.
• On board new suppliers, raise PO and ensure all invoices are paid on time for our appointed vendors.
• Attend site visits and factory dry builds, conducting snagging inspections, final site sign-offs, and project handovers following installation completion. The role requires flexibility with travel.
• Any matters requiring retailer or supplier escalation must be addressed promptly to ensure timely resolution of all outstanding works.
• You will have a strong eye for detail and a proactive, solutions-focused mindset, able to resolve issues quickly as they arise. You must be numerate and able to communicate clearly and confidently with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Able to produce and review technical drawings, with a solid understanding of health and safety requirements and risk management for FSS and retail environments. You should be confident using design terminology and able to propose practical solutions when concerns or challenges arise.
• You are punctual, reliable, and able to confidently lead both internal and external meetings. You value teamwork and proactively support colleagues whenever needed.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in project management, ideally within luxury or premium beauty and skincare.
• Solid understanding of retail environments, consumer journeys, and the nuances of beauty and skincare merchandising.
• Experience managing production, manufacturing processes, and vendor coordination within an FMCG or retail design context.

Technical Skills

• Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, and AutoCAD (or equivalent design software).
• Strong understanding of technical drawing reviews, construction details, and shopfitting processes.
• Awareness of new sustainable materials, innovations, and digital solutions in retail design.

Soft Skills & Competencies

• Highly organized with excellent multitasking and time-management abilities.
• Strong communicator able to manage diverse stakeholders and clearly articulate requirements.
• A collaborative team player who thrives in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
• Detail-driven with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to anticipate and mitigate project risks.
• Ability to support the Senior SDVM Project Manager and ensure timely, high-quality project delivery.

Job Benefits

• Generous Staff Discount on all your favourite ELEMIS products and spa treatments, as well as discounts on L'OCCITANE Group products (including L'Occitane, Erborian and more)
• Excellent well-being policies including enhanced Maternity & Paternity policies, Income Protection, Life Assurance and more
• Generous Holiday Allowance, increasing with length of service
• Company Pension Scheme
• Healthcare Cash Plan (with Dental)
• Employee Assistance Programme for all Associates and their families
• Cycle to Work Scheme, Season Ticket Loan, Length of Service Awards
• Much, much more!

*Some benefit eligibility is based on length of service or contract type