Associate Director - Project Management (Industrial Development)

Cobalt is working with an established industrial and logistics property owner and developer to appoint an Associate Director-level Project Manager on an initial 12-month fixed-term contract.

With a substantial portfolio across London and the Thames Valley, the business develops and manages industrial space for a range of occupiers, including major international customers. Its development activity is particularly focused on urban logistics and light-industrial schemes, with a growing pipeline of projects.

You'll join a collaborative team responsible for new-build development, working alongside colleagues across refurbishment and property management. The business offers a supportive working environment, modern offices and opportunities to broaden your experience across different aspects of the portfolio.

Benefits include:

• Salary of £80,000-£90,000, with some flexibility depending on experience.
• Car benefit or allowance.
• Employer pension contributions matching double your contribution, up to 12%.
• £500 annual wellness grant.
• Training and professional development opportunities.
• Hybrid working, with three days per week across office and site.

The Role/Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Technical Development, you'll take responsibility for managing industrial development projects across pre-construction and delivery, acting as the client-side decision-maker and overseeing external project teams.

Initially, your focus will be on progressing several schemes through their early stages, including demolition, infrastructure upgrades, power reinforcement and design coordination. You'll also work on pre-let developments, engaging directly with prospective occupiers to ensure their operational requirements are reflected in the design and delivery process.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing light-industrial and logistics developments from feasibility and planning through to construction and occupation.
• Appointing and overseeing external project managers, designers, consultants and contractors, including tendering and procurement.
• Managing client-side decisions, financial approvals, budgets, capex reporting and project risks.
• Overseeing enabling works, demolition, site remediation, power infrastructure and associated utilities.
• Coordinating design teams to meet project specifications, sustainability objectives and planning requirements.
• Managing design and construction variations, including change control procedures and specification records.
• Engaging with prospective tenants and customers, providing technical advice and incorporating their requirements into project delivery.
• Supporting Development Managers with project briefs, viability assessments, appraisals and Board papers.
• Liaising with regional development teams and senior management to support project delivery across the wider portfolio.

You'll have considerable autonomy in managing your projects, with exposure to senior decision-makers and major occupiers. While the immediate priority is the existing development workload, there may also be opportunities to gain experience across refurbishment and wider property activities.

The Skills Needed/Requirements

We're looking for an experienced industrial development professional who is comfortable taking ownership of projects from the client side, balancing commercial considerations with technical delivery.

You'll need:

• Substantial experience managing industrial or logistics development projects, ideally at Associate Director level or equivalent.
• Knowledge of Construction (Design and Management) Regulations and associated health and safety responsibilities.
• Experience of sites requiring remediation and familiarity with Greater London planning requirements.
• A relevant degree or construction-related professional qualification, proficiency in Microsoft Excel and a full driving licence.

Experience of power reinforcement, utility infrastructure or working with independent distribution network operators (IDNOs) would be particularly advantageous, as would exposure to urban logistics or light-industrial schemes.

Additional experience with development appraisals, Agreements to Lease or MS Project would also be beneficial. Professional accreditation through RICS or a relevant project management institute is desirable.

This would suit someone who enjoys the commercial and technical aspects of development management and is comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy.

The initial contract is expected to run for 12 months, with an anticipated start as soon as possible. There may be potential for a permanent opportunity depending on future business requirements, although this cannot be guaranteed.

Applications are being reviewed on an ongoing basis, with interviews expected to progress as suitable candidates are identified. If you're interested in discussing the opportunity, we encourage you to apply promptly or contact Cobalt for a confidential conversation.

Due to the volume of applications received, if you don't hear back from us, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

If you require any adjustments or additional support during the recruitment process for any reason whatsoever, please let your Cobalt consultant, Adaora, know.