Our client, a renowned global design studio, is known for its innovative approach to architecture and design. With a team of over 200 talented professionals, they work on groundbreaking projects that transform ideas into reality.
They are now seeking a Deputy Project Manager to join their team. This person will be working alongside their design team, ensuring that projects are delivered in accordance with the agreed programme, scope and fee structure. They would expect this level role to suit an experienced Project Architect who has had exposure to Project Management duties and is looking to step fully away from day-to-day design decision making. Eligible candidates should be comfortable at understanding contractual deliverables and have an awareness of works which fall out of scope. Having led design teams and resource driven programmes, candidates must be able to generate timelines and be confident in co-ordinating with external parties.
Training and Continuing Professional Development:
This role is an entry level route into Architectural Project Management and has a clear path into a leadership role. Successful candidates are expected to engage with their own personal development and growth and should be curious to learn. With the guidance of the wider Project Management team, Deputy Project Managers can expect to support on the duties listed below until they build up the skills to work more autonomously.
The studio aims to attract and develop the best talent and create a supportive environment in which studio members can learn and develop. Training is provided to increase technical skills and to address identified professional development needs.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities:
- You generate and upkeep a clear communication plan to ensure that information/messages are delivered consistently, at the right time, and using the right channels for the duration of the project.
- You gather and meticulously file documents/information in a systematic and compliant (to internal protocol) way to ensure that the right people have the right version of a document at the right time.
- You diplomatically manage relationships and can influence decision making to best suit the overall success of the project.
- You are mindful and respectful of the studio’s values - you channel the studios values in how you conduct your day-to-day duties.
- You are self-aware of your capabilities and utilize the skills and knowledge of those around you to ensure work is executed to the highest of standards.
- You are emphatic to the reality of labour driven outputs and strike a balance between feasible workload and project financial health when deciding on resource planning.
- You are knowledgeable of the industry wide practice and can bring the best back to the Studio. You are not set in one way of working and know how to adapt, and you lead others to adapt with you.
Financial Accountability:
- You utilize the Project Management Software to monitor and maintain up to date resource, billing and expense plans - working with the Project Leader to pro-actively map out the future requirements.
- You track and monitor expenses, working with the finance team on reimbursable and billing milestones and compare overall forecast projects costs (to include labour costs) to actual costs incurred - reconciling the delta for review.
- You understand your project(s) scopes and have a process for managing the client and the team on deviations which fall outside of scope - you follow internal protocols for variation management to include the carefully timed release of contingency, seeking additional fees and/or seek internal approval on overspends.
Design Management:
- You supervise the design process and offer strategies to the project team on how best to stagger design progress to achieve successful delivery, in accordance with contractual obligations and programme.
- You identify areas of financial, design or reputational risks to the studio and maintain an active risk register which you report on - proposing solutions and opportunities on how to reduce or mitigate risk.
- You identify a leave management strategy and feed into the capacity management of the team, ensuring sufficient resource cover to achieve deadlines.
- You create, keep up to date, and monitor the detailed project timeline. You address any required changes to adapt to the project timeline and assess if changes are eligible for additional service fees.
- You monitor project deliverables and ensure that the design team delivers towards the contractual requirements – and you begin to suggest how deliverables are defined.
- You suggest a feasible project communication plan and meetings strategy as well as attending and recording all key meetings
- You obtain or create project organization chart and ensure that the design team have a clear understanding of client's and external team's structure.
Training and Continuing Professional Development:
The studio aims to attract and develop the best talent and create a supportive environment in which studio members can learn and develop. Training is provided to increase technical skills and to address identified professional development needs.