Head of Project Development Delivery - Retail Focus
Job Description
Head of Project Development Delivery - Retail Focus Contract: Permanent Location: Field-Based Recruitment Partner: [email protected] Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Boots is on the lookout for a Head of Project Delivery Development to join our dynamic Property team in Nottingham. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the delivery of construction projects across our retail estate, ensuring we continue to provide exceptional experiences for our customers. What you’ll be doing We are seeking an experienced Head of Project Development Delivery to lead the successful develop the key components of relating to delivery of construction projects across new stores, refurbishments, extensions, and fast‑track macro roll‑out programmes. This pivotal role will work alongside the Head of Projects to help successfully navigate and manage the incoming workflow, ensuring all key process are followed, internal key stakeholders are engaged and aligned enabling sign off at strategic stages of projects. The role will take accountability of analysis and streamlining of project processes to enable accelerated speed of delivery and approvals. It will also take on some responsibility for project delivery focused in the travel sector of the business and along with other elements of other major portfolio schemes. This senior role carries responsibility for team management, strategic value engineering, architectural delivery, ensuring that specifications, cost efficiency / tendering and programme schedules are optimised without compromising brand standards or operational requirements. The ideal candidate will need to be a strong leader with a deep understanding of retail construction, commercially astute decision‑making, and the ability to drive continuous improvement across project delivery. Key responsibilities Leadership & Team Management- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Project Managers and Architects
- Set performance expectations, provide coaching, and conduct regular reviews.
- Promote a culture of accountability, problem‑solving, and delivery excellence.
- Support resource planning and team allocation across multiple concurrent projects.
- Oversee full lifecycle delivery of construction projects across the retail estate.
- Ensure all programmes meet time, cost, quality, and operational requirements.
- Lead pre‑construction planning, risk management, and design coordination.
- Provide senior‑level support for complex projects, escalations, and stakeholder alignment.
- Lead value‑engineering initiatives to optimise specification, cost, and programme performance.
- Challenge and refine material specifications, construction details, and supplier choices to maximise efficiency.
- Analyse programme durations, identify bottlenecks, and drive improvements in delivery methodologies.
- Work with design, procurement, and supply chain teams to implement commercially viable alternatives without compromising brand intent or store performance.
- Work closely with Quantity Surveyors and Finance teams to define budgets, monitor spend, and deliver cost‑effective outcomes.
- Manage project changes and commercial risks, ensuring transparent reporting.
- Contribute to budget forecasting, cost‑saving strategies, and long‑term capital planning.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with principal contractors, specialist suppliers, and consultants.
- Oversee tender processes, contract negotiations, performance management, and dispute resolution.
- Ensure the supply chain delivers consistently on safety, quality, and programme expectations.
- Collaborate with internal teams including property, design, operations, merchandising, and store leadership.
- Provide clear communication on project status, risks, dependencies, and impacts.
- Ensure delivery aligns with brand standards, operational requirements, and customer experience objectives.
- Ensure all projects meet statutory requirements including CDM, H&S, building regulations, and company standards.
- Drive a culture of safety excellence across sites and internal teams.
- Oversee quality assurance processes including design reviews, site audits, and handover procedures.
- Extensive experience managing construction projects in a retail or fast‑track commercial environment.
- Proven experience leading and developing project delivery teams.
- Strong understanding of value engineering, construction specifications, and programme optimisation.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Strong commercial acumen and familiarity with contract management (e.g., JCT, NEC).
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a high‑pressure environment.
- Experience in supermarket, high‑street retail, or hospitality environments.
- Professional accreditation (e.g., MCIOB, MAPM, MRICS) or equivalent experience.
- Knowledge of sustainable construction practices.
- Experience with landlord approvals and planning processes.
- Strategic thinker with strong decision‑making capability.
- Motivational leader who inspires team performance.
- Commercially driven, solutions‑focused, and highly organised.
- Adaptable and calm under pressure with a proactive approach to problem‑solving.
- Confident, engaging communicator across all levels and disciplines.
- Boots Retirement Savings Plan (up to 12% company contribution)
- Discretionary annual bonus
- Generous employee discounts for you and a family member
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave pay
- Access to free, 24/7 counselling and support through TELUS Health, our Employee Assistance Programme.