Group Project Manager

JD Sports is a sports-fashion retail company with the incentive to inspire the emerging generation of globally minded consumers through a connection to the universal culture of sport, music, and fashion. Established in 1981, the JD Group is a leading global omnichannel retailer of Sports, Fashion, and Outdoor brands. With our retail stores expanding and evolving throughout Canada, the Group is continuously finding and developing talent that adds to the inclusive and diverse work culture. JD continuously and successfully sets the global standard for retail experience best through the unique delivery of the world’s most authentic brands to the market. Our commitment showcasing brands in a premium environment and stores remains a key part of the JD strategy.

The Opportunity

This candidate will directly contribute to the successful rollout of JD Sports stores across Canada. The role operates within the Property team and includes the coordination and strategic planning, delivery, and financial oversight of construction projects across all provinces within Canada. Working alongside the Global design team, Head of Construction, and in conjunction with both the retail, merchandising, and warehouse/logistics teams, you will ensure the highest standards of excellence in retail store delivery are achieved whilst adhering to global standards. With accountability for the day-to-day management of new store projects while working to strict deadlines, cost, and quality parameters.

Key Duties / Responsibilities:

Project Delivery:

• Deliver a programme of store build and refurbishment projects (approx. 8-10 annually) whilst simultaneously planning and scheduling future workload to build a robust pipeline of capital projects.
• Develop store construction schedules and install planners, including oversight of General Contractor and/or Site Supervisor managing in house GC programs and 3rd Party client-supplied scheduling.
• Collaborate with Global HQ design team members and local architects to ensure the Global design standards are upheld.
• Qualify and select vendors for each project relating to the overall capital investment, the GCs capability and quality standards, formulating where suitable a partnership approach within each province.
• Create work packages, including site specific notes and tender documentation.
• Review, qualify and negotiate all project related costs ensuring they are in-line with board approved budgets.
• Identify, analyse and present resolutions to the stakeholders for construction issues and/or conflicts in a timely manner.
• Review all RFIs for accuracy and process adherence.
• Travel to various project locations as required, conducting site visits to ensure the general contractors are delivering to Global standards and expectations (design, time, costs and quality of build measures).
• Continually review project processes on a regular basis to deliver best results, improving efficiency and streamlined working methodologies.
• Manage project handover and completion inclusive of undertaking internal project reviews to identify time, cost and quality efficiencies.
• Undertake GC and Sub-Contractor performance review (post-opening) to ensure the Head of Projects and the greater team are aware of project strengths and opportunities to exploit in future projects.
• Any other tasks or actions associated with the planning and delivery of capital projects within your assigned programme of works.

Cost:

• Manage individual project budgets ranging from $350k to $2m+, with an annual total spend of $7m+.
• Formulate pricing schedules and tender documents to allow each project to be tendered, including the review and analysis of returned estimates to ensure the correct GC is employed and all budgets are in-line with approved costs.
• Work with local market and Global teams to review all project and capital budgets using current and historic costs, including the management and updating of such documents for future use.
• Maintain and report on all budgeting aspects of each individual project aligning to company standards.
• Provide accurate, up-to-date cost analysis for all construction projects under your remit with regular reviews to the Head of Construction and wider stakeholders.
• Consider, negotiate and submit change orders to the Head of Projects aligning to Global standards and project budgets.
• Contribute to cost reduction methods using your construction knowledge and experience.

General:

• Set, maintain and communicate the standards of excellence and Global property requirements which deliver best in class retail stores.
• Build project teams and harness strong working relationships with both GCs and 3rd party suppliers.
• Partner with local and Global teams to create store specific programmes which define the project scope, delivery timelines and budgetary requirements.
• Monitor capital projects accurately throughout the program duration to ensure no cost creep.
• Partner with internal and external teams on the general management of projects and costs relating to General Contractors, supply chain and internal departments.
• Provide weekly reports and project recaps in line with Global requirements and best practice.
• Drive continuous improvement both with regards to store build, cost reduction and property delivery processes.
• Build solid relationships with the Property real estate team, procurement, retail and all store delivery team from inception of the project through to completion and close out.
• Participate in the department’s training requirements, educating and developing a team of project specific experts to deliver results in-line with Global standards.

Requirements:

• Full driving licence and Passport.
• Min 6+ years Project Management experience in a remodel and new store construction discipline.
• Demonstrable and proven track record of delivering roadside, shopping centre and flagship retail locations across multiple territories.
• Sound knowledge and experience of the construction and shop fit industry including various legislation processes.
• Knowledge and in-depth understanding of construction estimating.
• Ability to write, read, review, analyse and interpret construction documents from landlord specifications to design/architectural documents.
• Willingness to travel up to 40% of the time across CA and be flexible during times of change and/or when problems arise.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to analyse business/trade documents and use them in wider context of store design and project delivery.
• Able to adapt and react quickly in a rapidly changing environment.
• Able to blend priorities with deadlines and objectives.
• Strong time management skills with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously adhering to cost, budget and time parameters.
• Excellent decision maker with the ability to make tough decisions.
• Excellent communication & influencing skills; You will have the ability to communicate and influence across wide stakeholder groups at varying levels of seniority.

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