Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Contract: Permanent
Language: Fluent Dutch & English
Reporting into: Director
The Role
We are looking for an experienced Head of Projects to lead the delivery of a portfolio of construction, fit-out, refurbishment and workplace projects for key clients in the Netherlands.
This is a senior leadership role combining project delivery, client management, team leadership and business development. You will provide strategic oversight across the project portfolio while remaining close enough to delivery to ensure projects are executed safely, commercially and to the highest standards.
Projects can range in value, with individual projects of up to €20M, covering the full project lifecycle from initial brief and design through procurement, construction, commissioning and handover.
You will act as a senior point of contact for the client, lead and develop the project team, manage key stakeholders and ensure the portfolio is delivered against agreed scope, budget, programme, quality and commercial objectives.
What you’ll be doing
Project & Portfolio Leadership
* Provide overall leadership and governance across the client’s project portfolio.
* Lead projects from initiation through design, procurement, construction, commissioning and final handover.
* Oversee multiple projects, ensuring they are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to the required quality.
* Establish project execution plans, delivery strategies, programmes, budgets and risk registers.
* Maintain clear visibility of portfolio performance, including milestones, risks, actions, financials and key dates.
* Provide regular reporting, dashboards and updates to senior stakeholders.
* Proactively identify project risks, constraints and opportunities and ensure appropriate mitigation is in place.
Client & Stakeholder Management
* Act as a senior point of contact for the client and key stakeholders.
* Build strong, trusted relationships with client representatives and project stakeholders.
* Lead project governance, progress meetings, workshops and decision-making forums.
* Coordinate consultants, contractors, suppliers, landlords, facilities teams and other delivery partners.
* Provide clear advice and challenge to ensure the client’s objectives are achieved.
Commercial & Project Delivery
* Take responsibility for project financial performance, including budgets, forecasting, cost control, change management and final account.
* Lead procurement activities including tendering, contractor selection, bid evaluation, negotiations and contract administration.
* Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with contractual, statutory, technical and QHSE requirements.
* Oversee construction and project delivery activities, ensuring quality and compliance.
* Support pre-construction activities including constructability reviews, risk assessments, sequencing and mitigation planning.
* Ensure contractual commitments are understood, managed and delivered.
Leadership & Team Development
* Lead, develop and support the project management team.
* Ensure the team has the right capability, competence and resources to deliver current and future projects.
* Recruit and retain high-performing project talent.
* Provide leadership, mentoring and direction to project managers and project support teams.
* Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety and continuous improvement.
Business Development
* Develop and maintain strong client relationships to identify future project opportunities.
* Build and manage a pipeline of opportunities within the account and wider business.
* Identify opportunities to expand our services and generate new revenue.
* Lead bids, tenders and proposals, working with the wider business to develop compelling client solutions.
* Represent the business in client meetings, presentations and consultations.
* Identify opportunities for innovation, improved ways of working and new technologies.
What we’re looking for
* Significant experience leading construction, fit-out, refurbishment, workplace or commercial property projects.
* Proven experience managing multiple projects or a project portfolio.
* Strong understanding of the full project lifecycle, from brief through to handover.
* Experience managing projects up to and/or above €20M.
* Strong commercial awareness, including budgeting, forecasting, procurement and contract management.
* Proven experience managing and developing project teams.
* Excellent client and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to operate at senior level.
* Strong understanding of risk, programme and project governance.
* Experience working with contractors, consultants and other project delivery partners.
* A track record of developing client relationships and identifying business opportunities.