Retail Project Manager, London

JOB TITLE Retail Project Manager

ROLE TYPE Full Time (12-month Fixed Term Contract)

DEPARTMENT Retail Planning/ Marketing

REPORTING TO Head of VM & Retail Planning

LOCATION Fitzrovia, London

SALARY Competitive

COMPANY PROFILE

Orlebar Brown (Chanel group) launched in March 2007 as a more tailored approach to men’s beach and swim shorts. Based on the traditional pattern of a tailored pair of trousers for men, and with their distinctive side fasteners, they are not just a swim short; they are the original and best shorts you can swim in.

Today, our collections are built into broader lifestyles imagined around Beach, Resort, Coast and Sport. We have multiple product releases, including capsules, new categories and services, over the calendar year to maintain excitement, and interest for our customers.

Since 2007, we have built the brand to achieve our stated purpose which is - to encourage, excite and inspire everyone to ‘Holiday Better’. This is our purpose and why we get out of bed every morning.

The brand has rapidly gained global recognition and is sold through online, more than 30 O.B. stores, and the best retailers and hoteliers in the world. Our customer is truly international, so whether they are in St Barth’s for Christmas with family, Miami for a wild Spring break, a conference in Dubai with a few days off, tacking a boat off the coast of St Tropez, volunteering to replant mangrove plantations in Puerto Rico, walking along a cliff top in Cornwall, or diving off one into a beautiful blue ocean then O.B. should be there to help you do it better.

Our business is built on relationships with those customers, and we strive to maintain our relationship with them, wherever they might be, and provide world class service, when and where they want. It is also built on finding new customers to the brand by welcoming them to join the ever-growing O.B. community.

THE POSITION

We are seeking an experienced Retail Project Manager (store construction and fit out) for a 12-month fixed-term contract, commencing immediately. We have plans to continue our physical retail expansion globally and have a range of exciting projects in international locations that vary in scale and complexity, that need to be delivered at different deadlines throughout 2026 and 2027. The projects range from new store openings to minor store refurbishment works, and we are currently working on projects in the Europe, USA, Middle East, and APAC regions.

Reporting into the Head of VM and Retail Planning, based in our head office in Central London, the role will entail:

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Timeline management: Liaise with the Orlebar Brown retail development team and external architects, general contractors, and suppliers to establish overall project timelines and update as and when required. Management of timelines to ensure projects launch in line with agreed opening dates, ensuring that Orlebar Brown/suppliers/contractors are all working to deadlines and key project milestones are being met that have been agreed with stakeholders, throughout the projects.

• Budget management: Manage allocated budget for projects, ensuring budget trackers are being kept up to date, and ensure all cost variations are justifiable and approved by senior management. Post project completion, reconcile and issue final project cost reports to Head Office.

• Supplier sourcing/management: Sourcing of suppliers for items such as furniture / flooring / lighting / signage / security, etc. Carrying out the bid process and cross-quoting / cost negotiation with vendors when necessary. Quality control of elements being supplied/produced by vendors, ensuring they are in line with the design concept and Orlebar Brown finish standards.

• Stakeholder management: Ensure that all internal and external stakeholders, including landlords and property managers or 3rd party affiliates are kept up to date with project plans and timings, and ensure that approval processes set out by stakeholders are adhered to.

• Landlord Design / Construction Manual review and implementation: Review in detail, all design and construction manuals / documents supplied by the landlord and ensure that all suppliers are aware of the relevant documentation and working to the requirements/guidelines outlined by the landlord. Collate and consolidate all required documentation from Orlebar Brown / contractors / vendors in line with pre-construction and construction processes and submission to the landlord within a defined timeline.

• Construction set management/version control: Ensure that all suppliers / stakeholders are always working to latest Orlebar Brown drawing set and issuance of updated drawing / design packs to all suppliers / stakeholders if updates occur.

• Permit process management: Manage the permitting process, when necessary, of all applications and submissions for required permits from local authorities; with the support of a permit expeditor if required. Ensure that all permit applications are submitted in a timely manner to allow enough lead time for permits to be issued in line with the overall project timeline.

• Meeting coordination: Coordinate regular meetings with Orlebar Brown retail development team / general contractors / vendors and issuing of meeting notes post meeting.

• Site visits: Attending site visits as and when required in the planning phases of projects and attending the site periodically (if feasible) once site works commence to ensure works are being carried out in line with what has been agreed with Orlebar Brown and other stakeholders.

• Project reporting : Issuance of weekly progress reports in the planning and construction stages of all projects.

• Punch/Snagging list management: Once construction is complete, issuance of punch/snag lists and a timeline for all suppliers to complete assigned items.

• Post construction document consolidation: Once construction is complete, consolidation of the following assets: Operation and Maintenance Manuals, As Built Drawings, Supplier / Contractor Lien Waivers, Cost Affidavits, and any additional documentation the landlord / Orlebar Brown team may require upon project completion.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Retail Construction Project Management experience (minimum 3 years of experience).

• Competency in reading architectural plans, schematic drawings and furniture drawings.

• Understanding of retail store mechanical, electrical, fire safety, security, and IT systems.

• Knowledge of fixture and furniture production processes.

• Established supplier list of global vendors and contractors.

• Budget management experience.

• Permit process and planning submission experience

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).

• Strong attention to detail.

• Strong communication skills – written and verbal. Additional language skills would be desirable (Spanish/French).

• Comfortable handling multiple projects and varying timelines simultaneously, with the ability to adapt to shifting parallel construction schedules.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Being part of a diverse working environment of people who we learn from every day

• The chance to train and develop your skills in a fast-working environment

• Competitive benefits package:

  • Physical wellbeing: Private medical insurance covering pre-existing medical conditions and the ability to add family members, an online GP app with 24/7 appointments, available within 24 hours, and cycle scheme participation for tax-exempt bike and/or accessories purchase.

  • Financial wellbeing: Company pension scheme.

  • Lifestyle: Orlebar Brown and CHANEL product discounts and employee-only sales.

  • Employee Recognition: Service award incentives, 1-week office closure in August to practice what we preach (paid leave and separate from 25 days annual leave plus UK public holidays).

It’s never just a job at Orlebar Brown. It’s a way of life. We live and breathe our brand values – Tailored, Vibrant and Brave. Our team define who we are and how we get the job done.

At Orlebar Brown, we are focused on creating an inclusive culture that nurtures personal growth, contributing to collective progress. We believe the uniqueness of each individual increases the diversity, complementarity and effectiveness of our teams. We strongly encourage your application, as we value the perspective, experience and potential you could bring to Orlebar Brown.

Direct applications only. Recruitment agencies – thanks for reading – but we’ve got this one covered!