Job Introduction

As we continue our mission to make people and nature happy through chocolate, we're looking for a Construction Project Manager to join our Property & Facilities team on a permanent basis.

As a Construction Project Manager you will be responsible for the delivery of all construction projects nationwide, managing contractor tendering processes, project timelines, onsite build activities and the smooth transition of completed projects to our retail teams.

Working closely within the property team, you will oversee new construction projects from inception to handover, ensuring every site is delivered on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards. You will be a key point of contact for external contractors, consultants and H&S advisors , managing relationships and keeping clear lines of communication open throughout the build timeline.

In addition, on a day to day basis you will review project progress, tracking key milestones, conducting site visits and proactively dealing with risks and issues if they arise. You will thrive in a fast-paced environment balancing multiple projects whilst simultaneously keeping internal stakeholders engaged and updated at all times.

As well as a competitive salary and a range of company benefits, you'll receive 50% discount on all products, and a 70% discount for you and your guests when you stay at our Rabot Estate hideaway on the paradise island of Saint Lucia.

Here at Hotel Chocolat, we've adopted hybrid working. This means you'll join us on site for two days a week (dependant on project work), and for the other three days you can work from wherever you like! The on-site location for this role is our support office, 'Mint House', in Royston, Hertfordshire. Our home from the very beginning, it's just off the A505 and 10 minutes' walk from Royston train station, with direct rail links to London King's Cross.

What you'll be doing....

To deliver new store openings, refurbishments and capital projects across the UK retail estate, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, on budget and to premium brand standards. Accountable for program management, cost control and risk mitigation across multiple concurrent projects.

PEOPLE
• Lead cross-functional project teams from concept through to handover.
• Manage architects, M&E consultants, cost consultants and principal contractors.
• Partner closely with Retail Operations to ensure operational readiness at handover.
• Provide clear and structured reporting to Head of Property & Facilities.
• Build collaborative landlord and managing agent relationships.
• Influence stakeholders to balance commercial return with brand integrity.

OPERATIONS
Strategic:
• Develop robust project programs aligned to trading calendars and launch campaigns.
• Identify and mitigate program, cost and design risks early.
• Lead value engineering initiatives without compromising quality.
• Support pipeline planning and capital forecasting.

Transactional:
• Prepare and issue tender documentation and analyse contractor returns.
• Negotiate and recommend contractor appointments.
• Manage CapEx budgets, variations and payment certifications.
• Conduct regular site inspections and chair progress meetings.
• Oversee CDM compliance and ensure safe working practices.
• Manage snagging, practical completion and defect resolution.
• Maintain project trackers and reporting dashboards.

PERFORMANCE
• On-time store openings aligned to launch schedules.
• CapEx delivery within agreed tolerance.
• Minimal post-opening defects (12-month benchmark).
• Zero reportable safety incidents.
• Stakeholder satisfaction across Retail and Executive teams.

Who you are...

Essential
• Min 5 years project management within retail construction.
• Experience delivering multiple concurrent store projects.
• Strong M&E understanding and commercial cost control skills.
• Degree qualified in Construction/Project Management or equivalent.

Who are we?

We're one of the UK's favourite premium chocolate brands, with a range of products spanning luxury gifts, alcohol and our pioneering drinking chocolate system, the Velvetiser™.

A cacao pod takes years to grow - it can't be rushed if it's going to be just right for our products. The same can be said for Hotel Chocolat, which originally started as a mint production company before we realised it was luxury chocolate that we were really passionate about.

Now, we're market leaders in the industry. What began as an online-only business grew to over 140 stores across the UK, and we're still growing... Today, we're multi-category, multi-channel, and multi-territory, and our customers, colleagues, cacao farmers and suppliers all benefit from the success we make together.

To learn more about us and read about our People Pledge - our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion - click here: hotelchocolat.com/uk/engaged-ethics/our-people.html