Project Manager (Joinery Fit-Out)

Reading, Oxfordshire
Universal Business Team

PROJECT MANAGER

Bespoke Joinery & Interior Fit-Outs
Reading, Berkshire Regular Site Visits Across London & the South East
75,000 – 85,000 per annum + Car Allowance + Profit Share Bonus Scheme
Full-Time Monday-Friday

About the Company

This is an opportunity to join a well-established specialist within the bespoke joinery and interior fit-out sector, delivering high-quality, design-led environments for leading developers, contractors, architects, and fit-out specialists.

With decades of industry experience, the business has built a strong reputation for craftsmanship, reliable delivery, and a proactive, solutions-focused approach. Operating from a large-scale manufacturing facility in Berkshire, projects are managed from early design stages through to manufacture and installation across luxury residential, commercial, and amenity sectors.

Due to continued growth, the business is seeking an experienced Project Manager to join its Operations team and take ownership of high-value bespoke joinery projects from inception through to completion.

The Role

This is a fast-paced, hands-on position for a commercially aware Project Manager with experience in bespoke joinery or high-end interior fit-out environments. You will oversee the full lifecycle of projects from contract handover through to final account, ensuring delivery on programme, within budget, and to a consistently high standard.

The successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining commercial control across projects, ensuring robust contract awareness, structured change control, accurate reporting, and protection of the company’s commercial position throughout delivery.

You will also be responsible for driving process discipline across projects, ensuring established operational procedures are followed consistently while contributing to process development and continuous improvement where required.

Working closely with clients, consultants, site teams, and internal departments, you will act as the central point of coordination throughout delivery, managing programme, commercial performance, design coordination, and installation activities within a structured and KPI-driven operational environment.

Key Responsibilities

Project Delivery & Operational Management

• Manage projects from contract handover through to final account
• Develop, maintain, and own detailed project programmes, ensuring key milestones are achieved
• Coordinate design, procurement, production, and installation teams throughout all project phases
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the required quality standards
• Carry out regular site visits during installation phases
• Maintain strong process ownership across all project activities
• Support process development and continuous improvement initiatives where required
• Ensure internal procedures and project controls are followed consistently

Commercial Management & Financial Control

• Maintain strong contract awareness throughout project delivery
• Manage project budgets and monitor cost-to-complete performance
• Implement and manage structured change control processes
• Control, track, and recover project variations effectively
• Protect the company’s commercial position and project margins throughout delivery
• Prepare and contribute to weekly and monthly financial reporting
• Produce accurate forecasting and commercial updates for senior management
• Identify, manage, and escalate commercial and operational risks at an early stage
• Support valuations, final accounts, and commercial reconciliation activities

Design Coordination & Management

• Own and manage the project design programme
• Chair design meetings with client teams and consultants
• Coordinate and manage internal design teams to ensure deliverables are achieved on programme
• Hold internal and external stakeholders accountable for design actions and deadlines
• Ensure design information is issued, reviewed, and managed effectively throughout the project lifecycle

Installation & Subcontractor Management

• Manage subcontract installation teams on site
• Coordinate site logistics, deliveries, sequencing, and installation activities
• Monitor installation progress, workmanship, and quality compliance
• Review subcontractor applications and invoices against completed works
• Ensure installation activities align with programme and commercial objectives

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary point of contact throughout project delivery
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors, consultants, and stakeholders
• Provide clear, consistent, and professional communication throughout all project stages
• Chair project meetings and provide progress updates to clients and senior management
• Resolve issues promptly while maintaining strong client relationships and commercial outcomes

Reporting & KPI Accountability

The business operates within a structured and performance-driven environment where project metrics are consistently monitored and reviewed. The successful candidate will be accountable for maintaining and reporting against key project KPIs, including:

• Margin performance versus budget
• Forecast accuracy
• Variation recovery rates
• Client satisfaction and project delivery standards

Requirements

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a Project Management role
• Background in bespoke joinery, interior fit-out, construction, or specialist subcontracting
• Strong commercial awareness with proven financial accountability experience
• Strong understanding of contract administration, change control, programme management, cost control, and commercial reporting
• Experience managing project financials, forecasting, and reporting processes
• Experience chairing meetings and coordinating multidisciplinary teams
• Strong understanding of design coordination within construction or fit-out projects
• Experience managing subcontractors and site installations
• Excellent communication and client-facing skills
• Ability to work under pressure and solve problems effectively
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail and process discipline

Desirable Experience

• Hands-on joinery or carpentry background
• Experience in luxury residential or high-end commercial interiors
• Knowledge of JCT or NEC contracts
• Experience using project management software (e.g. Wrike)
• Familiarity with Sage or similar systems

Benefits

• 75,000 – 85,000 per annum (depending on experience)
• Car allowance
• Profit share bonus scheme
• Optional company car salary sacrifice scheme
• Long-term career progression opportunities

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to join a growing, quality-driven organisation delivering premium, design-led projects across some of the UK’s most prestigious developments.

You will be part of a supportive and collaborative environment with genuine long-term progression opportunities, working on complex and high-value projects where commercial performance, process discipline, quality, and delivery are central to success.

IND25