Site Manager. High-End Townhouse Refurbishment, Kensington
Sector: Exclusive Residential Location: Kensington, SW7 / W8, London Project: £3m high-end townhouse refurbishment Contract: Permanent (or freelance day-rate, open to both) Salary: £65,000 to £70,000 + package (perm) / £300 to £325 per day (freelance, outside IR35) Start: Immediate, or by mutual agreement Reports to: Project Manager / Contracts Director
The project
A complete £3m refurbishment of a high-end private townhouse in prime Kensington. Scope spans structural alterations, full M&E reinstatement, bespoke joinery, premium finishes, plant room and basement works. The client expects developer-quality delivery in a residential setting. Finish levels, security, neighbour management and programme discipline are all non-negotiable.
The role
You will run the project on-site day-to-day. You will be responsible for the safe, programmed and on-budget delivery of every package from RC frame stage or strip-out through to snag-free handover.
Key responsibilities
* Lead all on-site construction activities to programme, quality and budget.
* Manage and coordinate subcontractors, direct labour and site operatives across all packages: groundworks, M&E, dry-lining, joinery, decoration, flooring, finishes, FF&E.
* Enforce full compliance with health, safety, environmental and party-wall requirements. Manage relationships with adjoining owners and the local authority.
* Conduct daily quality inspections. Manage snagging through to client handover.
* Plan and control labour, plant, equipment and materials to meet operational and programme demands.
* Liaise directly with the client, design team, architect, structural engineer and M&E consultants. Proactively flag risks, changes and constraints.
* Produce site reports, programme updates and progress documentation for the Project Manager and Contracts Director.
* Champion high standards of site presentation. This is a residential street in central London, not a hoarded plot.
Essential experience
* Minimum 5 years as a Site Manager on Exclusive Residential or High-End Refurbishment projects.
* Demonstrable track record running projects of £2m+ in central London.
* Strong understanding of premium finishes, bespoke joinery and high-tolerance setting-out.
* Confident managing a mixed subcontract base and direct labour.
* Comfortable interfacing with private clients, architects and the design team.
Desirable
* Experience working on listed buildings or in conservation areas.
* Previous Kensington / Chelsea / Mayfair postcode delivery.
* Familiarity with party-wall awards and basement or structural underpinning works.
Required tickets and qualifications
* CSCS: Black (Manager) or Gold (Site Supervisor minimum)
* SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme), current
* First Aid at Work (3-day), current
* Fire Marshal, current
* Temporary Works Coordinator, desirable
Package (perm)
* £65,000 to £70,000 basic, DOE
* Discretionary bonus on project completion
* 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
* Vehicle allowance or car
* Mobile, laptop
* Pension