Job Description

Who are we

At Knight Frank, we work responsibly in partnership to enhance people's lives and environments. Founded in 1896 and headquartered in London, UK, Knight Frank is one of the world's leading independent real estate consultancies. After 128 years we are now located in over 50 Territories, 740+ Offices, 27,000+ People, with 1 Global Network.


At the heart of all we do are our Clients. A relationship built on trust is vital. As trusted partners in property, we act with integrity and care, understanding our clients' unique needs and consistently thinking about the bigger picture to provide personalised, clear and considered advice across all areas of property. Through our deep understanding of key markets and sectors - both emerging and established - we are dedicated to meeting and exceeding their property goals.


A true partnership is a balanced one, and our People are passionate about, and committed to, making our business inclusive and diverse. We give every individual the space and opportunity to perform at their best and be recognised for the immense value they bring. We empower everyone to have autonomy in their role and encourage them to use their voice in how we can make a positive impact as a firm and shape the future of real estate, the built environment and the impact on the communities we serve. Our collaborative and engaged teams provide excellent and dedicated client service. In our workplace, opinions are respected, everyone is invited to contribute to the success of our business and innovation, and new ideas are celebrated.


In 2021 we celebrated our 125th anniversary and set out Our Desired Future, cemented in three pillars: People Potential, Client Centricity and always Creating our Future, together.

About The Role

Client-Side Project Director

Knight Frank Global HQ Relocation


We seek an experienced client-side project director to manage the upcoming move to our new Global HQ at One Liverpool Street. You will be the critical link between our organisation and the project team throughout this significant transition.


You will oversee the entire relocation process from planning to completion. You will ensure the project meets quality expectations, stays within budget, and follows an agreed timeline, whilst allowing our internal facilities team to maintain day-to-day operations at our current location.


You will have a proven track record in managing complex office relocations, an ability to handle substantial workload and multiple priorities and to bring various perspectives to help optimise relocation strategies and solutions.


Your expertise will transform this major corporate milestone into a seamless transition, minimising disruption while maximizing efficiency as we move into our new headquarters.


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Who we are

At Knight Frank, we believe that property is personal. We're a collaborative partnership with over 125 years of experience leading the property industry and 740 offices in more than 50 international territories.

From luxurious residential developments to iconic skyscrapers, prestigious landmarks to historical rural estates, we're operating at the top of our field, influencing the fabric of communities and shaping the skylines of tomorrow.

What the role will entail

The client-side project director will be responsible for the following key aspects of the project:

Assisting with defining the project scope

- Collaborating with the project manager, project team, and key stakeholders to define the project scope. This will involve identifying what the key deliverables are, what resources are needed, and agreeing what success looks like including the definition of the project goals and objectives.

Coordinating with a variety of project stakeholders

- The project director will liaise with the project's vendors, contractors, and particularly the internal team members to ensure that everyone is working together effectively. This will involve chairing regular working group meetings, assigning tasks, monitoring progress and keeping stakeholders accountable.

Managing project timelines and budgets

- The project director will work with the project management team to ensure that the project stays on track and within budget by overseeing the creation and maintenance of a project plan, monitoring its progress against milestones, considering adjustments to the plan as needed, and addressing unforeseen issues.

Ensuring quality control and adherence to project specifications -

As the project progresses, the project director will need to work with the project team to ensure work meets the necessary quality standards and adheres to the project brief and specifications. The project director will also be responsible for ensuring that those responsible for monitoring the work being undertaken fulfil their duties and ensure that issues are addressed promptly to ensure that the project remains on schedule. The project director will also have an opinion and express it to the project manager/Steering Group should they consider any issues not to their or the expected standards.

Communicating with stakeholders and providing progress updates

- The project director will play a key role in communicating with all stakeholders (both internal and external) as well as providing regular progress updates to the Steering Committee. This may involve creating and distributing status reports, chairing meetings with stakeholders, and providing regular updates via email or other communication channels (e.g. the client intranet).

Promoting Success

- Provide a positive, inclusive and encouraging environment amongst all the teams involved in the project to ensure collaboration and a successful project outcome.

Client-Side Project Director's

Operational Tasks

In addition to the above strategic responsibilities, we envisage the client-side project director undertaking / overseeing a variety of internal and external facing operational tasks in support of the office fit out and relocation. Full details of the operational tasks and responsibilities will be agreed with the successful candidate as part of preparing the detailed scope, but they are likely to include some or all the following:

Project Management Oversight

Work closely with the project management team to ensure the project remains within budget and meets our requirements while providing timely decisions to avoid unnecessary costs and maintain schedule. Focus on achieving good value for money and quality outcomes throughout the process, while confirming that we fulfil all statutory obligations and that necessary permissions are proactively obtained. Ensure comprehensive documentation for future audit and reference, and verify all tender exercises follow our procurement procedures and industry best practices. Maintain and actively manage a risk register, promptly escalating identified risks to the client project sponsor, and review the regularly updated project plan during weekly project meetings.

Internal Communications

In conjunction with our Marketing & Communications team, create and maintain an internal communications plan which provides regular and appropriate information relating to the progress of the project the internal stakeholders and wider business.

Staff Interaction

Establish suitable feedback mechanisms to allow staff to engage with the project team and vice versa.

Detailed Floor Layouts

Work with us and the project architect to develop detailed floor plans for the new office based on consultations with senior management and heads of department. This process will continue throughout the project, however, adherence to key milestones set by the project programme to align with design, tender, construction and relocation will be critical.

Change Management

In conjunction with our People and Marketing & Communications teams, create a network of internal change champions (ideally one per business area) who can act as the primary interface between the project team and our business units (BU). Change champions can also be employed as move coordinators for their BU during the office relocation process.

Set up the internal change project team, preparing agendas, timelines etc for team meetings. Oversee the production of the change management strategy in conjunction with any external parties which meets our needs. Work with the change project team to review progress and advise on next steps.

Catering Strategy & Implementation

Develop and seek our approval for a catering strategy for the new building, informed by staff feedback/a catering working group as necessary. Thereafter tender the catering contract once the level of service offering has been agreed.

Internal Working Groups

Establish and lead as appropriate, specific working groups that operate in support of the main project effort.

User Handbook / Relocation Pack

In conjunction with our Marketing & Communications team, create a new building user handbook / relocation pack which documents how the new office will operate and all relevant information for the new area. Work with the project team, change team and FM team to ensure that any user training requirements are identified and actioned.

Review the FM Service Delivery Model

Working closely with our FM team, review the current FM service delivery model, having regard to the operating environment of the new building, best working practices and our objectives from a client experience perspective. The output from such a review may result in the re-tendering of a selection of FM service contracts including:

Cleaning

Catering

Front of house and switchboard services

Security

M & E maintenance

ESG Strategy & Commitments

Working with our Corporate ESG team, the client-side project director will assist in ensuring that the new building is aligned with our Corporate ESG Strategy and contributes to our ESG commitments.

Health & Safety

Working with our H&S team and the new building's management team, devise new H&S and emergency procedures for the new office.

Furniture Audit

Assessing our current furniture/assets for their suitability for use in the new building and coordinating the disposal of redundant office furniture.

Updating BCP

In conjunction with the relevant parties, ensure our BCP arrangements are updated to reflect the new premises and location.

Disposal of Legacy Properties

Oversee the disposal of legacy properties and their contents.

Corporate Art

In conjunction with the Steering Group, organise the distribution of corporate art within the new building.

Relocation Plan

In conjunction with the Steering Group, establish an internal Relocation/Move Working Party, as well as appoint an external relocation consultant to oversee, plan and communicate the move plan to staff in a timely and informative fashion. This particular task could also include the project director working with our procurement team to seek bids for the office move contract.

Reporting

Produce regular and ad hoc reports as required by senior management.

Oversight

Overseeing compliance with landlord obligations from an operational / corporate level and ensuring the Project Manager covers matters relating to landlord obligation for the fitting out.

Communications

Provide continuity of information both within and outside the project team and chair weekly project team meetings. In conjunction with our Marketing & Communications team, devise a communications programme that keeps our customers and contractors up to date with our relocation plans, along with the timely distribution of our new contact details.

What experience your will need

A proven track record of delivering projects on time and within budget plus extensive experience managing large-scale corporate relocations and fit-out projects.

You must possess exceptional leadership abilities demonstrating skill in coordinating diverse stakeholders and building collaborative positive team environments.

Strong communication skills for managing internal and external relationships, creating effective communication plans, and providing regular updates to all parties.

Practical knowledge of change management principles, facility management operations, and procurement processes, including experience negotiating service contracts.

Methodical approach to project documentation and risk management, with the ability to create and maintain comprehensive project plans.

Experience with space planning, sustainability initiatives, and health and safety compliance in corporate environments will be highly valued.

The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker capable of identifying opportunities for operational efficiencies while ensuring quality outcomes throughout the relocation process.

Competitive salary

Please note: this is a Direct Search led by Knight Frank. Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs, even if provided by PSL agencies.