Head Project Installations

Job description

Main Purpose/Objectives of Role: The Head of Projects is responsible for leading the Group’s project delivery function and overseeing the successful planning, coordination, execution, and commercial performance of the Group project portfolio. Acting as deputy to the Group Operations Director, the role will ensure that all projects are delivered safely, efficiently, on programme, within budget, and to the required quality and client standards. Scope covers Showcase Group Companies and other associated organisations. The role will provide leadership to the projects team, including Project Managers and administrative staff, while driving consistency, accountability, reporting, resource planning, and continuous improvement across all project delivery and installation activities. Key Duties/Responsibilities: Leadership and Team Management - Lead, manage, and develop the Group projects team, including Project Managers, Coordinators, and administrative support staff. - Act as deputy to the Group Operations Director in relation to project delivery, installation operations, and day-to-day operational decision-making. - Set clear performance expectations, priorities, and objectives for the project delivery team. - Monitor team performance, capacity, and capability to ensure the function remains effective, proactive, and commercially focused. - Provide coaching, support, and leadership to ensure high standards of communication, planning, client management, and project control. - Support the recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing development of project delivery personnel in line with business growth and operational requirements. Attend Sales Pitch Meetings and Tender Presentations Group Project Portfolio - Take overall responsibility for the successful delivery of the Group’s installation and project portfolio from mobilisation through to completion and final account support. - Responsible for setting budgets for Projects - Oversee project planning and delivery strategies to ensure all projects are appropriately resourced, sequenced, monitored, and controlled. - Ensure projects are delivered in line with agreed programmes, client expectations, contractual requirements, and internal delivery standards. - Maintain visibility of all live projects and upcoming workloads to identify risks, constraints, delays, or resource issues at the earliest opportunity. - Intervene where projects are under pressure and implement recovery plans, revised delivery strategies, or escalation measures where necessary. - Ensure robust project governance is maintained across planning, reporting, documentation, approvals, change control, and handover. Operations Planning & Delivery Control - Oversee the planning and coordination of project delivery and installation activities across the Group. - Ensure effective collaboration between the projects team, warehouse, transport, procurement, installation teams, subcontractors, and the wider operational function. - Review delivery programmes, installation methodologies, site readiness, and logistics planning to ensure projects are executable and controlled. - Ensure systems and processes are in place for project tracking, status reporting, programme monitoring, snagging management, and completion sign-off. - Support the resolution of operational issues relating to labour, product readiness, logistics, access, site constraints, and sequencing. Commercial Performance and Financial Control - Maintain oversight of project delivery budgets, cost performance, and margin protection across the Group project portfolio. - Review project cost assumptions, labour allocations, subcontractor requirements, and delivery methodologies to support commercially sound execution. - Work closely with the commercial and operational teams to manage variations, delay impacts, claims exposure, storage implications, and recovery opportunities. - Monitor actual performance against budget and forecast, identifying risks to profitability and supporting corrective action where needed. - Ensure project teams maintain appropriate financial awareness and discipline in relation to project delivery decisions. - Provide regular updates to the Group Operations Director on project performance, commercial risks, delivery efficiencies, and resource implications. Client, Stakeholder and Escalation Management - Act as a senior point of contact for project delivery matters and maintain strong working relationships with clients, consultants, contractors, suppliers, and internal stakeholders. - Attend client meetings, project reviews, mobilisation meetings, and operational planning meetings as required. - Manage escalated issues professionally and proactively, ensuring timely communication, resolution planning, and protection of client confidence. - Support the business in maintaining a strong reputation for project delivery, responsiveness, professionalism, and quality of service. - Work collaboratively with sales, estimating, procurement, warehouse, and leadership teams to ensure seamless transition from order intake to delivery and completion. Project Governance, Reporting and Controls - Ensure appropriate project reporting is in place across all live works, including programme status, delivery risks, margin concerns, resource pressures, and completion milestones. - Develop and maintain clear reporting lines, dashboards, KPIs, and management information to support informed decision-making. - Ensure project documentation is accurate, complete, and maintained in line with business and contractual requirements. - Promote disciplined project controls around instructions, variations, labour usage, subcontractor management, and site reporting. - Support the implementation and improvement of project management tools, systems, and processes across the Group. Health, Safety, Quality and Compliance - Ensure all projects are delivered in line with company health and safety standards, legal obligations, and client/site requirements. - Promote a strong health, safety, and compliance culture across the project delivery function. - Ensure suitable and sufficient risk assessments, method statements, permits, pre-start planning, and site controls are in place for project delivery activities. - Monitor health and safety performance and ensure issues are escalated and addressed promptly. - Ensure completed projects meet required quality standards, snagging processes are managed effectively, and handovers are professionally concluded. Other Duties/Responsibilities Maintain safe working practices whilst undertaking your duties at all times. Undertake any other reasonable tasks as directed by management. Work flexibly and be receptive and adaptable to a changing environment within a fast expanding Company. Location: Portsmouth Offices with Travel to other locations as required