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