Hotel Chocolat
Construction Retail Project Manager
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As we continue our mission to make people and nature happy through chocolate, we're looking for an experienced Retail Construction Project Manager to join our Property & Facilities team on a permanent basis.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about retail environments and understands that every successful store opening starts long before the doors open. We're looking for someone who thrives on delivering exceptional retail spaces, enjoys working closely with Retail Operations, and takes pride in creating stores that provide an outstanding customer and colleague experience.
You'll be responsible for delivering new store openings, refurbishments, and capital projects across our UK retail estate, ensuring every project is completed safely, on time, within budget, and to the premium standards our customers expect.
Working closely with our Property, Retail Operations, and Facilities teams, you'll manage projects from initial concept through to handover, ensuring our retail teams are fully prepared to open and trade successfully from day one.
As well as a competitive salary and a range of company benefits, you’ll receive 50% discount on all products, and a 70% discount for you and your guests when you stay at our Rabot Estate hideaway on the paradise island of Saint Lucia.
Here at Hotel Chocolat, we've adopted hybrid working. This means you’ll join us on site for two days a week (dependant on project work), and for the other three days you can work from wherever you like! The on-site location for this role is our support office, ‘Mint House’, in Royston, Hertfordshire. Our home from the very beginning, it’s just off the A505 and 10 minutes’ walk from Royston train station, with direct rail links to London King’s Cross.
What you'll be doing
As our Retail Construction Project Manager, you'll take ownership of multiple retail projects across the UK, balancing programme, cost, quality, and stakeholder expectations.
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People
- Lead cross-functional teams through every stage of a project, from concept to store handover.
- Build strong partnerships with Retail Operations to ensure stores are operationally ready for opening.
- Manage architects, designers, M&E consultants, contractors, and external suppliers.
- Develop positive relationships with landlords and managing agents.
- Provide regular project updates to the Head of Property & Facilities and key stakeholders.
- Influence decisions that balance commercial objectives with the Hotel Chocolat customer experience and brand standards.
Operations
Strategic
- Develop project programmes aligned with retail trading calendars and store opening plans.
- Identify project risks early and implement practical solutions.
- Drive value engineering opportunities without compromising quality or customer experience.
- Support capital planning and future retail expansion programmes.
Delivery
- Manage contractor tender processes and recommend appointments.
- Oversee CapEx budgets, project costs, variations, and payment approvals.
- Carry out regular site visits and chair progress meetings.
- Ensure CDM compliance and safe working practices throughout every project.
- Manage practical completion, snagging, and defect resolution.
- Maintain accurate project plans, trackers, and reporting.
Success looks like
- New stores opening on schedule.
- Refurbishments completed with minimal disruption to trading.
- Projects delivered within agreed budgets.
- Excellent feedback from Retail Operations and internal stakeholders.
- High-quality retail environments that reflect the Hotel Chocolat brand.
- Zero reportable health and safety incidents.
Who we're looking for
You'll be someone who genuinely enjoys working within retail and understands what makes a successful store.
You'll bring:
- At least 5 years' experience managing retail construction projects.
- Proven experience delivering multiple store openings and refurbishments simultaneously.
- A strong understanding of retail fit-outs, M&E services, and commercial cost management.
- A degree in Construction Management, Project Management, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- The ability to build trusted relationships with both operational and technical teams.
- A proactive approach with strong planning and problem-solving skills.
- A willingness to travel nationally to support projects across our retail estate.
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It would be great if you also have
- Experience working within a multi-site retail business.
- A passion for creating exceptional retail environments and customer experiences.
- Knowledge of premium retail brands or hospitality-led environments.
Who are we?
We’re one of the UK’s favourite premium chocolate brands, with a range of products spanning luxury gifts, alcohol, and our pioneering drinking chocolate system, the Velvetiser™.
A cacao pod takes years to grow – it can’t be rushed if it’s going to be just right for our products. The same can be said for Hotel Chocolat, which originally started as a mint production company before we realised it was luxury chocolate that we were really passionate about.
Now, we’re market leaders in the industry. What began as an online-only business grew to over 140 stores across the UK, and we’re still growing… Today, we’re multi-category, multi-channel, and multi-territory, and our customers, colleagues, cacao farmers, and suppliers all benefit from the success we make together.
To learn more about us and read about our People Pledge – our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion – click here: hotelchocolat.com/uk/engaged-ethics/our-people.html
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