Senior Project Manager, Scotland (and lead Project Manager for AECC)

Established over 125 years ago, Henry Boot PLC is a Sheffield-based group of companies, publically listed on the London stock exchange and is one of the UK’s leading property investment and development, land development and construction companies. The Group’s key resources, expertise and experience enable it to provide added value to the projects that it undertakes. It also possess a high-quality strategic land bank, substantial investment portfolio and an enviable reputation in the property development market. The Group acquires, develops, manages or sells investment properties, sources and acquires land, promotes planning consents and services constructors with plant equipment, runs its own PFI projects and refurbishes and constructs buildings.

Henry Boot PLC has a construction and development specialism in both the public and private sectors; Henry Boot Developments Limited operates across the whole UK and has offices in Glasgow, London, Manchester, Bristol and Sheffield. The business has a strong balance sheet and where possible prefers to invest its own money to fund projects. This internal funding capability gives competitive advantage when tendering for development projects as they are typically not conditional on achieving external funding as part of the deal. It also means that Henry Boot Developments Limited are happy to commit to the long-term cycle of the project; they have the vision to set long term goals which means they are not deterred by difficult projects which require unique solutions and plenty of time to mature. It is an approach which has paid dividends; allowing the business to take part in numerous innovative and high quality development and regeneration schemes, many of which they have retained for the long term. As a result of this approach, the business has been fortunate enough to form lasting relationships and a trusted brand reputation with partners within both public and private sectors.

This track record of successful partnerships with the public sector has been central to Henry Boot Developments Limited’s successful bid to deliver the new AECC at Bucksburn and to redevelop the existing AECC site at Bridge of Don for Aberdeen City Council. This is a circa £300m project to deliver the new exhibition centre and develop the surrounding site, including three hotels, office and retail space and a £50m energy centre which will provide power for the site.

The proposition at Henry Boot Developments Limited is an exciting and compelling one for a talented and ambitious Project Manager. The AECC is without doubt one of the largest and most complex development projects in Scotland of recent times. The opportunity to lead this project, as well as grow a broader remit within the Henry Boot Developments Limited Scottish business, offers potential candidates huge scope to carry out high profile work and be involved in a growing business.

The ideal candidate may have a project management background from a development business or possibly a consultancy one. The role could also however be carried out by somebody with more of a typical contractor background than a developer, as long as they have broad experience of leading construction projects of significant size and complexity. Either way, the successful candidate will be a “doer”, who has led projects of >£80m value from outset to completion. They will be capable (and willing) to “roll their sleeves up” and be involved at a detailed level in the project on a daily basis , as well as of course keeping the bigger picture firmly in view.

Excellent communication skills are essential to the success of this role. The Project Manager will be required to work with people of all levels, building relationships with contractors and sub-contractors, the Aberdeen City Council, other key stakeholders of the AECC and through to the board of Henry Boot Developments Limited and the Executive Board of Henry Boot PLC. As this person will be joining a close-knit team within the Company but will also often be working remotely and taking leadership for this highly significant project, the ability to build trust and give frank and honest appraisal as required is crucial.

Candidates must have high intellect and emotional intelligence and have the ability to think strategically as well as be on top of the detail when required.

There is a significant opportunity for the right candidate to build a career within the Henry Boot Developments Limited’s Scottish business as the Group’s aspiration for the business to grow is realised. The successful candidate will consequently have a good interpersonal fit to the existing leadership team and an aspiration to potentially to build a long-term career at Henry Boot Developments Limited; having said that, if the best candidate is only available for 3-4 years , then this may not necessarily be a problem either.

• Aberdeen