Applegreen is seeking to recruit a Projects Director / Project Executive who will lead the delivery of Applegreen’s largest capital development project; the $300m Service Plaza redevelopment in New York. The candidate will be required to lead the efficient and effective delivery of the knock-down-and-rebuild of 23 of the New York State Thruway Plazas with an additional four locations undergoing major refurbishment. Ability to lead and drive momentum from a host of supporting consulting partners (architects, Engineers, Programme managers, suppliers and contractors) will be critical. As a senior member of the Group Developments Team the candidate should also significantly influence and progress the Applegreen Group Developments Team in advancing its vision and capability; “to lead in Design, Value & Efficiency in the delivery of Applegreen’s capital development projects globally”

The role is being created in a growing department within Applegreen that will spend in excess of $600m over the coming years on strategic capital projects. As such, the successful candidate will bring their own initiative to deliver the departments vision, all aligned with the wider Applegreen Vision and Core Values.
Job Title: Projects Director
Department: Operations
Position Summary:
The successful candidate must demonstrate strong commercial awareness, ability to work in a fast-paced environment, be a strong communicator and prove they have the ability to be a senior leader within the central Group Team that will deliver the regional projects at pace. The role is ideal for someone seeking to scale the organisation and grow their influence on the overall business. The successful candidate will report to the Group Design & Developments Director and while primarily based in the Applegreen US Head Office in Glen Rock, New Jersey, the role will require travel to the relevant project sites in the US in addition to those in the NY state and meeting with our project partners; Architects, Engineers, consultants and contractors. From time to time there may be a requirement for travel to varying international jurisdictions across the Applegreen estate so a full driver’s license and ability to undertake international travel are an essential requirement.
Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in quantity surveying, Building/Civil engineering, construction management or similar discipline required
• Hold a minimum of 10 years relevant experience with previous responsibility for project delivery, stakeholder management, risk management, team development and contract management.
• Vast knowledge of Microsoft Office – notably Excel and Project
• Experience in managing multiple projects at one time.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Programme / Schedule management expertise
• Commercial and contract management experience

Additional Key Skills & Attributes:

• A dynamic individual who is adaptable and can thrive in a fast paced and rapidly growing organisation.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with proven track record of performing within a high performing team,
• Ability to deliver outcomes and progress whilst balancing resources, costs, scope, risk and timescales.
• Strategic thinker who can execute directly at high quality and pace.
• Strong work ethic, self-motivated with experience delivering to deadlines.
• A highly organised individual with ability to plan and prioritise workloads effectively for maximum impact and adapt around changing priorities as required.
• Excellent drive, enthusiasm and commitment and a keen interest in developing a career in Applegreen.
• A positive attitude with an open mind to working outside of their comfort zone.
• Strong commercial acumen and a focus on delivering value and return to the business.
• Has sound judgement and objective logical decision-making skills.
• Willing to travel internationally as required and be flexible with work hours to meet the needs of this role.
• A hunger and determination to progress within the organisation and advance themselves personally.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Core responsibility is to lead the delivery of the $300m development programme.
• Contract manage the General Contractor Aecom Tishman alongside the Owners Rep; CHA, including weekly meetings, ensuring Applegreen are meeting our contractual obligations, holding all others to account for their respective obligations.
• Oversee the $65m FF&E Applegreen fit out works for the NY project lead by the Applegreen PM team – ensuring the procurement team are delivering on the required schedule in the backdrop of a difficult supply chain, compliance with MWBE and ensuring they are delivering effectively and efficiently.
• Robustly monitor and manage the project schedule with regards to 1) the GC’s performance, 2) the Procurement teams performance and 3) the FF&E team’s delivery performance all while ensuring that all key project stakeholders – particularly those internal to the business are promptly informed and consulted.
• Liaise with the Authority at weekly meetings and to represent Applegreen.
• Strong stakeholder management – Applegreen is a Retailer lead business and ensuring a balance of delivering the business needs ‘v’ what is commercially reasonable is key to successful handover to our Operations team.
• Co-ordinate with the in-house Applegreen Developments Applegreen of retail designers, quantity surveyors (cost management) and legal/contract management.
• Ensure effect and efficient delivery by all the supporting consultants, Programme Managers, Architect, Engineers, schedule consultants and legal.
• Bring a strong accountability to Quality Control and Quality Assurance across the projects
• Risk management – ensuring all aspects of the risk to the project are identified, understood (as best possible) and managed appropriately (evaluated, mitigated, monitored)
• Build strong long term open and objective relationships based with Authority representatives.
• Develop, coach and grow the team members reporting into the role to scale within the business.