Construction Project Manager I

WHO YOU ARE
• Academic degree in Engineering or equivalent practical experience.
• Several years of experience in construction project management, consulting, contracting, or owner-side project delivery.
• Experience in retail construction projects is an added advantage.
• Strong experience in procurement processes, contract negotiations, and on-site construction management.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, develop, and inspire teams to deliver high performance.
• Passionate about people, business, and IKEA's purpose, with a customer-focused and performance-driven mindset.
• Excellent communication skills in English with the ability to collaborate across diverse stakeholders.
• Preferable knowledge of Ingka construction standards, investment procedures, and project governance.
• Good understanding of business risk management and mitigation strategies.
• Strong project management skills covering project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure.
• Expertise in construction management, ensuring projects are delivered in line with Ingka standards.
• Proficient in construction software such as MS Project, AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks, Project Place, Hummingbird, and Microsoft Office.
• Strong knowledge of project budgeting, cost control, forecasting, benchmarking, and lifecycle cost optimization.
• Experience in schedule planning, timeline management, and proactive risk mitigation.
• Knowledge of construction procurement strategies and the local construction market.
• Understanding of statutory approvals, authority permissions, and regulatory compliance.
• Familiarity with local construction standards, codes, market trends, and cost drivers.
• Strong knowledge of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE), IWAY compliance, and property safety requirements.
• Experience in quality management throughout design, construction, commissioning, and warranty phases.
• Sound understanding of construction contracts, commercial management, legal issues, and claims management.
• Knowledge of sustainable construction practices, including LEED, BREEAM, and low-impact building materials.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing contracts, consultants, contractors, suppliers, payments, variations, claims, and financial reporting.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
• Lead and manage all construction activities from project initiation to completion, ensuring safe, compliant, sustainable, and innovative property solutions.
• Deliver projects that meet business requirements while optimizing lifecycle costs and customer value.
• Develop and implement construction delivery strategies, methods, and best practices aligned with Cluster and Group Real Estate frameworks.
• Collaborate closely with Procurement, Engineering, consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders to drive cost-efficient and innovative project delivery.
• Lead project planning across key areas including: Project estimation, budgeting, and cost management. Procurement strategy and contractor engagement. Contractual models, tendering, and supplier selection. Construction project execution and site management. Project scheduling, risk management, and dispute resolution. Health, Safety, Environment (HSE), and IWAY compliance.
• Secure project budgets, schedules, procurement plans, permits, and investment approvals.
• Manage detailed architectural and engineering design in accordance with Ingka standards, manuals, and guidelines.
• Provide technical, commercial, and cost input throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead collaboration between Real Estate, business functions, authorities, consultants, suppliers, and contractors.
• Ensure construction is delivered safely, on time, within budget, and to agreed quality standards.
• Oversee project cost, contracts, commercial management, and consultant performance to safeguard IKEA's interests.
• Monitor project financial performance, procurement status, contracts, risks, claims, payments, and final accounts.
• Evaluate contractor and consultant bids, recommend contract awards, and manage contract execution and renewals.
• Establish and maintain project budget control measures using IKEA cost group formats.
• Manage payment processes, variation orders, claims, and commercial negotiations in collaboration with Project Management Consultants and Cost Consultants.
• Partner with Finance, Legal, Business Risk & Compliance, and other stakeholders to ensure governance, reporting, and contractual compliance.
• Lead and develop internal project support teams while driving high performance from external consultants and contractors.
• Prepare financial and commercial reports covering expenditure forecasts, project costs, risks, claims, and final accounts.
• Resolve contractual and commercial issues through effective stakeholder management and negotiation.
• Support project governance by providing timely reporting, documentation, and updates to Project Controllers.
• Ensure successful commissioning, testing, training, and handover of completed facilities along with all required documentation.
• Support construction projects across the cluster by sharing expertise and collaborating where specialist knowledge is required.

TOGETHER AS A TEAM
Without us it would be difficult to meet our customers in person. In our team we find, develop and manage IKEA properties around the whole world. We're different from one another but we are all passionate about real estate. We challenge and inspire each other to always stay close to IKEA customers and to understand how the changes within retail effects our needs of real estate.

Studies show that members of underrepresented communities don't apply for jobs unless they're 100% qualified. If this is part of the reason you hesitate to apply, we like you to reconsider and give it a chance. Maybe your profile fits our needs much better than you think. We look forward to receiving your application.

From: Why Women Don't Apply for Jobs Unless They're 100% Qualified by Tara Sophia Mohr, August 2014'