Project Manager, Expo

Project Manager

The Company

We are Lowe, a globally recognized brand for innovation, ambition and high quality.

Lowe Rental is the world’s leading refrigeration and catering equipment supplier to major food exhibitions, sporting events and retailers across the globe; from the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix to Glastonbury, we provide high quality rental solutions to help our clients entertain and delight their customers.

Job Overview

As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing and executing high-impact projects, primarily within the Exhibition sector and providing support to the events and retail sectors as required. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including transport, warehouse and sales to ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget. Your role will involve strategic planning, risk management, stakeholder communication, and performance monitoring to ensure project success and alignment with our business objectives. You will lead on major exhibition projects to include planning, communication, budget management, quality and on site delivery. You will also support with the planning, communication, budget management, quality and delivery of key events projects and have the opportunity to lead on other major global initiatives as and when opportunities arise and capacity allows.

This is a hands on role with UK, European and some travel further afield. The role will likely be 60/40 split between office and travel. Time away from home could be up to a month at a time.

• This is both an internal and external role.
  • Internally the candidate will be working with other departments including Sales, Design, Warehouse, Asset Management, Transport, Technical Support in the preparation of project delivery plans.
  • Externally the role will include the site delivery and management of refrigeration and foodservice installations. This will be a hands on roll and there would be an expectation for you as part of the team attend major exhibitions and events and provide support and leadership to both internal teams and third party resource.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for leading and delivering major on time and within the agreed budget. 
• Support other colleagues with the planning and delivery of other key strategic projects including exhibitions, events and retail projects.
• Provide remote project management to smaller exhibitions and support with the flow of information between Project Management / Operations and Sales.
• Lead by example and support other more junior members of the team.
• Provide oversight of company and sub-contract teams in order to facilitate the successful completion of projects on time and in budget.
• Manage quality issues to ensure that the standards specified by the client are met.
• Communicate with other project team members and clients to ensure successful implementation.

• Provide daily onsite progress briefings and report back to daily operational meetings whilst out on site.
• Responsible for planning, budget, risk management, change management, key stakeholder engagement, planning and management.
• Performance Monitoring: Track project performance using appropriate tools and techniques, providing regular updates and reports to senior management.
• Continuous Improvement: Implement best practices in project management, continuously seeking ways to improve project processes and outcomes.
• Work tightly within the client contract and ensure that all contractors have clear scopes of work. Ensure that any changes or delays by the client are communicated internally and externally.
• When on site, be able manage the team at point of install, phasing and troubleshooting.

Health and Safety

• Ensure that all HASAW requirements are met and that the company’s HASAW policy is followed.
• To always carry out tasks in accordance with any documented risk assessment and safe working practice.
• Ensure that all personnel attending site on behalf of the business sign and understand the method statement.
• Ensure that daily signing in sheets are completed by all personnel and contractors.
• To set a high standard of personal appearance in all aspects of any project team, to include
  • Care and use of clothing.
  • Respect, cleanliness and care for company and the client’s company property and vehicles
  • Maintain a clean and tidy site

Technical Qualifications & Required Experience

• Significant experience as a Project Manager, with full end-to-end project management oversight is essential. Knowledge of the UK Event Industry or Exhibition Sector desirable but not essential.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering large-scale projects on time and within budget to include project planning, risk management, employee / contractor briefings, problem solving, strategic thinking and planning.
• Previous experience of leadership, leading varied teams to successfully complete projects on time and within budget.
• Good computer skills required for communication with office, clients, contractors and suppliers including Word, Outlook, Teams and Excel, PowerPoint.
• Project management knowledge and understanding.
• PRINCE 2 qualification advantageous.

Personal Attributes

• “Hands on”, can do attitude, resourceful.
• Good communicator at all levels – thinks up, down and across.  Clear communicator with client and key stakeholders across the business.
• Demonstrates calm under pressure.
• Focuses on financial as well as operational performance, uses resources carefully, thinks about how to get more for less.
• Takes a methodical and structured approach and makes decisions logically.
• Leads by example.
• Motivated by working as a close team to deliver first class results.
• Thinks commercially to get best value for money.
• Works in a tidy, organised way, never leaves things to the last minute, prioritises their work activities, tackles tasks systematically, is always prepared, plans how to meet deadlines.
• Builds and maintains strong working relationships with third party contractors and colleagues.
• Understands customer requirements and delivers excellent customer service and outcomes.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Keen to learn, self starter.
• Able to juggle multiple projects at once to a great level of detail.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate at all levels of the organization.  Able to communicate with clients and contractors in writing in a manner that supports Lowe’s commercial position. 
• Must be eligible to gain CRB/DBS (Criminal Record Background/Disclosure Barring Service) clearance.

Exceptional candidates who do not meet these criteria may be considered for the role provided they have the necessary skills and experience.

Lowe is an equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse workforce. We are incredibly selective in our hiring and shortlisting for this vacancy will be completed on the basis of merit. Candidates should tailor their CVs to reflect our essential criteria.