URBN Store Planning Manager

About Us

URBN UK Limited is part of the URBN Group, a global retailer, with its European Head Office located in London. Its retail offering in Europe takes the form of three brands.

With stores in more than 10 European countries and a strong e-commerce presence, we’re driven by the same core values as our customers, and we approach our work with a sense of community and purpose that sets our brands apart. We love what we do.

Role Summary

This individual will support the URBN Development Department, focusing on new store project management from predevelopment and construction, along with existing store remodels/relocations, and capital projects. This position will report to the Executive Director, Global Predevelopment, with a dotted line report to the URBN COO International. The position will interact with all levels of the Planning and Development Department and UKEU Shared and Brand stakeholders.

What You'll Be Doing

Predevelopment and Programming:

• Partnering on costs and construction timing associated with new projects, to develop a feasible strategy and project program.
• Assist in the creation of project timelines, including possession dates, turnover dates, and construction duration, to ensure smooth project delivery.
• Participate in site and feasibility visits to evaluate locations, develop adaptive reuse strategies, and identify brand-appropriate opportunities.
• Support in developing the landlord delivery specification, overall project timeline, and conceptual capital expenditure (capex) targets.
• Support the generation of conceptual proforma budgets and determine acceptable tenant allowances for proposed landlord works.
• Work alongside Legal and external brokers to review and provide feedback on Heads of Terms /Letters of Intent, landlord delivery specifications, and lease exhibits.
• Assist in developing contractor and subcontractor allocations to ensure high-quality construction and service, while exploring cost-saving opportunities.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with architects, contractors, and vendors to ensure high quality and service, in collaboration with the senior URBN Development team.

Design and Planning:

• Actively participate in Design Review Meetings (DRM) for all projects, providing feedback on design deliverables.
• Identify potential cost savings, challenges, and opportunities for value engineering, while ensuring the project design remains intact.
• Review bid drawings prior to release to minimize errors and omissions, promote clarity in documentation, and ensure best practices are applied in construction details to avoid cost overruns.

Construction Development:

• Manage UKEU construction projects alongside the Director of UKEU Construction, including new store builds and special projects.
• Support the UKEU Facilities team with maintenance special projects, developing budgets and schedules as needed.
• Collaborate with the General Contractor and Purchasing Department to create Tenant-supplied Materials delivery schedules.
• Lead the bid process, ensuring compliance with SARBOX/CCCG requirements and optimizing the bid package for review with senior leadership.
• Coordinate and lead pre-construction on-site meetings with General contractor and subcontractors to clarify work scope and prepare for bidding.
• Evaluate contractor bids, IT, Loss Prevention, Display Operations, and TSM costs, reconciling them against approved budgets. If costs exceed the approved budget, develop cost-saving alternatives.
• Coordinate and lead on-site meetings with the Landlord to ensure proper acceptance or rejection of premises handover based on lease requirements.
• Manage construction progress, conducting regular site visits to assess construction progress and quality, addressing any issues promptly whilst ensuring timely project updates and adherence to quality standards.
• Ensure contractors obtain all necessary work permits and approvals before construction begins.
• Manage Change Order requests, monitor project budget variances, and provide regular updates to leadership.
• Oversee the project punch-list process, ensuring all incomplete or defective works are addressed before project handover.
• Support the Brand team in coordinating a timely and clean store opening, ensuring smooth delivery and setup.
• Compile the project close-out package with the General Contractor, ensuring all necessary documentation is provided, including as-built drawings, project lien waivers, and payment closeouts.

What You'll Need

• Experience in retail construction management, with substantial project roll-out capacity in the UK and Europe.
• Understanding of architectural project management, construction means and methods, and ability to assemble details, drawings, and program as necessary.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Must be able to work independently, multi-task and possess a strong attention to detail while understanding the “big picture” company goals.
• Strong project and time management skills.
• Moderate-high travel requirements within UK & Europe.
• Strong computer knowledge in word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet software.
• Strong Excel and Project skills.
• Ability to work in Word, Acrobat and PowerPoint.

The Perks

• Work-life balance:
  • Flexible start and finish times.
  • Bring your dog to work.
• Wellbeing:
  • Employees Assistance program to support with mental, physical and financial health.
  • Fully equipped free gym and on-site wellness room in Brick Lane and 50% discount off external gym memberships.
  • Private Medical Insurance.
• Employee Discount:
  • Up to 40% off at all URBN Brands (Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People and more!).
• Community:
  • One paid day to either volunteer or fundraise for a charity of your choice.
• Travel:
  • Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan.
• Continued Development:
  • We offer structured support within the business alongside continued learning and development.

Equal Opportunity Statement

URBN is an Equal Opportunities Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, marital status, religion, race, or disability. We base all our employment decisions on merit, job requirements and business needs.