Technical Services Associate - France

M7 is looking for an experienced Technical Services Associate to join the Technical Services team who will be responsible for the delivery and oversight of capital expenditure projects across the French portfolio. Based in Paris and reporting directly to the Director of Technical Services, the Associate will manage external consultants, drive project delivery to programme, budget and M7 design standards, and act as the technical interface between the design team, asset management and the wider business.

Working at M7

M7 is a European real estate investment management firm, with a total of €5bn assets under management. We specialise in urban and last-mile logistics, leveraging local expertise and active asset management to maximise performance. These strategically located assets help occupiers reduce delivery times, lower emissions and respond quickly to consumer needs.

We take a value-oriented investment philosophy combined with a hands-on asset management platform. From acquisition through to on-going operations, we create spaces that maximise value and meet the evolving needs of occupiers.

Our culture is open, fast moving and performance driven, with a team focused approach that keeps work rewarding and fun. We are a collaborative organisation with 135 employees across the UK and Europe. At M7, we know it’s the efforts of our teams across all offices that make our success possible, so we provide a generous total rewards package and support for our employees’ wellbeing, growth and work–life balance.

Key Responsibilities

·       Lead the end-to-end delivery of capex projects across the French portfolio (typical project values €3–5m+), ensuring works are completed on programme, within budget and to M7 design standards.

·       Manage and hold to account external consultants and design team members including Assistant à la Maîtrise d’Ouvrage, Maître d'Œuvre, BET structures, BET fluides, bureaux de contrôle, économistes de la construction/Cost Manager, ensuring their outputs are co-ordinated, timely and of the required standard.

·       Collaborate with the internal Asset Manager on project strategy, specifications, finishes, unit layouts and IRR implications, obtaining their formal approval at each design stage gateway.

·       Maintain accurate and current project data within the M7 capex tracker, ensuring the tracker reflects the live position of all projects including programme, cost, risk and change control.

·       Develop a thorough understanding of French building and construction regulations (Code de la Construction et de l’Habitation, DTU standards, Règlementation Thermique / RE2020), loi Spinetta decennial liability frameworks, and CCTP/CCAP contract structures, and apply this knowledge to inform project strategy and procurement.

·       Monitor and interpret upcoming or evolving French and EU legislation (energy performance, ICPE classifications, fire safety, sustainability) and advise on the impact to current and future project strategies.

·       Ensure design co-ordination across all disciplines, chairing design team meetings and driving resolution of interface issues between consultants.

·       Robustly challenge project costs, fee proposals and contractor rates. Benchmark against market data and build an internal cost database from completed projects to inform future underwrites and acquisition appraisals.

·       Contribute to the continuous improvement of M7’s Technical Design Guide, standard specifications and delivery processes.

·       Have a strong network of consultants, suppliers and contractors that can be utilised for projects.

·       Assist the Director of Technical services with underwrites for acquisitions, informing €/m2 rates for post-acquisition projects. This will also include advising on specialists to be used as part of the technical due diligence team e.g ICPE consultants, for acquisitions.

Skills and Behaviours

Skills / Knowledge / Experience

• Strong technical understanding of commercial and industrial/logistics building construction, refurbishment and fit-out in the French market.
• Proven ability to manage multi-disciplinary design teams and external consultants through all French project stages (Esquisse through to AOR/DOE).
• Direct experience delivering capex projects in the €3–5m+ range within industrial, logistics or commercial real estate.
• Working knowledge of French building regulations (Code de la Construction, DTU, RE2020), loi Spinetta obligations, CCTP/CCAP contract structures and bureau de contrôle requirements.
• Ability to critically analyse cost plans, fee proposals and contractor pricing, with the commercial acumen to challenge and negotiate effectively.

Behaviours / Ways of Working

• Proactive and self-directed: identifies issues early, escalates risks appropriately and drives resolution without waiting to be asked.
• Commercially sharp: understands the investment context behind every project and makes decisions that protect returns.
• Confident communicator: able to hold their own in discussions with asset managers, shareholders and senior consultants, presenting project positions clearly and defending cost challenges under scrutiny.
• Collaborative but rigorous: builds productive relationships with consultants and internal stakeholders while maintaining accountability for deliverables.
• Detail-oriented with a structured approach to project reporting, data management and programme tracking.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• Degree-level qualification in a relevant built environment discipline (e.g. architecture, civil/structural engineering, building surveying, construction management). Professional accreditation such as MRICS, Diplôme d’Ingénieur or equivalent is required.
• Bilingual in French and English
• Minimum 5–8 years of post-qualification experience in project delivery, employer-side construction consultancy (maîtrise d’ouvrage or AMO) or an equivalent client-side technical role within commercial real estate.
• A valid driving licence and willingness to travel regularly across France are essential.

Additional Information

Reports to: Director of Technical Services

Location: Paris, France (office-based with hybrid flexibility)

Travel: Regular travel across French assets and infrequent travel to UK for HQ meetings