Essence Project Management

What Essence Project Management does

Essence Project Management is an Australian employee-owned property and construction project management consultancy founded in 2016 by James Joy and David Nicholas in Sydney. The firm delivers full-lifecycle project management services — from inception and planning through design management, procurement, construction delivery, commissioning and handover — supplemented by specialist capabilities in superintendency, independent certification, development management, design management, project programming, client representation, tenancy coordination, FF&E management, and lenders representation. It operates across five Australian offices (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Newcastle) with 60+ team members including 55+ project managers, and has completed 180+ projects since inception.

The firm leverages third-party digital platforms — Aconex for document and communication management, Mastt for real-time project tracking and cost management — alongside Microsoft Copilot for AI-assisted minute-taking, record-keeping and early issue identification. Essence holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certifications, was the first project management company to achieve Climate Active Carbon Neutral certification in 2021, and holds an endorsed Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan.

Revenue is generated through professional services fees negotiated per mandate based on scope and complexity. The go-to-market is direct enterprise engagement with property developers, superannuation funds (ISPT, Cbus, Aware Super), government bodies (NSW Government, Sydney Fish Market Pty Ltd, LAHC), and building owners, supported by an annual graduate program, a professional referral network, and membership in peak industry bodies (Property Council of Australia, UDIA, NAWIC, Property Industry Foundation). A February 2025 strategic collaboration with Perth-based Build Plus extends effective reach into Western Australia.

Name

Essence Project Management

Legal name

Essence Project Management

Website

https://essencepm.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Essence Project Management is an Australian employee-owned project management consultancy founded in 2016, delivering full-lifecycle project management services to property developers, superannuation funds, government bodies, and building owners across five Australian cities with 55+ project managers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Project Management Consultancy

NAICS

Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413), Engineering Services (54133), Engineering Services (541330)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Construction Program Management (Multi-site/Portfolio) (IMAFAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Real Estate Development Asset Management (Project/Construction-to-Stabilization) (BPAJAMAL)

Keywords

• Construction project management
• Property consultancy services
• Superintendency services
• Development management
• Independent certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Project Management Services: Professional consulting fees for project management services throughout the full project lifecycle. Services include project initiation, planning, execution, and control to achieve client visions meeting time, cost, scope and quality expectations.
2. Superintendency Services: Contract administration services ensuring compliance with contract requirements, certification of payment claims, extensions of time, and variations. Provides independent oversight of construction projects.
3. Development Management: Integrated project development process providing control of total project enabling optimum project performance from acquisition and planning through to delivery and handover.
4. Design Management: Design leadership services ensuring efficient and cost-effective design solutions aligned with client visions, developed and delivered as final plans for construction.
5. Independent Certification: Independent assurance that design and construction of works have been developed in accordance with project briefs and completion obligations across agreements and contracts.
6. FF&E Management: Furniture, fittings and equipment procurement and installation management services from brief development through to delivery and asset registry.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Essence Project Management is an employee-owned Australian property and construction project management consultancy delivering full-lifecycle mandates across mixed-use, commercial, residential, healthcare, education, retail, hospitality, and infrastructure sectors. The firm provides project management, superintendency, independent certification, development management, design management, programming, client representation, tenancy coordination, FF&E management, and lenders representation services to property developers, superannuation funds, government bodies, and institutional clients from offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Newcastle.

Product overview

Essence Project Management is a property and construction project management consultancy offering a comprehensive suite of services across the full project lifecycle. The core offering comprises ten integrated service modules: Project Management, Superintendency, Independent Certification, Project Direction, Design Management, Project Programming, Development Management, Client Representation, Tenancy Co-ordination, FF&E Management, and Lenders Representation. These services are delivered across multiple sectors including mixed-use, build-to-sell, build-to-rent, commercial, education, health, retail, hotels/hospitality, industrial, seniors living, social/affordable housing, and tertiary education. The company operates nationally with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Newcastle.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Project Management Full lifecycle project management from inception through planning, approvals, design development, procurement, construction delivery, commissioning, and handover. Manages briefs, risk assessments, consultant and contractor procurement, budget and cost management, and construction coordination for property and construction clients.
• Superintendency Contract administration services ensuring all aspects of the contract are administered fairly and diligently, including compliance with contract terms, certification of payment claims, extension of time determinations, and variations.
• Independent Certification Independent assurance that design and construction works have been developed in accordance with the project brief, and that completion obligations across agreements and contracts have been fulfilled.
• Project Direction Strategic advisory service providing leadership, strategy, project definition, governance and direction to projects and capital works programs. Includes project governance, master planning, concept development, feasibility studies, quality assurance, and improvement programs.
• Design Management Design oversight service balancing cost, constructability, innovation, assurance, safety, materials, methods, regulations, standards, and client requirements while maintaining project vision.
• Project Programming Scheduling and programming services measuring progress, implementing corrective action, and resetting targets to avoid time slippage and cost overruns across feasibility through project completion.
• Development Management Integrated project development process providing control across all phases from acquisition and planning through delivery to handover, including coordination of sales, marketing, leasing, and finance teams.
• Client Representation Acting as an extension of the client to safeguard interests by monitoring and directing the project throughout all stages and managing the activities of all project team members and consultants appointed by the client.
• Tenancy Co-ordination Manages intricate processes of tenancy coordination overseeing design, approval, and construction phases to ensure seamless transitions for tenants into new spaces, coordinating between developers, facilities managers, contractors, and tenants.
• FF&E Management Furniture, fittings and equipment management collaborating with developers and operators to establish project requirements, procure products, and oversee FF&E procurement and installation for fitouts and refurbishments.
• Lenders Representation Provides lenders with guidance on developer and contractor performance, encompassing cost-to-complete assessments, program performance, contract compliance, and completion obligations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Delivered more than 180 projects since inception in 2016
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Build PlusstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Essence Project Management formalised a strategic collaboration with Build Plus, a Perth-based project management firm. This partnership strengthens Essence's ability to deliver exceptional project management services and expands capacity to support clients across Australia with greater regional expertise.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• AECOM: Global infrastructure consulting firm with extensive Australian operations providing project management, engineering, and advisory services across property, transport, and water sectors. Competes for large-scale enterprise mandates but offers much broader capability.
• Aurecon: Asia-Pacific engineering and infrastructure advisory firm headquartered in Australia, providing project management, engineering, and advisory services for property, government, and infrastructure clients across the full project lifecycle.
• Arcadis: Global design and consultancy firm with established Australian operations providing project management and advisory services for property and infrastructure clients. Competes for the same enterprise and government mandates as Essence.
• WSP: Global professional services consultancy with a major Australian presence delivering engineering and project management advisory across property and infrastructure. Competes for similar clients but at significantly larger scale and broader capability.
• Mott MacDonald: Global engineering, management, and development consultancy with strong Australian presence serving property, infrastructure, and government clients. Competes on larger integrated mandates but at significantly greater scale.

Direct peers

• Pact Build: Australian construction and project management consultancy operating in a similar niche of mid-to-large property and infrastructure projects for institutional and government clients.
• Capella Capital: Australian project management and advisory firm serving similar property, infrastructure, and government clients with comparable service offerings and project scale.
• TSA Management: Australian employee-owned project management consultancy of similar size serving property developers, government, and institutional clients across the full project lifecycle. Closest direct competitor on ownership model, scale, and sector focus.
• Build Plus: Perth-based project management firm that entered a strategic collaboration with Essence in February 2025. Comparable service offering and project focus, operating regionally in Western Australia where Essence is now extending its footprint.
• WT (formerly Watpac): Australian construction and project management firm of comparable size offering similar end-to-end project services to property developers and institutional clients across Australia.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/essence-project-management

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Essence Project Management