Project Director
As the Project Director you will lead the end-to-end planning, procurement, delivery, and commissioning of major water, energy and other utilities plants and associated infrastructure.
Ensure safe, compliant, on-time and on-budget outcomes.
Own the program P&L and portfolio outcomes.
Oversee internal and external project managers.
Support as the key senior interface to clients, regulators, and other public sector agencies.
Key Responsibilities Include:
Strategy & Governance
Program & Portfolio Management
Financial Management & P&L Ownership
Procurement, Tendering & Contracting
Delivery & Construction Management
Regulatory & Compliance
Stakeholder & External Relations
People Leadership & Performance
Skills & Experience Required
Essential
~10+ years delivering or managing utilities infrastructure, with 5+ years in leadership roles.
~ Proven track record in either water/wastewater regulated infrastructure or heat/cooling non-regulated infrastructure.
~ Strong communicator with senior stakeholders including client, regulator and other public sector bodies.
~ Strong commercial acumen: P&L management, design and build appointments and any associated claims/variations.
~ Experience in program management, cost management, risk & change management.
~ Regulatory familiarity with utilities networks such as drinking water standards, environmental permitting, planning approvals.
~ Health & Safety leadership and quality assurance experience.
Preferred
Chartered Engineer (CEng/PE) or equivalent in Civil/Mechanical/Process/Environmental Engineering.
Professional certifications: PMP, APM, PRINCE2, or NEC/FIDIC accreditation.
Experience with BIM (ISO 19650), ISO 55001 asset management, ISO 9001 quality.
Knowledge of public sector procurement and contract forms (NEC Options, FIDIC, EPC/DB).
Experience delivering in alliance/framework or multi-party collaboration models.
Core Competencies
Leadership & Influence – Sets vision, aligns stakeholders, resolves conflicts.
Commercial & Contracting – Negotiation, change control
Technical Judgement – Process understanding, constructability, commissioning.
Regulatory Savvy – Navigates approvals, audits, statutory constraints.
Stakeholder Management – Public sector, community, regulatory, political interfaces.
Risk & Assurance – Proactive mitigation, scenario planning, recovery strategies.
Communication – Executive-ready reporting, clear escalation, public briefings.
Delivery Excellence – Drives schedule and budget adherence with uncompromising safety.