Job Description
MEP Project Director
Location: Kettering, UK
Employment Type: Full-time / Permanent
Salary: £90,000-£100,000 + 5k Car Allowance
Job description
Project Type: Construction of a new office building and state-of-the-art facility.
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic MEP Project Director to lead the delivery of a technically complex, high-value (£20m+) Mechanical, Electrical & Public Health (MEP) project in Kettering. The successful candidate will oversee the full lifecycle of the project, ensuring technical excellence, commercial performance, and team leadership throughout.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Project Leadership
* Provide overall leadership across one or multiple complex projects or programmes.
* Oversee the full project lifecycle from pre-construction, design coordination and procurement through construction, commissioning and final handover.
* Define and implement clear delivery strategies aligned with programme, commercial, safety, and quality objectives.
Commercial & Financial Management
* Take full ownership of project Profit & Loss, ensuring delivery in line with approved margins and forecasts.
* Lead monthly Cost Value Reconciliations (CVRs) in collaboration with the commercial team.
* Identify, manage, and mitigate commercial risks while maximising opportunities across the project portfolio.
* Oversee variation and change management, ensuring all scope changes are properly documented, costed, negotiated, and agreed.
Programme & Planning Oversight
* Oversee the development and ongoing management of detailed contract programmes.
* Ensure alignment between M&E works and main contractor/client programmes.
* Monitor programme performance, identify risks to delivery, and implement recovery plans where required.
Team Leadership & Resource Management
* Lead, manage, and mentor senior project teams including Project Managers, Engineers, and Site Managers.
* Ensure appropriate resourcing across all projects, including direct labour, subcontractors, and supply chain partners.
* Set clear performance expectations and drive accountability across project teams.
Subcontractor & Supply Chain Management
* Oversee performance of specialist M&E subcontractors to ensure compliance with scope, programme, quality, and safety requirements.
* Define and manage procurement strategies, including early engagement and tracking of long-lead equipment and plant.
Client & Stakeholder Engagement
* Act as the senior point of contact for clients, consultants, and key internal and external stakeholders.
* Lead high-level progress, commercial, and risk meetings, providing clear and accurate updates.
* Build, maintain, and develop strong long-term client relationships to support repeat business.
Risk & Change Management
* Maintain oversight of project risk registers, ensuring risks are actively reviewed and managed.
* Lead the resolution of complex technical, commercial, and programme challenges.
Health, Safety & Quality Governance
* Provide visible leadership on Health & Safety, ensuring full compliance with statutory and company requirements.
* Ensure RAMS are reviewed, approved, communicated, and effectively implemented.
* Drive a culture of quality excellence and right-first-time delivery across all projects.
Commissioning & Handover
* Oversee commissioning strategies and ensure effective system integration and validation.
* Ensure all systems are fully tested, commissioned, and ready for handover.
* Manage project close-out, including completion of O&M manuals, as-built documentation, and client training.
Reporting & Continuous Improvement
* Provide regular, accurate reporting to senior management on project performance, financial status, and key risks.
* Lead post-project reviews, capturing lessons learned to inform future project delivery and bidding strategies.
Candidate Requirements:
* Proven experience delivering complex MEP projects exceeding £20m in value.
* Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage multidisciplinary teams.
* Excellent commercial acumen and contract management experience.
* In-depth knowledge of UK building regulations, MEP systems, and construction methodologies.
* Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
* Willingness to undergo full background checks and security vetting (including NDA clearance) due to the sensitive nature of the project.
Qualifications
Desirable Qualifications:
* Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
* Chartered status or equivalent professional accreditation.
* Experience in delivering manufacturing or high-tech facilities is a plus.