Project Director - Europe

Overview

We are looking for a Project Director to lead our expanding operations across Dublin, UK, and Europe. Reporting to the Regional Director or Business Unit Managing Director, this role entails full accountability for managing and overseeing complex, high-value projects, typically exceeding 30 million. The Project Director acts as the project lead from the tender phase, collaborating closely with the Estimating team to win contracts, and subsequently organizes the Project Execution Plan (PEP) and assembles the project team to ensure successful delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead the tender team comprising estimator, construction manager, quantity surveyor, and other relevant personnel along with external consultants as needed.
• Oversee tender production to guarantee competitive and compliant bids.
• Develop project program, method statements, preliminaries, and tender documentation.
• Chair startup and internal meetings; define procurement strategy and prequalify key suppliers for early contract awards.
• Prepare and actively manage a preliminary risk register throughout the project lifecycle.
• Collaborate with senior quantity surveyors to schedule and track procurement activities.
• Ensure comprehensive Health, Safety, and Environmental plans with temporary registers initiated.
• Agree and implement site layouts and logistics following company standards.
• Notify statutory bodies and stakeholders about site commencement dates.
• Coordinate staffing plans with the Regional Director.
• Define design approaches including BIM and Design Risk Management, handling novated services if relevant.
• Conduct project startup meetings and manage the preparation and implementation of the PEP.
• Handle contract commencement including receiving and acknowledging intents, confirming start dates, and finalizing documentation.
• Maintain compliance with quality, environmental, and progress targets as per contract obligations.
• Contribute to contractor and supplier selection and vetting, including HSEQS assessments.
• Manage subcontractor meetings and oversee workforce covering during absences.
• Lead internal and subcontractor meetings to ensure alignment and coordination.
• Administer prelims according to the PEP and manage extension of time requests with quantity surveyors.
• Assess construction feasibility and identify commercial or scheduling advantages.
• Supervise site progress against the program, work with subcontractors and site managers on scheduling.
• Control costs, risks, documentation, and correspondence conscientiously.
• Drive the project team, supply chain, and client towards zero incidents, injuries, and high-quality standards.
• Communicate potential legal, industrial relations, environmental, technical, or construction issues with the management.
• Monitor financial progress including interim payments, profitability, final accounts, and loss expense negotiations.
• Coordinate monthly cost variance reports involving commercial and design managers, advising forward strategies.
• Identify risks for additional expenses or delays and implement recovery plans.
• Ensure regular internal control meetings.
• Manage procurement of all necessary completion certificates and oversee defects liability period post-contract.
• Direct client and stakeholder relationship management, including exploring business development prospects.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the project team to ensure competency and performance alignment with company values.

Post Construction

• Provide a customer-focused aftercare service and coordinate post-handover commissioning adjustments.
• Assist with loss and expense claims and preparation of final accounts in partnership with the senior quantity surveyor.
• Complete project documentation and secure client references.
• Safeguard company contractual interests and maintain strong client and design team relations for future opportunities.
• Manage defects lists to obtain certificates and maintain timely client engagement.

Experience & Qualifications

• Typically 15 years of experience in construction with large national contractors.
• Strong knowledge of the market, competitors, and industry trends.
• Proven capability in financial control and reporting.
• Familiarity with construction and design methods, including BIM modelling.
• Thorough understanding of building, health, safety, and fire regulations.
• Experience working on complex multidisciplinary technical projects.
• Effective planning and site task prioritization skills.
• Commercially astute with excellent communication abilities.
• Strategic risk management expertise and leadership in safety culture.
• Proven ability to hold teams accountable and pursue zero-incident philosophies.
• Experience identifying and fulfilling business development opportunities and managing key accounts.

• Academic or professional qualifications in industry management.
• Membership of recognized institutions such as MCIOB or CEng MICE.
• Competency in CVRs, PEP, and contract management processes.
• Training in IOSH for directors, CDM/PSCS awareness, Behavioural Based Safety, Root Cause Analysis, and internal workshops (S5 & Q10).

• Desirable: NEBOSH certification.

Additional Information

• Salary available.
• 26 days of annual leave.
• Pension scheme and other benefits.
• Unlimited learning and development opportunities.
• Additional company perks beyond those listed.

People and Recruitment Commitment

Our people form the core of our success, offering opportunities to build a limitless career within a purpose-driven and team-oriented company culture. Recruitment is handled exclusively by our Internal Recruitment Team, with no external agencies accepted. We are an equal opportunity employer welcoming applications from all qualified individuals regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, or other protected characteristics. Reasonable accommodations will be provided throughout the hiring process.

We encourage candidates who may feel they do not meet every criterion to still apply, as skills and potential are highly valued. We strictly comply with all relevant employment laws and transparency directives across the UK and Ireland.