We are currently recruiting for a Project Director to join our IST team. With a market leading client base and the opportunity to take the lead on strategic commissions and high-profile projects, this is an exciting time to join the business unit and grow a career with Turner & Townsend.
This role is client facing, working within a professional and ambitious team, where you will receive excellent support. We have brought our brightest minds together to respond to our client’s Project and Programme management objectives working on major hyperscale projects.
The Project Director is accountable for integrating engineering, construction, digital, regulatory, procurement and operations into a single, coherent delivery framework, covering the full lifecycle from concept to commercialisation.
Also, provide end‑to‑end leadership for a €100M+ multi‑year capital programme within a global FMCG environment.
The objective is to deliver a future‑ready asset providing sustainable cost advantage, capacity resilience, ESG performance and digital capability.
Key Responsibilities
1. Governance & Strategic Leadership
- Own and defend the business case, Capex roadmap and value‑creation strategy at ExCom and Board level.
- Drive key decisions on masterplanning, site footprint, technology and digital architecture.
- Ensure programme governance aligned with global operations, supply‑chain and sustainability strategies.
- Enable clear executive decision‑making through structured risk and scenario management.
2. Programme & Delivery Leadership
- Lead cross‑functional workstreams including engineering, construction, utilities, process, automation, digital manufacturing, quality, HSE and operations.
- Ensure integrated delivery across design, procurement, construction, commissioning, qualification and start‑up.
- Manage EPC/EPCm partners, OEMs, technology providers and internal experts.
- Apply robust programme controls (critical path, stage‑gates, contract strategy, earned value).
3. Financial & Commercial Management
- Hold full accountability for a €100M+ CAPEX budget, including cost control, cashflow and contingencies.
- Define and execute optimal contracting strategies (EPC, EPCm, design‑build, lump sum).
- Lead major negotiations and drive value engineering and lifecycle cost optimisation.
4. Regulatory, Safety & Quality
- Lead risk management across regulatory approvals, HSE, food safety and environmental compliance.
- Own HAZOP/HAZID, design reviews, validation strategy and audit readiness.
- Ensure compliance with engineering standards, legal requirements and ESG commitments.
5. Operational Readiness & Organisation Build
- Design the future operating model, including structure, capabilities and digital skills.
- Lead workforce mobilisation and readiness for operations and maintenance.
- Deliver a structured vertical start‑up approach covering training, SOPs, simulations and line qualification.
6. Digital & Automation Enablement
- Lead integration of MES, automation, data, cybersecurity and ERP interfaces.
- Align with enterprise digital manufacturing strategy and embed advanced analytics and predictive maintenance.
7. Stakeholder & External Engagement
- Manage relationships with regulators, authorities, local communities and sustainability partners.
- Lead internal and external communication and change management.
- 15+ years’ experience delivering large‑scale capital programmes (€50M–€200M+) within FMCG, food or closely related process industries.
- Strong command of engineering design, construction, utilities, food‑safety systems, commissioning and validation.
- Proven expertise in EPC / EPCm delivery models, contract strategy, multi‑vendor environments and dispute avoidance.
- Solid understanding of digital manufacturing platforms (MES, automation, data and control systems).
Leadership & Organisational Influence
- Executive presence with the ability to communicate effectively at Board and ExCom level.
- Demonstrated capability to lead multi‑year, multi‑workstream programmes in complex, high‑pressure environments.
- Strong experience managing supplier ecosystems and diverse stakeholder landscapes.
- Track record of building, mobilising and scaling operations teams for new assets.
Financial & Commercial Acumen
- Strong understanding of capital investment governance, value engineering and lifecycle costing.
- Experienced commercial negotiator, managing major contracts, variations and claims.
Success Metrics
- Delivery within approved CAPEX envelope (target variance <3%).
- On‑time commissioning, qualification and vertical start‑up.
- Achievement of defined productivity, OEE, yield, service and sustainability objectives.
- High workforce readiness and stable operational ramp‑up.
- Strong stakeholder confidence and measurable structural COGS improvement.
Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.
We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.
Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.
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