Project Director

The Opportunity

Our client is a leading Tier 1 main contractor with an exciting opportunity for an experienced Project Director to take overall responsibility for the delivery of a £150m new-build manufacturing facility in Kent.

The project is currently in the Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA) stage, with the main works scheduled to commence in March/April 2027.

This is a major, technically complex development requiring an experienced senior leader capable of managing the project from pre-construction through to successful completion and handover.

The Role

As Project Director, you will have overall responsibility for the successful delivery of the project, providing strategic leadership across the pre-construction and construction phases.

You will work closely with the client, design team, consultants, supply chain and internal project teams to ensure the project is delivered safely, commercially successfully, to programme and to the required quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction to the project team.
• Take responsibility for the successful delivery of the £150m manufacturing facility.
• Lead the project through the PCSA/pre-construction phase and into main works.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with the client and key stakeholders.
• Establish and drive project strategy, programme and delivery objectives.
• Oversee commercial performance, cost control and financial reporting.
• Ensure robust management of programme, risk, quality and procurement.
• Lead the design management process and coordinate technical requirements.
• Oversee the appointment and management of key subcontractors and suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety and environmental requirements.
• Provide clear leadership to senior project and construction management teams.
• Identify and manage project risks, opportunities and challenges.
• Ensure effective governance, reporting and performance management throughout the project lifecycle.
• Drive a collaborative culture across the project team and wider supply chain.
• Lead the project through commissioning, completion and final handover.

About You

The successful candidate will be an experienced senior construction professional with a strong engineering-led background and a proven track record of delivering major, complex projects.

You will ideally have:

• Significant experience operating at Project Director / Senior Project Director level.
• A background in engineering, construction management or a related technical discipline.
• Previous experience working for a Tier 1 main contractor.
• A proven track record delivering projects in excess of £100m.
• Experience delivering technically complex industrial, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, data centre, energy or similarly complex facilities.
• Strong pre-construction and PCSA experience.
• Excellent commercial, contractual and programme management skills.
• Strong client-facing and stakeholder management experience.
• The ability to lead large multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication, leadership and decision-making skills.
• A strong understanding of health, safety, quality and environmental requirements.

Why This Opportunity?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a major project at an early stage and take a leading role in the delivery of a £150m technically complex manufacturing facility.

The successful individual will have significant influence over the project's strategy and delivery and will be joining the scheme at a key point in its development, with the opportunity to lead it from PCSA through to completion.

O’Neill and Brennan values diversity and promotes equality, All individuals will be treated in a fair and equal manner and in accordance with the law regardless of gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation