Project Director

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a Project Director to lead delivery of remediation project within the DNWP framework, joining a high‑performing, client‑facing team on a major infrastructure programme at the Sellafield site. This role sits within an integrated project team responsible for the full lifecycle development and delivery of critical site improvements.

You will bring proven experience of leading complex projects from concept through design and construction, working within a structured, stage‑gated delivery model aligned to APM principles. As a confident and adaptable leader, you will inspire and manage a large multidisciplinary team, driving collaborative behaviours supported by programme KPIs and incentive mechanisms.

The role requires senior leadership capability within an operational, nuclear‑licensed environment, contributing to a focused and collaborative programme of development across the site.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the remediation projects within the DNWP Framework, ensuring successful delivery in line with agreed scope, cost, schedule, quality, and safety objectives.

• Act as the primary senior interface with the client, framework partners, and key stakeholders, fostering a collaborative, transparent, and high‑trust working relationship aligned to programme KPIs and incentive mechanisms.

• Lead and manage a large, multidisciplinary project team, promoting a strong safety culture, high standards of performance, and effective collaboration across engineering, commercial, planning, and delivery functions.

• Oversee all phases of the project lifecycle, from concept development through detailed design and construction/implementation, ensuring compliance with the client’s linear integrated project lifecycle (APM‑equivalent) governance, stage gates, and assurance requirements.

• Ensure delivery activities are fully compliant with nuclear site licence conditions, UK health, safety and environmental legislation, and internal quality, security, and safety management systems.

• Provide strategic direction on project planning, risk management, change control, and performance reporting, ensuring informed decision‑making and effective mitigation of programme and project risks.

• Manage project budgets and commercial performance, working closely with commercial teams to control costs, manage variations, and deliver value for money while meeting contractual obligations.

• Champion continuous improvement and best practice in project and programme delivery, driving efficiencies, innovation, and learning across the project and wider framework.

• Support the Framework Director in programme‑level governance, reporting, and stakeholder engagement, contributing to strategic planning and long‑term framework objectives.

• Develop, mentor, and retain high‑performing talent within the project team, ensuring appropriate capability, succession planning, and professional development in a highly regulated environment.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Degree qualified in appropriate engineering or management subject and membership of the Association of Project Management (APM).

• Minimum 8 years of experience in similar project / programme management and leadership role.

• Skilled in leading complex, multi-disciplinary programmes under NEC4 contracts.

• Proven track record of managing specialist sub-contractors.

• Evidence of understanding of concept design, development processes and their governance and stage gated processes. 

• Experience of assurance activities and processes which includes coordinating assurance events and acting as a review member to other programme assurance events.

• Demonstrable evidence of honesty, drive and commitment with the ability to motivate others.

• Experience of Microsoft packages particularly the use of Excel for the detailed analysis of large and complex data sets.

• Superior interpersonal and leadership skills are required to enable effective interaction with clients, seniors and peers while working in a collaborative “Team” environment and able to build and maintain effective internal and external working relationships. 

• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and quality are required along with a process improvement-oriented mindset.

• Capable of effective multi-task working, identifying and managing priorities and working to challenging time scales 

• Experience embedding quality and safety practices.

Our Culture

Our values are built on a strong foundation of safety, integrity, and respect for every individual. People are at the heart of our mission, and we believe in supporting one another through a culture of care and collaboration.

We strive to create a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. Supporting mental wellbeing and fostering a sense of connection are essential to how we work.

When we embrace different perspectives and work together, we become more innovative, more agile, and more successful.

We partner with VERCIDA, for greater online accessibility please visit www.vercida.com to view and access our roles. As a Disability Confident employer, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team.