Project Director
John Cockerill
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
John Cockerill Services in Belgium is seeking a Project Director to own a portfolio of strategic industrial projects, from pre-project through execution, close-out and financial completion. You will directly manage one major project while guiding others, blending hands-on delivery with portfolio governance.
The role emphasizes on-site execution, safety, quality, budget and schedule adherence, with strong collaboration across site teams, subcontractors and customers to anticipate risks and drive
Qualifications
- 10+ years leading complex industrial projects.
- 5+ years in project management with on-site execution.
- Fluent French and English; Dutch is desirable.
- Engineering background; civil/industrial preferred.
- Experience with public procurement.
Responsibilities
- Define project execution strategies, priorities, milestones and resource allocation across the portfolio, maintaining operational responsibility for major projects.
- Lead major projects on-site, chair reviews, monitor KPIs and report to management.
- Coordinate site activities, teams and subcontractors to ensure safety, quality, cost and schedule targets.
- Ensure compliance with contractual commitments and coordinate internal/external stakeholders.
- Drive continuous improvement in project management methods, risk anticipation and reporting.
Skills
Education
Job description
Location: Seraing, Belgium | Belgian employment contract
Are you ready to lead major industrial projects, strengthen project delivery and make a tangible impact on operational performance and customer satisfaction?
Driven since 1817 by the entrepreneurial spirit and thirst for innovation of its founder, the John Cockerill Group develops large-scale technological solutions to meet the needs of its time: facilitating access to low-carbon energies, enabling sustainable industrial production, preserving natural resources, contributing to greener mobility, enhancing security, and installing critical infrastructures.
Its offer to companies, States and communities consists of services and associated equipment for the sectors of energy, defense, industry, the environment, transports, and infrastructures.
With over 8,000 employees, John Cockerill achieved a turnover of €1.417 billion in 2024, operating in 28 countries across 5 continents.
Within this framework, John Cockerill Services supports customers throughout the entire lifecycle of their industrial installations, delivering maintenance, upgrades, revamping, spare parts, digital solutions and operational support to enhance performance, reliability and sustainability.
Learn more about our Services activities: https://services.johncockerill.com/en/
- Operational impact: contribute directly to the performance, availability and longevity of critical industrial assets.
- Global reach: collaborate with multicultural teams and support customers worldwide. Discover our international talent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvUiEakGcsQ&t=72s
- Field & expertise driven: combine technical expertise, customer proximity and pragmatic problem-solving.
- Engineering & decision centers on the same site: evolve in an agile environment enabling fast and informed decisions.
As Project Director within John Cockerill Services in Belgium, you will take ownership of a portfolio of strategic industrial projects, from pre-project preparation and launch through execution, contractual close-out and financial completion. You will directly manage one major project while overseeing several others, combining hands-on delivery with portfolio governance.
A key focus of the role is the execution phase on site, where the Project Director will take ownership of the operational delivery of projects, ensuring that works are carried out safely, to the required quality standards, within budget and schedule, and in line with contractual commitments. This requires a strong understanding of site execution, proven experience managing industrial projects in the field, and a genuine appetite for being closely involved in the day-to-day challenges of project delivery, working alongside site teams, subcontractors and customers to anticipate risks, resolve issues and drive performance.
The position is newly created to strengthen and professionalise project management practices, build a more proactive approach to risk and performance, and support a substantial pipeline of upcoming projects.
Our Belgian Services activities span energy, wind, industrial maintenance, mechanical and electromechanical works, electrical and hydraulic systems, metal fabrication, the sugar industry and public-sector contracts. Project sites are primarily in Wallonia (Liège, Namur and Charleroi), with activity also in Flanders (including Ostend and Antwerp).
- Define project execution strategies, priorities, milestones and resource allocation across the portfolio, while retaining direct operational responsibility for major projects.
- Personally lead major projects while overseeing others, chairing project reviews, monitoring KPIs, driving corrective actions and reporting to management.
- Lead on-site project execution, coordinating site activities, teams and subcontractors to ensure safety, quality, cost and schedule targets are met.
- Maintain a strong field presence to monitor progress, anticipate risks, resolve operational issues and ensure effective coordination between stakeholders.
- Ensure compliance with contractual commitments and coordinate internal functions, project teams and external stakeholders throughout project delivery.
- Monitor site performance against budget and schedule, identify deviations and take corrective action to protect project margins.
- Prepare and monitor budgets, financial forecasts and cash‑flow plans, reporting risks and financial exposure to management.
- Manage contractual obligations, amendments, claims and related documentation, particularly in public procurement.
- Anticipate and mitigate technical, financial and contractual risks.
- Represent John Cockerill in relationships with strategic customers, participate in significant negotiations and maintain long‑term customer confidence.
- Lead, coach and evaluate Project Managers and project teams; develop capabilities, versatility, accountability and collaboration.
- Strengthen project management methods, planning discipline, risk anticipation and reporting, and bridge operational execution with management.
- Prepare, facilitate and follow up management committee meetings where required in the SSM context.
- Ensure HSE compliance, legal and internal procedural compliance, and participation in audits and compliance reviews.
You will collaborate with engineers, technicians, project managers, planning, legal and HR functions, customers and subcontractors. The team needs experienced guidance and further structure as project management practices continue to mature.
Following a substantial organisational restructuring, the business now benefits from a more robust structure, stronger teams and a positive, collaborative working environment. The next step is to further improve project governance, anticipation and delivery discipline. The management approach is participative, trust-based, pragmatic and action-oriented.
- A senior project leader with at least 10 years of experience managing complex industrial projects and at least 5 years in project management role, including substantial hands‑on experience in the on‑site execution of industrial projects.
- Ideally a civil or industrial engineer, particularly in mechanical, electromechanical or civil engineering disciplines. A business or management degree may also be suitable when combined with substantial experience managing technical projects.
- Demonstrated expertise in complex project delivery, including site mobilisation, planning and coordination of works, subcontractor management, progress monitoring, cost control, quality, HSE and resolution of operational issues.
- Strong capabilities in financial steering, contract management, negotiation, planning and control, risk management and executive reporting, with a clear understanding of the link between site performance and project profitability.
- Sound understanding of industrial and technical environments, including multidisciplinary delivery teams, field operations and international industrial operations.
- Experience with public procurement is particularly valuable, including official correspondence, contractual amendments, claims, insurance, quality assurance, contractual risk and public‑sector customer relationships.
- Fluent French and English; basic Dutch is desirable.
- Previous experience within John Cockerill and familiarity with its organisation would be an advantage.
- Demonstrated leadership: sets direction, engages multidisciplinary teams, develops colleagues and builds ownership and accountability.
- Entrepreneurial judgement and autonomy takes decisions, acts promptly and takes responsibility for outcomes.
- Structured and forward‑looking: anticipates risks, monitors project performance and turns complexity into practical action.
- Operational mindset and field engagement enjoys being close to site activities, works effectively with field teams and proactively addresses execution challenges.
- Financial and contractual judgement: challenges assumptions, protects project interests and understands the impact of operational performance on project margins.
Influential communicators and negotiator builds credibility with strategic customers, management, project teams, subcontractors and partners.
- Operational performance: contractual deadlines, budget and margin objectives, and achievement of project milestones.
- Customer outcomes: satisfaction, prevention and management of major disputes, and sustained relationships.
- HSE: prevention of serious accidents, compliance with safety rules and positive audit outcomes.
- People and organisational development: team engagement, retention, stronger Project Manager capabilities and more mature project management practices.
- Attractive salary package with extra‑legal benefits: company car, meal vouchers, flat‑rate expenses, hospitalisation, life, death and guaranteed‑income insurance; variable remuneration of 0–25% of gross annual salary and a profit‑sharing scheme linked to progress and results.
- Flexible arrangements, including 1–2 remote‑working days per week after training.
- A comprehensive six‑month onboarding and training programme, regular reviews and a broad training catalogue.
- Career development and potential opportunities across sectors, businesses and regions.
- 31 days off.
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