Lead Project Manager - Defence

WSP; Toronto; On-site; CAD 112,000 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top 100 Employer in Canada 2026

Global opportunities

Flexible work arrangements

Balance and wellbeing

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Senior Project Manager for Defence Infrastructure in Canada. You will lead complex national projects, directing multi-disciplinary teams and managing governance, scope, schedule, cost, and risk from planning to closeout.

You will collaborate with Defence Construction Canada, regulators, and clients, guiding procurement, design, and construction while mentoring upcoming leaders and advancing health, safety, and quality standards across the practice.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline (Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management)
• Professional designation such as P.Eng., PMP, OAA, RAIC, or equivalent is an asset
• Minimum 12 years of progressive experience delivering complex capital projects
• Experience delivering defence, federal, or similarly regulated infrastructure projects
• Proven success managing projects valued at $25M+ including Design-Build, Construction Management, Alliance, or P3
• Strong understanding of federal procurement, governance, contracts, security, and compliance
• Exceptional leadership, stakeholder management, negotiation, communication, and commercial skills
• Ability to obtain federal security clearance; English/French bilingualism is an asset

Responsibilities

• Lead the successful delivery of defence and federal infrastructure projects from planning through design, construction, commissioning and closeout
• Establish and oversee project governance frameworks, schedules, budgets, resourcing and risk management
• Direct multidisciplinary teams across architecture, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, security and other disciplines
• Build trusted relationships with clients, DCC, contractors, regulators and project stakeholders
• Manage scope, schedule, cost, quality, risk and performance with proactive mitigation
• Support business development and strategic pursuits within defence and federal sectors
• Mentor project managers, controls professionals, engineers and emerging leaders
• Champion WSP health and safety, quality, environmental stewardship and ethical practices

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Communication

Contract administration

Risk management

Project governance

Commercial management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Architecture/Construction Management

P.Eng., PMP, OAA, RAIC or equivalent credential

Job description

What if you could redefine what's possible? With us, you can.

With us, you can. You want Purpose. Growth. Opportunity. People who get it.

We are the home of ambitious, passionate, and innovative world shapers.

With an unmatched breadth and depth of engineering, advisory and science-based expertise, our global minds unite to power local solutions.

We are pathfinders and impact makers.

We are Visioneers.

We are WSP.

The Opportunity

Build the Future with Us

As a Senior Project Manager, Defence Infrastructure, you will lead the delivery of some of Canada's most complex and strategically important infrastructure projects. Working with federal and defence-sector clients, you will oversee multidisciplinary teams delivering secure, mission-critical facilities that support military operations, training, logistics, public safety, and national resilience.

This is an exceptional opportunity to shape high-profile projects across land, air, and naval environments while helping grow WSP's national Defence and Federal Buildings practice. Your leadership will directly contribute to infrastructure that serves Canada's defence community and public-sector organizations for generations to come.

Your Impact

Lead the successful delivery of defence and federal infrastructure projects from planning and procurement through design, construction, commissioning, and project closeout.

Establish and oversee project governance frameworks, including execution plans, schedules, budgets, resourcing strategies, and risk management programs.

Direct multidisciplinary teams across architecture, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, security, and specialty consulting disciplines to achieve project objectives.

Build trusted relationships with clients, Defence Construction Canada (DCC), contractors, regulatory authorities, and project stakeholders.

Manage project scope, schedule, cost, quality, risk, and performance while implementing proactive mitigation strategies.

Support business development, client account management, and strategic pursuits within the defence and federal sectors.

Mentor project managers, project controls professionals, engineers, and emerging leaders to strengthen project delivery excellence across the practice.

Champion WSP's commitment to health and safety, quality, environmental stewardship, ethical business practices, and inclusive team culture.

The Skills That Set You Apart

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related discipline.

Professional designation such as P.Eng., PMP, OAA, RAIC, or equivalent professional credential is considered an asset.

Minimum 12 years of progressive experience delivering complex capital projects.

Demonstrated experience delivering defence, federal, or similarly regulated infrastructure projects, including projects with Defence Construction Canada (DCC) or comparable public-sector organizations.

Proven success managing projects valued at $25M or greater, including alternative delivery models such as Design-Build, Construction Management, Alliance, or P3.

Strong understanding of federal procurement processes, governance frameworks, contract administration, security requirements, and regulatory compliance.

Exceptional leadership, stakeholder management, negotiation, communication, and commercial management capabilities.

Ability to obtain and maintain the required federal security clearance; bilingualism (English/French) is considered an asset.

Why Choose WSP?

• Proudly Canadian – we are a Top 100 Employer in Canada for 2026.
• A global community of brilliant minds – your next idea, mentor, or opportunity is always within reach.
• Limitless opportunities start here. Whether it's across the country or around the globe, we help you tailor your role to match your ambition — because your growth drives ours.
• Flexible work, real balance – we recognize the importance of balance in our lives and encourage you to prioritize the balance in yours.

#WeAreWSP

Compensation

AB, BC, NT, NU, SK & YT: $122,900 - $162,800

MB & ON: $112,100 - $154,400

NB, NL, NS, PE & QC: $111,000 - $147,400

Disclosure:
The final salary awarded for this role may vary from the above range based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs. The wage range provided in this job posting may be subject to change for business purposes.

About Us

At WSP, we exist to shape communities to advance humanity.
It’s why we bring people together who are wired to solve complex challenges - engineers, scientists, advisors, and technical experts who are driven by a common passion - to redefine what’s possible and shape what comes next. We are Visioneers.
As one of the world’s leading professional services firms, we partner with clients across transportation, infrastructure, environment, buildings, energy, water, mining and metals. We pair deep local knowledge with global insights to pioneer solutions designed to leave a lasting, positive impact.
At WSP, you’ll join a community of brilliant minds that push boundaries every day - applying deep expertise and fuelling innovation to help create a more connected and resilient future. Here, your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and you are encouraged to bring your authentic self to work. We empower our people to collaborate across disciplines, challenge the status quo, and shape a career with purpose.
Join us.

Health and Safety is a core paramount value of WSP. Given the importance of keeping one another safe it is expected that you comply with our Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) policy at all times as well as client HSE policies when working at client locations. Full details here.

Some safety-sensitive positions involve fieldwork and may include work in a variety of environmental conditions, such as remote or isolated areas, working alone, and in inclement weather (within safe and reasonable limits).

WSP welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

WSP is committed to the principles of employment equity. Only the candidates selected will be contacted.