Senior Project Manager or Project Director -Defence and Federal Facilities GHD

Project Management Institute - Southern Alberta Chapter (PMI-SAC); Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 160,000 - 213,000; Full time

Job summary

GHD is seeking a Senior Project Manager/Project Director to lead complex defence and federal infrastructure initiatives across Canada. The role requires senior project leadership for a diverse portfolio, including military bases, armories, hangars, training facilities, and civic buildings, with nationwide reach.

The successful candidate will own scope, schedule, cost, risk, and delivery outcomes, coordinating multidisciplinary teams and liaising with owners, contractors, and regulators.

Qualifications

• A degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related technical discipline.
• 12+ years of progressive project delivery experience, including defence/federal projects.
• Demonstrated experience delivering projects for Defence Construction Canada (DCC) or similar federal agencies.
• Proven track record managing projects valued at $25M+, including alternate delivery models.
• Strong governance, security requirements, and procurement knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of defence and federal infrastructure projects from planning through close-out.
• Establish project governance, scope, schedules, budgets, and risk management.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams across architecture, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and security.
• Interface with clients, DCC, contractors, and delivery partners to align objectives.
• Deliver projects under various delivery models including Design‑Build, P3, and traditional methods.
• Ensure compliance with security, health & safety, and quality requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Bilingual English/French

Education

Engineering degree

Architecture

Construction Management

Job description

Job Description

Senior Project Manager/Project Director – Defence & Federal Projects

Location: Canada (Flexible)

Who are we looking for?

GHD is dedicated to addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges across water, energy, transport, and urbanization. As our Defence and Federal market continues to expand, we are seeking to strengthen our Ontario team by welcoming a Senior Project Manager/Project Director – Defence Projects into our Canadian Operations.

This role sits focuses on the successful management and delivery of secure, high‑complexity defence infrastructure projects for Canadian public‑sector clients. The successful candidate will provide senior project leadership across a diverse defence portfolio, including military bases, armories, hangars, maintenance and storage facilities, training and recreational assets, industrial and logistics facilities, and civic buildings such as fire halls and police stations, supporting operations across land, air, and naval environments nationwide.

The candidate will act as the primary point of accountability for scope, schedule, cost, risk, and delivery outcomes, coordinating multidisciplinary teams and managing interfaces with owners, contractors, and regulatory stakeholders. Experience delivering projects for Defence Construction Canada (DCC) is essential, along with a strong understanding of federal governance, security requirements, and alternative delivery models.

This opportunity is ideal for a driven and experienced project manager looking to lead large, high‑profile defence projects while contributing to the growth and capability of GHD’s defence and federal practice.

Working with an energetic and high‑performing team, this role will involve:

• Lead the end‑to‑end delivery of defence and federal infrastructure projects, from planning and procurement through design, construction, and close‑out
• Establish project governance frameworks, including scope definition, execution strategies, work plans, schedules, budgets, and risk management plans
• Manage and coordinate multidisciplinary teams across architecture, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, security, and specialty disciplines
• Act as the primary interface with clients, DCC, contractors, and delivery partners, ensuring alignment on objectives, responsibilities, and outcomes
• Deliver projects under a range of alternative delivery models, such as Design‑Build, Design‑Build‑Finance, Construction Management, Alliance, and P3, as well as traditional Design‑Bid‑Build
• Manage security, compliance, and quality requirements associated with defence and controlled facilities
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, supporting repeat work and long‑term programs
• Mentor and support the development of junior project managers and project controls staff within GHD

What you will bring to the team:

• A degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related technical discipline
• 12+ years of progressive project delivery experience, including at least 5 years on defence and/or federal projects
• Demonstrated experience delivering projects for Defence Construction Canada (DCC) or similar federal agencies
• Proven track record managing projects valued at $25M+, including those delivered under alternative delivery models
• Strong understanding of federal procurement, governance, health & safety, and security requirements
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Strong written and oral communication skills (bilingual English/French is an asset)
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects of varying scope and complexity
• A proactive, solutions‑oriented mindset with strong commercial awareness

Leadership & Team Development

• Mentor and support project managers, engineers, and junior staff.
• Contribute to building and strengthening delivery capability.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performance project culture.
• Uphold GHD’s commitment to health, safety, quality, and environmental performance.

The salary range for this position is around $160,000 to $213,000. The posted salary range represents the expected hiring range for GHD locations in its major city centers. Ranges may vary for positions in other locations. At GHD, base salary is determined by your skills, experience, qualifications, and work location. We are committed to offering competitive compensation and adhering to all relevant pay transparency legislation.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in recruiting is just getting started and may be used during the process to improve efficiency and fairness. Your application may be reviewed by both AI and our hiring team. While AI supports some steps through the process, all final hiring decisions are made by humans

As a diverse and inclusive organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. Upon request, GHD will provide reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment and selection process.

This position is for an existing vacancy.