Director of Construction and Real Estate

COHERENT; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Annual incentive eligibility

Employer-supported pension

Health, wellbeing programmes

Life and income-protection benefits

Flexible-working arrangements

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

Coherent is seeking a Director, Real Estate & Construction Project Management to lead European manufacturing and office locations, ensuring facilities support business continuity and growth.

You will manage a diverse portfolio across Europe, partner with regional leaders, oversee budgets and contracts, and drive continuous improvements in space utilization and KPI reporting. Fluent English required; ten-plus years in engineering or construction management preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management or a related field.
• At least 10 years’ experience in engineering or construction management, including 5 or more years managing construction projects in a corporate environment.
• Experience leading multiple projects and contractors at the same time, with a strong record of managing scope, cost, schedule and delivery.
• Strong project and construction management capability, including scope development, equipment-layout planning, RFP development, contractor selection and construction oversight.
• Knowledge of safety and environmental requirements, EH&S practices and the handling of hazardous or toxic substances.
• Understanding of cleanroom environments, tool installation and equipment hookups; experience in semiconductor, laser or other advanced manufacturing environments would be an advantage.
• Familiarity with work-order platforms, KPI reporting and building management systems (BMS).
• Excellent organization, leadership, communication and presentation skills, including the ability to explain project status and recommendations to audiences at different levels.
• A collaborative, influential approach, with the judgment to work through differing views, negotiate constructively and draw on the expertise of others.
• The ability to turn plans and goals into action, engage teams, evaluate progress and provide useful feedback and solutions.
• Fluent written and spoken English, with high standards of ethics and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Lead a diverse portfolio of real estate, construction and facilities initiatives across Europe, from early planning and scope definition through delivery and handover.
• Partner with regional business leaders, local facility teams and the global facilities function in a matrixed organization, aligning priorities and turning business needs into practical plans.
• Coordinate architects, engineers, consultants, vendors and contractors; develop specifications and RFPs; support contractor selection; and oversee work to agreed quality, safety, schedule and budget standards.
• Manage project budgets, resources, contracts, schedules and risks, providing clear, consistent capital-project updates and recommendations to senior leaders.
• Support local facility leaders with planning and budgeting for modifications, including estimates for equipment, labour, materials and related costs.
• Maintain regional facilities-footprint metrics in line with corporate standards and report regularly to the global head of facilities.
• Identify opportunities to improve space utilization and reduce facilities, utilities and investment costs while protecting service quality and operational reliability.
• Assess operational and project risks, develop mitigation plans, and support site closures and other complex facility changes when required.
• Help standardize facilities practices, strengthen KPI reporting and improve coordination across sites.
• Handle confidential technical, operational and business information with sound judgment.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Budget oversight

Education

Engineering/Construction degree

Tools

Building Management Systems (BMS)

KPI reporting tools

Job description

Coherent is a global leader in photonics, developing advanced laser, optical and materials technologies that enable semiconductor manufacturing, AI infrastructure, advanced communications and precision industrial applications worldwide.

Director, Real Estate & Construction Project Management

What You’ll Be Doing

Lead the performance and strategic development of Coherent’s European manufacturing and office locations, ensuring our facilities support business continuity, operational excellence and future growth.

• Lead a diverse portfolio of real estate, construction and facilities initiatives across Europe, from early planning and scope definition through delivery and handover.

• Partner with regional business leaders, local facility teams and the global facilities function in a matrixed organization, aligning priorities and turning business needs into practical plans.

• Coordinate architects, engineers, consultants, vendors and contractors; develop specifications and RFPs; support contractor selection; and oversee work to agreed quality, safety, schedule and budget standards.

• Manage project budgets, resources, contracts, schedules and risks, providing clear, consistent capital-project updates and recommendations to senior leaders.

• Support local facility leaders with planning and budgeting for modifications, including estimates for equipment, labour, materials and related costs.

• Maintain regional facilities-footprint metrics in line with corporate standards and report regularly to the global head of facilities.

• Identify opportunities to improve space utilization and reduce facilities, utilities and investment costs while protecting service quality and operational reliability.

• Assess operational and project risks, develop mitigation plans, and support site closures and other complex facility changes when required.

• Help standardize facilities practices, strengthen KPI reporting and improve coordination across sites.

• Handle confidential technical, operational and business information with sound judgment.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management or a related field.

• At least 10 years’ experience in engineering or construction management, including 5 or more years managing construction projects in a corporate environment.

• Experience leading multiple projects and contractors at the same time, with a strong record of managing scope, cost, schedule and delivery.

• Strong project and construction management capability, including scope development, equipment-layout planning, RFP development, contractor selection and construction oversight.

• Knowledge of safety and environmental requirements, EH&S practices and the handling of hazardous or toxic substances.

• Understanding of cleanroom environments, tool installation and equipment hookups; experience in semiconductor, laser or other advanced manufacturing environments would be an advantage.

• Familiarity with work-order platforms, KPI reporting and building management systems (BMS).

• Excellent organization, leadership, communication and presentation skills, including the ability to explain project status and recommendations to audiences at different levels.

• A collaborative, influential approach, with the judgment to work through differing views, negotiate constructively and draw on the expertise of others.

• The ability to turn plans and goals into action, engage teams, evaluate progress and provide useful feedback and solutions.

• Fluent written and spoken English, with high standards of ethics and professionalism.

What We Offer

Our benefits vary by country and role. Depending on your location, your package may include:

• Competitive base salary and annual incentive eligibility

• Employer-supported pension or retirement provision

• Health, wellbeing and employee-assistance programmes

• Life and income-protection benefits

• Flexible-working arrangements, where compatible with the role

• Learning and professional-development opportunities

• Employee recognition and share programmes.

Our ICARE Values

How we work is just as important as what we achieve. Everyone at Coherent is expected to demonstrate our ICARE values:

• Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust
• Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
• Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
• Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
• Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

ABOUT US

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!