Divisional Projects Director (Europe)

CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS); Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Car allowance

Bonus

Private medical

Flexible working

Job summary

CBRE Global Workplace Solutions is seeking a Divisional Projects Director to lead project delivery across eight European countries from a central regional hub. You will coach Heads of Projects and align regional priorities with local markets in a highly collaborative, matrixed environment.

You'll influence senior stakeholders, ensure governance and risk management, drive capability development, and balance regional objectives with local priorities while maintaining CBRE's standards and values.

Qualifications

• Significant senior-level experience in project management leadership within a complex, multi-country setting.
• Proven ability to lead, coach and develop senior project professionals without direct reporting lines.
• Strong understanding of decentralised/local operating models and regional vs local ownership.

Responsibilities

• Provide functional leadership for eight European countries through Heads of Projects and project teams.
• Coach Heads of Projects and develop regional capability across multiple markets.
• Influence outcomes across a complex matrix organisation without direct authority.
• Ensure governance, risk management and delivery quality across the regional portfolio.
• Drive continuous improvement and promote CBRE's values across markets.

Skills

Senior project leadership

Cross-country leadership

Stakeholder management

Decentralised operating model

Commercial acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

ABOUT CBRE GLOBAL WORKPLACE SOLUTIONS

CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) is part of CBRE Group and employs more than 155,000 people worldwide. We deliver fully integrated solutions across real estate, facilities management and technology for owners, occupiers and investors globally. As the world's leading provider of workplace solutions in more than 100 countries, we help our clients solve complex challenges across the entire building lifecycle.

At CBRE, we believe that diversity strengthens our business. We welcome applications from talented professionals from all backgrounds, experiences and industries, even if you do not meet every single requirement listed.

The role can be based in London (UK), Amsterdam (NL), Oslo (NO), Stockholm (SE), Paris (FR), Dublin (IE) or Lisbon (PT). Join us and become part of a global organisation where your expertise, ideas and leadership can make a lasting impact.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Divisional Projects Director will provide functional leadership for project delivery across eight European countries, working through locally based Heads of Projects and in close partnership with Business Unit Directors and senior leadership teams.

Operating within CBRE's Local Operating Model, this role requires a highly collaborative and influential leadership style. While the Divisional Projects Director will set regional direction, strengthen project capabilities and drive consistent standards and performance, many operational and people decisions remain within the individual countries. Success will therefore depend on the ability to create alignment, influence senior stakeholders and achieve results across a complex matrix organisation without relying on direct reporting lines.

A key focus of the role will be to coach, guide and develop the Heads of Projects across the region, providing strategic direction, technical and commercial expertise, and constructive challenge where required. The Director will enable and support local Heads of Projects in growing and successfully managing their respective project portfolios, while ensuring strong governance, consistent delivery standards and effective risk management across the region.

The role will also act as a senior escalation point for complex project matters and work closely with Business Unit Directors to balance regional project objectives with local business priorities. This requires someone who understands how to lead through influence, build credibility across different markets and cultures, and challenge senior stakeholders constructively when project performance or strategic priorities require intervention.

Working across multiple European markets, you will bring together local expertise, promote best practice and create greater alignment and consistency across project management activities while respecting local market requirements and decision-making responsibilities.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a senior project management leader who thrives in a complex international environment and is motivated by the opportunity to shape project delivery, develop senior project professionals and create meaningful impact across multiple European markets.

Key Responsibilities

Matrix Leadership & Project Governance

• Provide functional leadership for project delivery across eight European countries, working through locally based Heads of Projects and project teams
• Operate effectively within CBRE's Local Operating Model, setting clear regional priorities and standards while respecting local ownership and decision-making
• Provide strategic oversight of major projects and programmes, ensuring strong governance, risk management and high-quality delivery
• Drive greater consistency in project management standards and performance across the region while allowing appropriate flexibility for local market requirements

Leadership & Capability Development

• Provide coaching, strategic direction and functional leadership to Heads of Projects across the regional portfolio
• Develop project management capability across the region by sharing expertise, challenging existing approaches and supporting local leaders in building high-performing teams
• Identify capability gaps and support targeted development, training and succession planning across the Projects organisation
• Create a strong community of project leaders that promotes collaboration, knowledge sharing and best practice across countries

Stakeholder Management & Influence

• Build trusted relationships with Business Unit Directors and senior leadership teams, aligning regional project objectives with local business priorities
• Influence outcomes across a complex matrix organisation without relying on direct reporting lines or formal authority
• Constructively challenge senior stakeholders where required, creating alignment around priorities, performance expectations and necessary actions
• Act as a senior escalation point for complex project delivery issues, bringing together local and regional stakeholders to achieve practical solutions

Commercial & Project Performance

• Maintain strategic oversight of project delivery and commercial performance across the regional portfolio
• Support Heads of Projects in achieving their local objectives, providing senior guidance on commercial performance, procurement, governance, risk and delivery
• Monitor performance across countries, identify emerging risks and intervene or escal
• Ensure strong commercial discipline and appropriate oversight of project budgets, contracts and financial performance

Continuous Improvement & Collaboration

• Drive continuous improvement across project delivery, identifying opportunities to strengthen governance, efficiency, quality and operational processes
• Support Heads of Projects in strengthening client relationships and identifying opportunities to add value within their respective markets, while promoting CBRE's RISE values and a culture of collaboration, accountability and excellence

YOUR PROFILE

• Significant senior-level experience in project management leadership, ideally within a complex, multi-country and matrixed organisation
• Proven track record of providing functional leadership across geographically dispersed teams, including the ability to lead, coach and develop senior project professionals without relying on direct reporting lines
• Strong understanding of how to operate successfully within a decentralised or local operating model, balancing regional objectives with local ownership and decision-making
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility with Business Unit Directors and senior leaders, create alignment and constructively challenge where required
• Strong commercial acumen with experience overseeing project portfolios, financial performance, budgets, governance and client relationships
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic priorities into practical actions and drive consistent project standards and performance across different markets
• Strong coaching and capability-building skills, with the ability to support local Heads of Projects in strengthening their teams, delivery models and overall project performance
• Experience navigating complex project environments, managing risk and acting as a senior escalation point for challenging delivery or commercial issues
• A collaborative and pragmatic leadership style, combined with the confidence and resilience to drive outcomes in an environment where authority and accountability are shared across different stakeholders
• Strong analytical, organisational, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities
• Significant experience working across European markets and cultures
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant professional experience. PMP, CCM or comparable project management accreditation would be advantageous
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly across the European region

We are flexible regarding the location of this role, provided the successful candidate is based within a suitable European market (UK / Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Portugal or France) and able to travel regularly across the region.

OUR BENEFITS

• A unique opportunity to shape project management delivery across eight European countries and influence business decisions at senior leadership level
• A highly visible and impactful role with significant scope to strengthen project capabilities, delivery standards and commercial performance across multiple markets
• An attractive compensation package including a competitive base salary, performance-related bonus, car allowance and additional benefits
• Excellent training and development opportunities, including internationally recognised certifications and structured onboarding through our Welcome Days programme
• The opportunity to collaborate with senior leaders across Europe and build a truly international career within the world's leading workplace solutions provider
• A collaborative, inclusive and supportive culture where innovation, development and continuous improvement are encouraged
• A strong commitment to diversity, wellbeing, occupational safety and work-life balance

Do you need more reasons to join CBRE? Check out our awards:

• Best Place to Work 2026, Glassdoor
• Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality 2026, The Times
• World's Leading Facilities Management Provider for Data Centres 2026, Data Centre Magazine
• Top Company 2026, Kununu
• Best Workplace for Women 2026, LATINA Style
• Commitment to Diversity and Talent Development Award 2025, Datacloud Global Awards
• Outstanding Contribution to Skills and Training Award 2025, DCS Awards
• Best Data Centre Operator 2025, Data Centre World Awards

ARE YOU THE DIVISIONAL PROJECTS DIRECTOR WE ARE LOOKING FOR?

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

APPLICANT AI USE DISCLOSURE

We value authentic human interaction to understand each candidate's unique experience, skills and aspirations. We do not use artificial intelligence to make hiring decisions. We ask candidates to disclose any use of AI tools during the application and interview process.