Head of Projects

North Star Shipping; Kingswells; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

North Star Ltd in the United Kingdom is seeking a Head of Projects to own the vessel newbuild portfolio from contract award through design, construction and handover. The role offers high visibility and the opportunity to shape the next generation of offshore vessels.

You will lead cross-functional teams across shipyards, designers and suppliers, drive CAPEX, schedule, quality and risk control, and establish robust governance and stage gates to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery and compliant

Qualifications

• Experience delivering vessel newbuild programmes from concept to service.
• Strong knowledge of shipbuilding contracts, design, and project controls.
• Proven ability to manage CAPEX, schedule, and risk across large portfolios.

Responsibilities

• Lead vessel newbuild delivery with governance and stage gates.
• Ensure shipyard performance and on-time, within-budget delivery.
• Collaborate with Class, Flag, clients, and suppliers.
• Drive early risk identification and recovery actions.
• Deliver vessels meeting contractual, regulatory, and operational requirements.

Skills

Vessel newbuilds

Project leadership

Shipyard management

Risk management

Contract management

Education

Engineering degree

Naval Architecture background

PM Certification

Tools

Primavera P6

Contracts management software

Job description

This is an opportunity to lead major vessel newbuilds from contract award through to successful entry into service, with the authority and visibility to make a real impact. Join North Star and help deliver the next generation of vessels shaping our future fleet.

Every day, North Star vessels support some of the most demanding offshore operations in the world. As our offshore wind fleet grows, we are investing in the next generation of vessels needed to deliver that growth safely, reliably and successfully.

We’re looking for an experienced Head of Projects to take ownership of North Star’s vessel newbuild portfolio. This is a high-impact leadership role with responsibility for newbuild delivery, shipyard performance, commercial control, governance, risk and operational readiness.

You’ll lead North Star’s newbuild delivery function, taking vessels from approved business case and contract award through design, construction, commissioning, trials, acceptance and operational handover. You’ll ensure shipyards and suppliers deliver against their commitments, risks are identified early and each vessel enters service safely, on time and ready to perform.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading vessel newbuild programmes from tender evaluation and contract award through design, construction, commissioning, trials, acceptance and entry into service.

• Driving clear control of newbuild scope, CAPEX, schedule, quality, risk, resources and contractual deliverables across the portfolio.

• Establishing robust newbuild governance, stage gates, project controls, reporting, change control and decision-making.

• Managing shipyard, designer and OEM performance, while maintaining effective relationships with Class, Flag, clients, contractors and key suppliers.

• Integrating technical, QHSSE, commercial, supply chain, crewing, training, spares, documentation and operational-readiness requirements before vessel acceptance.

• Building capable site and project teams, with clear accountabilities across design review, construction supervision, commissioning and handover.

• Identifying design, construction and supply-chain risk early, and leading the interventions and recovery actions needed to protect safety, quality, cost and schedule.

• Delivering vessels that meet contractual, regulatory, client and operational requirements from the point of entry into service.

What we’re looking for

You may be a current Head of Projects, Project Director, Newbuild Director, Senior Project Manager or experienced Newbuild Manager ready to step into a broader leadership role with greater portfolio and commercial accountability. You’ll bring significant experience delivering vessel newbuild programmes, with a strong understanding of shipbuilding contracts, design development, project controls, CAPEX, claims, shipyard management, commissioning, trials, acceptance and fleet handover.

Just as importantly, you’ll be a visible, credible and commercially minded leader who is comfortable operating in shipyard and international project environments. You’ll have the judgement to challenge constructively, make sound decisions and escal ...

Experience delivering SOVs, CSOVs or other complex offshore support vessel newbuilds would be particularly valuable, including DP systems, hybrid propulsion, mission equipment and offshore wind requirements. A relevant engineering, naval architecture, marine or project-management background, supported by APM, PMI, IPMA or equivalent accreditation and strong Primavera P6 or comparable project-controls capability, would also be valuable.

Why North Star?

North Star is the UK’s leading integrated ship owner and operator, delivering mission-critical services to the offshore energy industry. As our offshore wind fleet continues to grow, this role offers the opportunity to lead the delivery of the vessels and systems that will support the next generation of offshore operations.

You’ll join a business with ambitious growth plans, strong values and a genuine commitment to safety, people development and operational excellence. You’ll have real accountability, direct access to senior leadership and the authority to influence outcomes across technically complex, internationally delivered newbuild programmes.