Project Director

CIH International Housing Group; Leeds; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Dalkia UK is seeking a Project Director to lead complex energy, infrastructure and decarbonisation programmes in the Northern team. You will take accountability from early design development through construction, commissioning and handover, guiding multidisciplinary teams to successful outcomes.

You will build lasting client relationships, drive delivery performance across cost, time and quality, and mentor Project Managers while championing safety, inclusion and continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading complex projects or portfolios valued up to £30m.
• Strong commercial acumen with governance responsibility for finance and contracts.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and third-party contractors.
• Strong knowledge of NEC and JCT contracts.
• Understanding of the full EPC lifecycle—from IGA/design through construction, commissioning and M&V.
• Proven ability to build relationships and influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience operating at senior leadership and client board level.
• Commitment to Net Zero, sustainability and energy/carbon reduction.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of major programmes with accountability for cost, time, quality and safety.
• Build trusted client relationships; chair project boards and lead senior steering groups.
• Develop and implement programme strategy; manage inter-project dependencies and governance.
• Coach and develop Project Managers and delivery teams; promote a positive, inclusive culture.
• Identify opportunities, risks and efficiencies; support bids, mobilisation and early feasibility.

Skills

Programme leadership

Commercial acumen

Team leadership

Client relationship

Stakeholder mgmt

Education

Engineering degree

APM qualification

Job description

About Dalkia UK

Jointly owned by EDF Energy and Dalkia, we are a leading UK technical services provider, delivering engineering, facilities management and energy solutions nationwide.

With 5,000+ employees and £600m+ turnover, we combine the strength of a major group with a people-first culture, innovation mindset and inclusive values making Dalkia a great place to grow your career.

Project Director

Lead major programmes. Build lasting client partnerships. Make a difference to the UK's Net Zero journey.

We're looking for an exceptional Project Director to join our Northern team and play a key role in the successful delivery of complex energy, infrastructure and decarbonisation programmes.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for someone who combines strong project delivery expertise with commercial acumen, client leadership and a genuine ability to inspire people.

You’ll take strategic and operational accountability for a major client programme or small portfolio of projects, potentially valued at up to £30m, leading multidisciplinary teams and ensuring successful outcomes from early design development through construction, commissioning and handover.

Your opportunity to make an impact

As Project Director, you’ll be the senior accountable leader for your client relationship, providing clear direction across projects and ensuring we deliver against cost, time, quality, safety and customer expectations.

You’ll work closely with our Regional Director and colleagues across the wider business, providing leadership across delivery, commercial, financial and operational performance.

This is a role for someone who enjoys being visible and influential - whether that’s building relationships with senior clients, leading project boards, supply chain partners and coaching Project Managers or finding smarter ways to deliver.

You’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to the continued growth of Dalkia, identifying opportunities within client accounts, supporting bids and mobilisation, and helping shape how we deliver projects as our business evolves.

What you'll be responsible for

Leading delivery

• Have a genuine passion for people and show that the safety and wellbeing of our teams is priority in all that you do.
• Take overall accountability for programme and portfolio performance across cost, time, quality and delivery.
• Develop and own the programme strategy, managing inter-project dependencies and priorities.
• Provide strong governance across commercial, financial, operational, risk and QSHE performance.
• Maintain oversight of commercial performance of the projects by ensuring strong financial management and governance.
• Drive lessons learned and continuous improvement across the portfolio.

Building trusted client relationships

• Act as the senior point of contact for clients across all delivery matters.
• Build long-term relationships based on trust, transparency and accountability.
• Chair client project boards and represent Dalkia at senior steering groups.
• Support commercial negotiations, change management, contract amendments and risk allocation.

Leading and developing people

• Promote the safety and wellbeing of your teams.
• Provide leadership and direction to Project Managers, Site Managers and multidisciplinary delivery teams.
• Coach and develop your people, identifying capability and training requirements.
• Create a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture.
• Encourage collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

Driving improvement and growth

• Work with senior leaders to shape operational strategy and improve delivery systems and processes.
• Identify opportunities, risks and efficiencies across the portfolio.
• Support bids, mobilisation and early-stage feasibility.
• Provide delivery insight to support business growth and strengthen client relationships.
• Champion innovation, efficiency and sustainability across design and delivery.

Championing safety

• Set the standard for a strong safety culture across your projects.
• Ensure compliance with Dalkia policies, statutory requirements and industry best practice.
• Work closely with QSHE colleagues on investigations, root-cause analysis and corrective actions.

What you'll bring

We're looking for an experienced senior project leader with a strong background in engineering, construction, energy or energy performance contracting.

You’ll ideally have:

• Proven experience leading complex projects or portfolios valued up to £30m.
• Strong commercial acumen, including commercial and financial governance responsibility.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and third-party contractors.
• Strong knowledge of NEC and JCT contracts.
• A strong understanding of the full EPC project lifecycle - from IGA and design through construction, commissioning and M&V.
• A proven ability to build relationships and influence senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience operating confidently at senior leadership and client board level.
• Experience implementing governance, systems and processes within a growing or changing business.
• A genuine passion for Net Zero, sustainability and energy/carbon reduction.

An engineering or construction-related degree and APM qualification would be advantageous, as would experience delivering energy and carbon reduction or retrofit projects.

You’ll also need to be eligible to live and work in the UK and hold a full, valid UK driving licence.

The person we’re looking for

Technical expertise is important, but leadership is what will make you stand out. A passion for our customers and our people and stakeholders.

You’ll be a natural leader who builds confidence with clients, brings energy to your teams and takes ownership of outcomes.

You’ll be commercially aware, delivery-focused and comfortable making decisions in complex environments. You’ll know when to challenge, when to collaborate and when to get involved and make things happen.

You’ll be equally comfortable discussing strategy with senior stakeholders, working through a commercial challenge with colleagues or supporting your Project Managers to deliver successfully.

Above all, you’ll be someone who wants to make a genuine difference - to our clients, our people and the UK’s transition to a lower‑carbon future.

Our Values

• People First - health, safety and wellbeing come first
• Better Together - collaborative, respectful teamwork
• Trusted Partners - committed to our clients’ success
• Taking Responsibility - making a positive difference

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

We’re committed to an inclusive and fair recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, let us know in confidence our team is here to support you.