Project Director

Cognisant; Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognisant is seeking an experienced Project Director to take overall responsibility for the delivery of complex, large-scale development and regeneration projects in Manchester. The role requires senior leadership, commercial awareness and the ability to manage projects through the full lifecycle.

You will coordinate professional teams, contractors and stakeholders, provide strategic direction, and oversee programme, budget, risk, quality and delivery while contributing to business development

Qualifications

• Proven leadership of multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong stakeholder engagement at senior levels.
• Strategic delivery with focus on value and outcomes.
• Commercial awareness and ability to manage budgets.

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for successful delivery of complex, large-scale development projects from inception to completion.
• Lead multi-disciplinary project teams, providing direction and decision-making.
• Establish and manage programmes, budgets, procurement strategies and delivery plans.
• Oversee appointment and management of consultants, contractors and advisers.
• Manage development budgets, forecasting and cashflow; monitor performance against plan.
• Provide clear reporting to senior management and project stakeholders.
• Support business development, bidding and work-winning opportunities.
• Promote sustainability, health and safety, quality and value throughout delivery.
• Develop strong relationships with clients, partners, consultants and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Commercial awareness

Delivery leadership

Programme governance

Negotiation

Risk management

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Project Director to take overall responsibility for the delivery of complex, large-scale development and regeneration projects.

This is a senior role requiring strong leadership, commercial awareness and the ability to manage projects through the full development lifecycle. You will work across multi-phase developments, coordinating professional teams, contractors, stakeholders and partners to ensure successful delivery.

You will be responsible for providing strategic direction while maintaining oversight of programme, budget, risk, quality and delivery.

The role will also involve contributing to business development and work-winning opportunities, developing strong relationships with clients, partners, consultants and other key stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the successful delivery of complex development projects from inception through to completion.
• Lead and manage multi-disciplinary project teams, providing direction, support and effective decision-making.
• Establish and manage project programmes, budgets, procurement strategies and delivery plans.
• Lead the appointment and management of consultants, contractors and other professional advisers.
• Oversee the pre-construction process, procurement and contractor appointment.
• Manage development budgets, forecasting, expenditure and cashflow.
• Monitor project performance against programme, budget, quality and agreed objectives.
• Manage risks, issues and changes, taking appropriate action to maintain project momentum.
• Lead the approvals, governance and reporting processes required throughout the development lifecycle.
• Oversee construction delivery, quality, compliance, completion and handover.
• Ensure contractual, funding and third-party agreements are progressed effectively.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, consultants, contractors and other stakeholders.
• Provide clear and concise reporting to senior management and project stakeholders.
• Support business development, bidding and work-winning activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve project delivery, processes and ways of working.
• Promote high standards of sustainability, social value, health and safety and quality throughout project delivery.
• Lead, mentor and develop Project Managers and other members of the project team.
• Share learning and best practice across the wider business.

Experience & Background

• Significant experience in project management within property development, construction, regeneration or a related environment.
• Proven track record of delivering complex, large-scale or multi-phase developments from inception through to completion.
• Experience leading and developing project teams.
• Strong understanding of the full development and construction lifecycle.
• Experience of consultant and contractor procurement and appointment.
• Strong financial and commercial management experience, including budgets, forecasting and cashflow.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships and third-party agreements.
• Experience of governance, approvals and senior-level reporting.
• Experience contributing to business development, bidding or work-winning activity.
• Strong understanding of construction, procurement and contract management.
• Good knowledge of planning, development, construction and regulatory requirements.
• Experience working within complex stakeholder environments and managing competing priorities.

Key Skills

Leadership

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Ability to lead, motivate and develop high-performing teams.
• Confident operating at senior level and influencing key decision-makers.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage complex projects and multiple workstreams simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of programme, risk and change management.
• Strong commercial awareness and financial management capability.
• Ability to manage budgets, forecast expenditure and maintain financial control.
• Understanding of procurement and contractual processes.

Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Confident presenting to senior stakeholders.
• Strong negotiation, influencing and relationship-building skills.

Strategic & Commercial Thinking

• Ability to take a strategic view while maintaining focus on delivery.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability.
• Commercially minded with an understanding of development viability and market conditions.
• Ability to identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.

Personal Attributes

• Credible and confident senior leader.
• Results-driven with a strong focus on delivery.
• Commercially astute and pragmatic.
• Highly organised and comfortable managing complexity.
• Resilient and able to operate effectively under pressure.
• Collaborative, approachable and supportive.
• Strong attention to detail without losing sight of the bigger picture.