Sr. Director of Projects

Crane Freight; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Crane Worldwide Logistics is seeking a Senior Project Director for the Northern Europe region to lead commercial development, operational execution, and financial performance across Industrial Projects. This role concentrates on scalable project logistics solutions and high-value cargo movements, with travel as required.

The role may be performed from a home office or office-based environment, with regional travel and international collaboration to build a high-performing team and ensure

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required.
• Significant experience in project logistics, project cargo, freight forwarding, or industrial transportation environments is essential.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Business Development: drive regional Industrial Projects strategy and develop opportunities with industrial clients and stakeholders.
• Project Solution Design & Technical Oversight: oversee end-to-end project logistics solutions, route assessments, and feasibility reviews.
• Operational Execution & Delivery: manage complex project cargo movements including heavy-lift, breakbulk, and time-critical deliveries while ensuring safety and customer satisfaction.
• Stakeholder & Client Management: act as senior contact for customers and partners, build long-term relationships and coordinate with authorities as needed.
• Leadership & Capability Development: mentor regional project teams and promote governance, standards, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Multimodal transport

International experience

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Logistics, Supply Chain, or Business

Tools

Microsoft Office

TMS software

Job description

Crane Worldwide Logistics is a leader in supply chain solutions with over 130 locations across 30 countries providing individual services that address our client's logistics challenges.

Crane Worldwide Logistics operational specialists are highly skilled in assessing the packing, lifting, transportation and securing requirements for your most challenging oversized and out of gauge cargo movements. Project Logistics problems - solved!

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Senior Project Director – Northern Europe is responsible for leading the commercial development, operational execution, and financial performance of the Industrial Projects business across the region.

This role carries regional commercial and operational responsibility and is focused on developing scalable project logistics solutions, delivering complex and high-value cargo movements including heavy-lift, breakbulk, and out-of-gauge shipments. The successful candidate will support growth across sectors such as energy, infrastructure, industrial manufacturing, renewables, and engineering projects, while helping to build a collaborative, high-performing team environment and ensuring consistent delivery standards across the region.

The role may be performed from a home office or office-based environment, depending on business and operational requirements, with occasional regional and international travel as required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION

Strategic Leadership & Business Development

• Support and execute the regional Industrial Projects strategy aligned with broader business objectives
• Identify, develop, and secure project logistics opportunities with industrial clients, EPC contractors, and project stakeholders
• Support RFQs, tenders, and solution-based commercial proposals for complex logistics projects
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline across target sectors including energy, infrastructure, renewables, and industrial manufacturing
• Develop strategic relationships and support regional market growth initiatives

Project Solution Design & Technical Oversight

• Oversee the development of end-to-end project logistics solutions, including multimodal transportation strategies
• Support technical feasibility reviews including route assessments, transport planning, and operational risk evaluation
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external service providers on lifting, transportation, and installation planning where required
• Review technical and commercial proposals to ensure operational and commercial viability

Operational Execution & Delivery

Oversee execution of complex project cargo movements, including:

• Heavy-lift and oversized cargo
• Breakbulk and charter shipments
• Time-critical and milestone-driven deliveries
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and in line with customer expectations
• Coordinate with subcontractors, carriers, and specialist logistics provider
• Promote operational excellence, risk mitigation, and compliance with applicable safety and regulatory standards
• Own full regional P&L, including revenue growth and margin performance
• Support regional revenue growth and profitability objectives
• Develop pricing models and commercial solutions for complex projects
• Monitor financial performance, forecasting, and project cost control
• Support procurement activities and vendor management to ensure commercial effectiveness

Stakeholder & Client Management

• Act as a senior contact for customers, project stakeholders, and strategic partners
• Build and maintain strong long-term business relationships
• Coordinate with relevant authorities, regulatory bodies, and logistics partners as required
• Represent the business in customer meetings, commercial discussions, and industry events

Leadership & Capability Development

• Support the development of a collaborative and high-performing regional projects team.
• Promote consistent operating procedures, governance standards, and best practices.
• Mentor and support the development of project logistics personnel and internal talent
• Encourage continuous improvement in execution quality, customer service, and operational performance

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Talking, hearing and using hands to operate computer equipment
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to originate and close complex project business
• Deep understanding of project logistics including heavy-lift, breakbulk, and OOG transport
• Experience with multimodal transport planning and execution across international markets.
• Strong leadership and team-building capabilities
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities within fast-paced and deadline-driven environments
• Commercially minded with strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilitiesStrong organizational skills with attention to detail and operational execution
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and logistics or transport management systems preferred
• Ability to work effectively within an international and multicultural business environment

EDUCATION AND DIRECT WORK EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree required (Engineering, Logistics, Supply Chain, or Business preferred) or related discipline
• Significant experience within project logistics, project cargo, freight forwarding, or industrial transportation environments
• Experience managing complex logistics solutions and customer projects across international markets
• Proven background in commercial development, customer relationship management, and operational delivery
• Experience working with EPC, infrastructure, industrial, energy, or renewable sector customers is advantageous
• Previous experience leading regional teams or cross-functional project activities preferred

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENCES

• Project Management certification (PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent) preferred
• Additional technical or engineering certifications are an advantage
• Valid passport and ability to travel internationally as required by business needs

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.