Global Director, Project Management

ATS Automation•Orange Township, OH

About The Position

The Global Director, Project Management provides strategic leadership and oversight of the global Project Management function. The role leads Program Managers, Project Managers, and Project Coordinators across the full project lifecycle, from purchase order through installation, commissioning, customer acceptance, and transition to long-term service. The Director is accountable for project execution excellence, ensuring projects are delivered safely, predictably, and profitably while meeting schedule, quality, and customer satisfaction commitments. The Director establishes and strengthens project management standards, governance, performance management, resource planning, risk management, talent development, and continuous improvement practices. Working with business leaders and cross-functional teams across Canada and the United States, as well as global stakeholders as required, the role promotes consistency, visibility, and accountability in project execution and aligns the Project Management organization with broader business priorities. The position leads teams based at ATS facilities in Canada and the United States and remote team members globally. It owns utilization, workforce planning, organizational design, and staffing strategy for the Project Management organization. The role also supports project managers with project-related issues, project assignments, quoting and budget-setting, performance appraisals, and department processes and standards. The Director has manager-level Health, Safety, and Environment responsibilities, including fostering a positive safety culture, ensuring training and compliance, and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace. Travel of at least 25% is required, primarily throughout Canada and the United States, with international travel as business needs require.

Requirements

Post-secondary college diploma, engineering degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience; preferably in electronics, electrical, mechanical, controls engineering, or a related field.
Minimum of 10 years' experience leading multi-disciplined project teams.
Practical working knowledge of factory automation, including robots, PLCs, instrumentation or other machine control packages, sensors, and pneumatics.
Ability and willingness to travel at least 25% of the time, primarily throughout Canada and the United States, with international travel as business needs require.
PMP designation must be completed within two years of the start date.

Nice To Haves

Project Management Professional (PMP) designation is an asset.
Experience leading multi-disciplined project teams in an automation or systems integration environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

Achieve project management group objectives and direct the team toward world-class performance standards.
Lead Project Management team members at ATS facilities in Canada and the United States and remote team members located globally.
Ensure projects are completed efficiently according to schedules and budgets and meet specified quality standards.
Track performance using defined project management metrics and recommend or implement corrective actions and improvements.
Collaborate with other core functions to streamline methodologies, leverage internal strengths, and develop efficient teamwork and concise procedures that target performance and customer expectations.
Support Project Managers with project-related issues.
Assign projects to Project Managers based on their skills and experience.
Own utilization, workforce planning, organizational design, and staffing strategy for the Project Management organization in alignment with global business requirements.
Prepare performance plans and appraisals for the Project Management team.
Review and approve CORs.
Support quoting efforts to establish project budgets.
Ensure the competence of the Project Management teams.
Manage department processes and standards, ensuring alignment with higher-level requirements, team training, and publication of processes to the QMS.
Demonstrate leadership in Health, Safety, and Environment compliance.
Hold team members accountable for HSE compliance as part of annual performance reviews.
Ensure HSE management system requirements are implemented and maintained.
Carry out hazard assessments, inspections, and audits as required by legislation or corporate requirements.
Ensure departmental employees receive training according to the established training matrix.
Implement corrective measures for unsafe conditions and unsafe acts.
Ensure appropriate equipment, materials, and protective devices are provided and maintained in safe condition.
Provide information, instruction, and supervision to employees.
Take every reasonable precaution in the circumstances to protect employees.