Lead Project Manager/Project Director

GHD Group Pty Ltd•Ottawa, ON

About The Position

GHD is seeking a Senior Project Manager / Project Director to lead GHD’s involvement in the delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects, delivered under long-term programs with complex governance, multiple work packages, and extended execution horizons. This role is tailored for a senior project leader with deep experience in infrastructure, in Energy and related spaces. This role is intended to be dedicated to major programs, with primary accountability for proposal leadership, early delivery planning, and execution readiness, and the potential to transition into execution-phase leadership as projects are awarded. The position suits a senior PM with experience in infrastructure projects with strong interface management with construction partners, and the ability to operate effectively in owner-led, compliance-heavy delivery environments. The successful candidate will lead complex, multidisciplinary teams through all phases of infrastructure delivery, act as a trusted advisor to owners, and help grow GHD’s reputation. As a Senior Project Manager / Project Director, you will have overall accountability for the successful delivery of projects, from early development through construction support. You will lead project teams, manage client relationships, oversee scope, schedule, budget, and risk, and ensure high-quality outcomes aligned with GHD’s safety, quality, and sustainability standards. This role combines strong project and program leadership with deep understanding of large-infrastructure delivery, including: Leading EOIs, RFQs, and RFPs for major work packages. Managing GHD’s interfaces with construction partners and owners. Establishing project controls, governance, and delivery structures suitable for long-term remediation programs.

Requirements

12-15+ years of experience delivering large infrastructure, or federal/public-sector projects.
Strong understanding of how hydropower infrastructure is planned, designed, procured, and constructed.
Experience working across multiple offices, regions, and time zones.
Demonstrated experience with remote, northern, or logistically complex projects.
Strong understanding of owner-led delivery models, compliance obligations, and public accountability.
Experience working alongside construction-focused partners where consulting, engineering, and construction roles are clearly differentiated.
Proven experience managing complex, multidisciplinary projects or programs.
Proven ability to lead multi-package, multi-stakeholder programs.
Strong project controls mindset: planning, scope integration, budget and cost, schedule, risk, and reporting.
Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, evolving project environments.
Strong client-facing, partner-facing, and executive communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities.
Degree in Engineering or related discipline.
Professional engineering designation.

Nice To Haves

Experience with a range of delivery models (e.g., Design‑Bid‑Build, Design‑Build, EPCM, Alliance, P3) is an asset.
Bilingual (French and English), spoken and written is an asset.

Responsibilities

Act as Project Manager or Project Director on major projects, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and to agreed technical and quality standards.
Act as GHD’s Senior Project Manager / Project Director for bids and awarded packages.
Lead multiple concurrent bid packages and delivery planning activities across rolling procurement schedules.
Support and oversee multidisciplinary project teams, manage interfaces between project phases and delivery teams to ensure integrated and constructible design solutions.
Establish and manage project governance, scope, schedule, cost, risk, and change management frameworks.
Support clients through procurement activities, including tender documentation, technical evaluations, and construction support.
Provide a single point of accountability for GHD delivery across all assigned remediation projects.
Serve as primary interface between GHD, owners, and construction partners, ensuring alignment on strategy, scope, resourcing, and delivery approach.
Support owners through oversight, reporting, and compliance requirements.
Manage coordination across multiple stakeholders in complex environments.
Maintain clear communication pathways and issue resolution mechanisms across all parties.
Provide integrated leadership across GHD’s typical delivery scopes, including: Engineering for utilities and infrastructure (civil works, water management, power supply, control systems). Environmental compliance, monitoring, and reporting. Permitting, stakeholder engagement and consultation. Health and industrial hygiene management. Quality management. Project management, controls, cost, and scheduling for GHD’s scope.
Overseeing feasibility, concept, reference design, and detailed design phases.
Ensuring designs are constructible, risk-informed, and aligned with expected construction methodologies.
Managing uncertainty, risk and associated mitigation strategies.
Ensuring alignment with applicable codes, guidelines, best practices and owner standards.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with utilities, developers, and public-sector clients.
Act as a senior point of contact for clients throughout project delivery.
Identify new opportunities and contribute to GHD’s growth.
Support preparation of service proposals, tenders, and technical submissions.
Collaborate with market leaders, relationship managers, and discipline leaders to develop sustainable market presence.
Mentor and support project managers, engineers, and junior staff.
Contribute to building and strengthening GHD’s hydropower delivery capability.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance project culture.
Uphold GHD’s commitment to health, safety, quality, and environmental performance.
Lead the successful delivery of projects from development through execution.
Provide sound project and technical oversight during design, procurement, and construction phases.
Deliver high-confidence, execution-ready leadership.
Deliver clear, concise reports and presentations to clients and stakeholders.
Position GHD as a trusted, outcome-focused advisor to owners and partners.
Build scalable delivery structures capable of supporting long-term program work.
Actively support business development and market growth for GHD.
Uphold GHD’s standards for safety, quality, environmental performance, and Indigenous engagement.
Build strong internal relationships across GHD’s five Markets and associated Service Lines.