Major Projects Leader - USA

GHD Group Pty Ltd•Calgary, AB

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role is pivotal in establishing, evolving, and advancing our major project delivery capability across the Eco Region. The successful candidate will be responsible for defining and assuring the application of leading practices, tools, methodologies, and processes to ensure sustained delivery success for major projects. They will also lead the application of commercial and contractual principles, manage project delivery risks, and ensure legal and contractual protections for GHD interests. Additionally, the role involves providing leadership and support to our Project Management teams through all project phases, from initiation to closeout. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Engineering, Science, or Project Management, with at least 15 years of project management experience, including leading multi-discipline teams on large-scale projects. They should possess strong leadership and staff management skills, excellent communication abilities, and a proven track record in developing and implementing project management practices within an infrastructure consulting firm.

Requirements

A Degree in Engineering
Professional Qualification – P.E., and PMP
15+ years of direct experience
Degree in Engineering, Science or Project Management
Recognized project management professional, carrying suitable authority and reputation to influence and guide leaders across the region
Minimum of 15 years of project management experience, leading multi-discipline teams in the delivery of complex and large-scale projects across multiple countries / Regions
At least 10 years of experience in projects for public, private and/or industrial clients with consulting engineering/design experience dealing with contracting partners or client
Experience in leading infrastructure and engineering projects including planning, tender phase through design, execution and construction on large scale complex projects with professional fees greater than $10M and total capex of in excess of $100M
Proven experience in developing and implementing project management practices and tools/systems within an infrastructure consulting firm
Success in developing and initiating major project opportunities within a consulting firm and negotiating commercial terms with successful outcomes
Demonstrated leadership and staff management skills to manage and mediate conflicts between team members and with clients
Strong experience and knowledge of project delivery contracts and commercial frameworks
Proven ability to make and communicate tough decisions in a timely manner
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Demonstrates self-awareness about how their decisions and attitude can impact team members and the success of a project
Proven ability to develop, mentor and lead project management professionals and technical staff

Responsibilities

Defining and assuring the application of leading practice, tools, methodologies and processes defined under the Major Projects Framework that leads to the ongoing and sustained delivery success for major projects across the Eco-Region
Defining, leading and assuring the successful application of relevant commercial and contractual principles on major projects
Defining the types and scale of project delivery risks that are prevalent across the region and providing processes, systems and competency that enable project teams to effectively address risks
Ensuring the approach to legal and contractual risks on major projects effectively protects GHD interests
Maintaining and implementing a Major Project Leaders roster for the region
Ensuring the sustained application of the processes, systems and people that make up the capability and competency needed for GHD to respond to client, market and industry needs, while delivering operational and strategic success for the Enterprise.
Providing leadership, input and support to our Project Management teams through all phases of our larger, more complex projects.
Work effectively with the Americas PMO to meet the requirements of the Enterprise’s major project delivery needs
Establish, embed and sustain the people, systems and process elements that represent an effective and efficient major project delivery capability for Canada
Responsible for the development, rollout and implementation of any activity/changes to the major project delivery framework within Americas/Canada
Ensure there is alignment and clarity with the following supporting groups and initiatives: Americas PMO team, Engineering Design Organization (EDO), Project and Construction Management Service Line, Technical Delivery, Global Delivery, Any other corporate initiatives impacting project delivery
Effective knowledge management for critical major project delivery artifacts, lessons etc. that supports the Americas EcoRegion Major Project delivery
Work with the Project Delivery Governance Support to integrate and embed all major project processes into the enterprise-wide Project Delivery System to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the GHD project delivery activities
As needed involvement in key Enterprise-wide PMO focus areas/initiatives
Establish a sustainable roster for Major Project Leaders (PM, PD, DM/TL) that provides visibility and insights for regional leaders to make effective decisions on the right Project Directors and Project Managers for specific roles
Understand the types and scale of project delivery risks that are prevalent across the region and provide processes, systems and competency that enables local regional leadership and specific project teams to address these risks effectively
Establish and sustain the processes and artifacts that support project mobilization, project controls and commercial management and project execution for major projects of all types undertaken by GHD
Providing leadership by defining and socializing project management resources and oversight to our project management teams through all phases of the project lifecycle (including positioning, set-up, delivery and project closeout)
Establish, implement and monitor the required major project assurance process on all designated projects. Including leading the coordination and implementation of periodic reviews for major projects
Provide input into the recruitment of key major projects staff
Work with the Americas PMO team, United States Major Projects Leaderregional leadership teams to socialize, promote, instruct and advance the understanding of project delivery and the necessary skills, behavior, and expectations on Major Projects delivery teams.
Serve as a Project Director on select Major Projects
Provide Major Project Leadership and/or insights to the following regional processes: PD and PM roster management, PD and PM performance assessments by the Business Group Leaders (BGLs), PD and PM community engagement, Tender Review Group (TRG), Independent Project Reviews for major or complex projects
Induct, train and guide major project leaders within local regions to support the successful set up and delivery of major projects
Lead and coordinate the development of project delivery resources, artifacts and tools that support best in class major project delivery; and make available to project management teams for easy use and incorporation
Take a leadership and coaching role to ensure the application of major project’s delivery tools across the region on all designated projects
Provide insights and guidance in the nomination and mobilization of project managers for specific projects that meet project context
Ensure the GHD best practices for Major Project delivery are available and accessible to project teams when needed to meet the project context
Support project leadership teams through all stages of the delivery lifecycle to set up and enable project delivery success, including: Assurance through the winning work stages, Mobilization and setting up for success, Performance monitoring and monitoring, Review, guidance and assurance during execution, Capturing lessons and closing projects effectively
Ongoing ad hoc support, oversight and guidance for teams delivering major projects