Project Director: Strategic People & Organizational Development Consultant

Duke Corporate Education•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a Project Director to join our US team. This is a client facing professional services role focused on project leadership, advisory delivery, and commercial coordination. It is not a facilitation or training position. The Project Director brings strong professional services acumen, with deep experience leading high value advisory engagements across multiple geographies. The role requires proven capability in managing complex consulting projects end-to-end, advising senior clients on strategic people and leadership initiatives, and ensuring disciplined delivery across scope, timeline, and financial performance. A strong understanding of the leadership development and people advisory landscape, combined with rigorous project and financial management capability, is essential. At Duke Corporate Education, we empower leaders at all levels to be catalysts of change in their organizations and, ultimately, in society. By designing and delivering best‑in‑class advisory, leadership development, and change management solutions, we help organizations build for the future. Our global team has an established track record of delivering large‑scale, impactful, and innovative leadership solutions. With delivery in over 85 countries, we partner with clients to co‑create solutions for leaders at every level, driving sustainable impact at scale and speed.

Requirements

Minimum of 7 years’ experience in strategy consulting, people consulting, organizational transformation, or HR advisory.
Minimum of 10 years’ experience in project management; formal project management certification required
Bachelor’s degree in business or a related field
Demonstrated experience leading high value, multi-geography advisory or consulting engagements
Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience managing complex project budgets and contracts
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders
Proven ability to lead, motivate, and coordinate diverse project teams
Excellent analytical and problem-solving capability
High standard of written and visual communication, particularly in developing clear, impactful client presentations
Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
Proficiency with project management tools and delivery governance processes
Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable navigating ambiguity

Responsibilities

Act as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders, interpreting strategic business and people priorities
Translate client needs into clear advisory, leadership development, or change solutions aligned to desired outcomes
Shape engagement direction and ensure recommendations are grounded in client context and impact
Build and sustain strong, long term relationships with senior leaders, including multinational and FTSE 500 clients
Serve as the senior point of accountability for client satisfaction and value delivery
Own the successful delivery of complex client engagements from initiation through close
Develop and oversee comprehensive project plans, delivery timelines, budgets, and contractual commitments
Maintain commercial discipline across scope, cost, revenue, and resourcing decisions
Ensure delivery decisions balance client outcomes with Duke CE’s financial and commercial objectives
Oversee project financials across assigned engagements, including budget tracking and forecasting
Conduct variance analysis and interpret financial data to assess project performance
Identify financial risks or trends early and take corrective action as needed
Ensure financial transparency, disciplined governance, and predictable project outcomes
Lead and coordinate cross functional project teams operating across multiple geographies
Provide clear direction, guidance, and feedback to maintain high delivery standards
Clarify roles, responsibilities, and decision rights across project teams
Foster accountability, collaboration, and effective problem solving
Work closely with internal and external partners to ensure quality, progress, and alignment
Establish and maintain strong delivery governance across all engagements
Identify, monitor, and actively manage project risks and issues
Ensure timely escalation and resolution of delivery, commercial, or client risks
Prepare and deliver clear, executive level project updates to clients and internal stakeholders
Ensure progress, risks, and outcomes are clearly understood and decisions are well supported
Develop clear, impactful presentations and written materials for senior audiences
Translate complex information into concise, executive ready insights and recommendations
Support client decision making through structured analysis and compelling storytelling
Reinforce Duke CE’s advisory credibility through high quality, professional outputs