Project Director - Major Rail Projects

Project Director – Major Rail Projects Location: UK-wide, with flexibility to be based from one of AECOM’s major UK offices The Opportunity AECOM is seeking an exceptional Project Director to lead the successful delivery of major, complex rail infrastructure projects and programmes across the UK&I and Europe. This is a high-profile leadership position for an experienced rail professional who can take overall accountability for the delivery of large-scale projects, from positioning, winning, mobilisation and development through design, construction and commissioning. The successful candidate will operate at senior client and stakeholder level, lead multidisciplinary teams, manage major commercial and delivery risks, and create the conditions for safe, predictable and high-performing project delivery. AECOM is at the forefront of delivering some of the most ambitious infrastructure programmes, bringing together expertise across project and programme management, engineering, planning, commercial management, digital and advisory services. The role offers the opportunity to work across a diverse portfolio of major rail investments and help shape the future of the region’s transport infrastructure. What You’ll Do As Project Director, you will have end-to-end leadership and accountability for major rail projects, acting as the senior point of contact for clients, partners and key stakeholders. Your responsibilities will include: - Provide strategic leadership and overall direction to major rail projects and programmes. - Assist in the positioning and winning of major complex infrastructure projects, specifically major rail programs. - Establish and maintain a high-performing project organisation, bringing together multidisciplinary engineering, project management, commercial, planning, environmental and construction teams. - Own project delivery strategy, governance, performance and outcomes. - Lead project mobilisation, implementation and transition through the project lifecycle. - Maintain strong relationships with senior client representatives, sponsors, operators, infrastructure managers, contractors, suppliers and other stakeholders. - Establish clear project objectives, performance measures, governance structures and delivery plans. - Lead the management of programme, cost, schedule, risk, quality, safety and change. - Provide robust challenge and assurance to ensure projects remain deliverable, commercially sound and aligned with client objectives. - Drive effective decision-making across complex interfaces and competing stakeholder priorities. - Lead the resolution of significant technical, commercial, contractual and delivery issues. - Ensure appropriate application of project controls, reporting, assurance and governance. - Promote a strong culture of safety, quality, sustainability and technical excellence. - Develop and mentor senior project and programme managers, creating a strong succession pipeline within the rail business. - Support AECOM's growth strategy by identifying opportunities, developing client relationships and contributing to bids and major pursuits. - Represent AECOM at senior industry, client and stakeholder forums. - Champion innovation, digital delivery, modern methods of working and sustainable infrastructure solutions. What We’re Looking For We are looking for a proven major-project leader with a substantial track record of successfully delivering complex rail infrastructure. Essential - Significant senior project or programme leadership experience within the rail sector. - Proven experience leading large-scale, complex infrastructure projects, ideally with significant capital value, multiple interfaces and challenging stakeholder environments. - Demonstrable responsibility for project outcomes across cost, schedule, risk, quality and delivery. - Experience working with major rail clients, infrastructure owners, operators, government bodies, delivery partners and/or Tier 1 contractors. - Strong understanding of the rail environment and its governance, assurance, safety and regulatory requirements. - Experience leading large multidisciplinary teams and complex supply-chain relationships. - Strong commercial awareness and experience managing contractual, commercial and financial issues. - Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder-management skills at Board and senior executive level. - The credibility and confidence to challenge, negotiate and make difficult decisions in high-pressure environments. - A track record of developing high-performing teams and senior talent. - Relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience. Desirable - Chartered status or membership of an appropriate professional institution. - Degree or equivalent qualification in engineering, construction, project management, transport or a related discipline. - Experience of NEC contracts and major infrastructure procurement. - Experience of rail assurance and governance processes. - Experience working within alliance, joint venture or integrated delivery models. - Experience spanning both client-side and consultancy/delivery environments. - Formal project or programme management qualification such as APM, PMI or equivalent.