Project Director

Job Summary

Reporting to the President & General Manager, the Project Director is accountable for the overall leadership, governance, and successful delivery of major capital projects within a surface mining environment. This role is responsible for ensuring projects are executed safely, on time, and within budget, while aligning with organizational strategy and capital objectives.

Responsibilities

• Safety & Leadership
• Provide visible leadership and strategic direction to multidisciplinary project teams.
• Establish clear accountability across the project team, promoting high performance and continuous improvement.
• Project Governance & Strategy
• Establish and maintain project governance, execution strategy, and delivery frameworks aligned with business objectives.
• Ensure appropriate project controls systems, standards, and processes are in place.
• Approve project scope, execution plans, and delivery strategies.
• Lead stage-gate processes and ensure readiness for all major capital approval milestones (e.g., PFS, FS, FID).
• Ensure alignment with JV partners on project scope, strategy, and execution approach.
• Project Execution & Delivery
• Fully accountable for successful delivery of projects across all phases, from concept through commissioning and close-out.
• Ensure integration across engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning activities.
• Ensure construction readiness, including contracting strategy, execution planning, and site mobilization.
• Oversee commissioning and handover to operations to ensure operational readiness and performance outcomes.
• Lead resolution of complex project issues and remove barriers to execution.
• Cost, Schedule & Risk Accountability
• Accountable for overall project cost, schedule, and risk outcomes.
• Review and approve project budgets, schedules, forecasts, and key performance metrics.
• Ensure effective risk management frameworks are in place and that critical risks are mitigated.
• Approve major changes, including scope, cost, and schedule adjustments.
• Ensure a fully integrated project controls framework (cost, schedule, risk, and change management) is in place and actively informs decision-making.
• Operate within delegated authority limits and escalate material risks, deviations, and decisions as required.
• Stakeholder Coordination & External Relations
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior internal stakeholders, including operations, maintenance, and executive leadership.
• Maintain alignment with JV partners and facilitate decision-making across a multi-stakeholder governance structure.
• Ensure integration of permitting, regulatory, and environmental requirements into project design, schedule, and execution strategy.
• Oversee engagement with external stakeholders, including contractors, engineering firms, vendors, and regulatory agencies.
• Ensure clear communication of project status, risks, and strategic decisions.
• Contract & Commercial Oversight
• Provide oversight of contracting strategies and major commercial decisions.
• Ensure alignment between contract execution and project objectives.
• Support resolution of significant commercial and contractual issues.
• Team Leadership & Development
• Lead and mentor project leadership, including Project Managers and the Project Controls Manager.
• Establish team structure, roles, and performance expectations.
• Support development of internal capability and succession planning.
• Other Duties
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned to meet operational needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Mining, Construction Management, or related discipline; advanced degree preferred
• Minimum 15 years of experience in mining or heavy industrial projects, including leadership of large capital projects.
• Demonstrated accountability for full project lifecycle delivery (cost, schedule, scope).
• Professional designation (e.g., PE.) and/or PMP certification is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with EPC/EPCM contractors and owner’s teams.
• Strong understanding of governance, project controls, and capital project delivery models.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership and decision-making capability in complex project environments.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to align project execution to business objectives.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen.
• Ability to provide clear direction and make decisions with incomplete information.
• Proven ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams.
• Results-driven with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Proficient in project management systems and reporting tools.
• Willingness to travel to project sites as required.