Director, Project

Build Your Career at Aecon

Aecon is proud to build some of the most impactful infrastructure projects of this generation. From the roads and transit systems that connect our communities, to the communication networks that link us from coast-to-coast, and the water infrastructure that supplies our businesses and homes. Our integral work includes constructing the pipelines that join provinces with the energy that fuels the nation, and the airports and ports that connect us all. Aecon is there, safely and sustainably building the future.

We lead the infrastructure industry with purpose, and our people are at the heart of everything we do. Our business success relies on strong execution and continuous improvement – driven by the diversity, expertise and teamwork of our employees. We are always searching the globe for exceptional candidates to join the Aecon family and be a part of our forward-thinking, innovative, best-in-class organization

Position Overview

Aecon is a leader and partner of choice in construction and infrastructure development providing integrated turnkey services to private and public-sector clients since 1877. With the ability to self-perform across our diverse business offering and a strategic fabrication network, Aecon Water proactively and profitably manages complex Water & Wastewater projects across both Canada and the United States. Aecon Water is in the business of managing, procuring, constructing, and commissioning water and wastewater treatment facilities with a focus on alternative project delivery.

Aecon is proud to build some of the most impactful infrastructure projects of this generation. From the roads and transit systems that connect our communities, to the communication networks that link us from coast-to-coast, and the water infrastructure that supplies our businesses and homes. Our integral work includes constructing the pipelines that join provinces with the energy that fuels the nation, and the airports and ports that connect us all. Aecon is there, safely and sustainably building the future.

We lead the infrastructure industry with purpose, and our people are at the heart of everything we do. Our business success relies on strong execution and continuous improvement – driven by the diversity, expertise and teamwork of our employees. We are always searching the globe for exceptional candidates to join the Aecon family and be a part of our forward-thinking, innovative, best-in-class organization

Reporting to the Regional Vice President, the Project Director will be responsible for managing large and complex Water & Wastewater projects, including design build, P3 and joint ventures, and all aspects of project performance.

Key Responsibilities

Project Development

• Assist in securing new work through participation in bidding and proposal teams

Project Management - Responsible for delivery against all budget, schedule & quality targets

• Construction Operations
  • Safety. Establish safety, team, systems and procedures and ensure a safe work environment for everyone involved in the project.
  • Schedule. Develop, monitor and make decisions to ensure project is delivered on schedule.
  • Quality, ensuring key metrics and KPI's are established and targets are consistently achieved.
  • Responsible for all aspects of project close out
• Commercial Management
  • Ensure teams understand and protect Aecon / JV interests under the Prime Contract
  • Ensure teams have a process to efficiently and effectively process change orders
  • Financial / cash flow management
  • Identifies risks and implements mitigation and contingency plans
  • Results. Ensure everyone on the project has a commercial mindset to deliver the project at or exceeding initial margin levels.

Stakeholder Management

• Create and maintain excellent relationships with all stakeholders
  • The client, architects, engineering firms, etc.
  • Joint venture partners
  • Government, the public, special interest groups

People Management

• Creates and maintains a culture and environment that is open and respectful
• Hire, supervise, coach and mentor project personnel
• Ensure project has capacity and expert capability in all engineering, procurement and construction activities
  • Expertise in required functional areas: Design management, Project Controls, Procurement, Contract Management, Quality, Commercial Management)
• Communicates with Aecon Sr. Management to ensure adequate resources are provided
• Ensure the project has required staffing and succession plans

Communication

• Builds engagement through ongoing communicates to all staff and stakeholders
• Provide all required project reporting / forecasting

Executive Responsibility

• Aecon ambassador to employees, the client, partners the public and Aecon executive leadership.

Required Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in engineering or equivalent experience is an asset
• A minimum of 20 years of construction leadership experience on complex major Water/Wastewater projects, with a proven track record of delivering commercial success.
• Experience executing Water/Wastewater projects with Alternative Project Delivery models (P3, DB, PDB, CMAR, etc.)
• In depth experience in working with complex contractual agreements and project financing
• The proven ability to successfully manage large and complex construction projects through the full project lifecycle
• Experience working on projects with international joint venture partners
• Thorough knowledge of change management principles including identifying significant variations, claims identification, narration, quantification and evaluation
• Proven track record with claims management and dispute resolution on major projects
• Experience with risk identification and management
• Experience in liaising with client, subcontractor and consultant representatives
• The proven ability to effectively recruit and build teams and manage senior project staff
• Sound understanding of contractual, commercial and financial functions on major projects
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Necessary Competencies

Collaboration

• High degree of emotional intelligence and self-awareness
• Able to work with and communicate to executives from JV partners, owner/clients, governments, etc

Stakeholder Management

• Communication in all forms, articulating the project vision in a meaningful and compelling way to all stakeholders.
• Able to engage with and seek input and involvement from all stakeholders within the project's ecosystem.

Adaptive Thinking

• Change Leadership. Ability and willingness to challenge the status quo, in the interest of the success of the project
• Critical thinking capability by applying sound analysis and logical reasoning to evaluate ideas, decisions and outcomes. Able to properly evaluate the quality of evidence and reasoning, then draw appropriate conclusions.
• Ability to take a broad perspective and to think laterally; analyzing risks, which incorporates being proactive, assessing the potential cost of a risk and solving any problems associated with it; negotiating; communicating; and team working.

Strategic Orientation

• Strategic mindset to envision and shape the future while always keeping in mind the basic project needs
• Commercial acumen. A strong sense of urgency to quickly assess and understand the key business drivers that influence or impact the project and the broader organization
• Breadth of market knowledge. Deep understanding of all aspects of mega project work within this sector.

Successfully builds high performing teams

• Motivates and build trust
• Delegates
• Balanced decision making – allowing for discussion and collaboration but driving to decisions, driving accountability and ensuring there are lessons learned from poor decisions
• Creates an open and diverse work environment

Character based Leadership

• Integrity, Humility, Transparency, Courage, Drive, Energy, Passion

Ambassador for the company internally and externally

• Lives the Aecon leadership Expectations of a Project Director

Aecon fosters diversity, inclusion and belonging within and across our organization. We welcome all to apply including, women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

We are committed to adhering to the objectives and requirements outlined in the Accessible Canada Act (ACA), and to meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner, through the implementation of the requirements of the ACA and its applicable regulations. If you require accommodation under the ACA Act during any step of the application process please click here.