Director - Project Delivery Office

Ready to transform how projects are delivered across ISL? We are looking for an experienced Project Manager in the engineering and/or construction industry who is ready to implement a fully functioning Project Delivery Office for ISL.
 
A Little About Us
ISL is transforming how our projects are delivered to ensure consistency, efficiency and excellence in everything we deliver on.
ISL is comprised of just over 600 employees comprised of award-winning engineers, technologists, planners, landscape architects, scientists, and much more that work together to deliver infrastructure projects that minimize environmental impacts and maximize benefits to the community. 
More about what we do:

We deliver on a variety of multidisciplinary projects 
We have extensive expertise – We have a variety of expertise and are comprised of five sectors specializing in Transportation, Municipal and Community, Bridges, Building and Structures and Land and Environment. Learn more about our areas of practice.
We are award winning and recognized in industry – Visit our #ISLLife blog and learn more.

About the Role
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, Tony Plamondon, this strategic leadership role is responsible for building and leading a fully functional Project Delivery Office (PDO), that establishes ISL-wide project delivery governance, standards, innovation, and capability across all stages of projects from pursuits through to construction.
From early pursuit through to post-project learning you will bring expertise that will turn individual expertise into organizational strength.
Working from one of our ISL offices across Western Canada the new Director, Project Delivery Office will join a newly developed leadership team and:

Develop and execute a comprehensive plan for the buildout and maturation of the Project Delivery Office (PDO), including structure, standard operating procedures, systems, and governance frameworks aligned with ISL's strategic priorities
Define, implement, and continuously evolve ISL's enterprise project delivery framework, including methodologies, standards, tools, controls, and quality requirements that enable consistent, efficient, and scalable delivery
Design and establish the PDO organizational structure, roles, and accountabilities, providing ongoing leadership and oversight to ensure alignment with ISL's goals and delivery excellence
Establish and oversee enterprise project and portfolio governance, including stage-gate controls, delivery assurance practices, and escalation mechanisms for schedule, cost, scope, quality, and risk
Provide an enterprise-level portfolio view of project performance, risks, capacity, and strategic alignment to support informed executive and Board decision-making
Monitor and improve project performance through dashboards, scorecards, quality reviews, and data-driven insights, proactively identifying trends, risks, and opportunities for intervention
Advance ISL's risk management maturity by embedding practical, proactive approaches to project, client, and operational risk across the delivery lifecycle
Lead delivery assurance practices, enabling early identification of variances and coordinated corrective action with sector, regional, and project leadership
Partner with sector and regional leaders to ensure project delivery practices, resource planning, and execution priorities align with strategic and operational needs across the firm
Strengthen project management capability by supporting enterprise-wide training, coaching, and development of project managers and delivery teams in alignment with ISL's competency framework
Enable continuous improvement across ISL's delivery system by introducing new technologies, processes, and methodologies; capturing lessons learned; and embedding proven improvements into standard practice
Lead development and governance of business process improvement and quality management systems for project delivery, including audits, variance management, and benefit realization
Oversee implementation and integration of project delivery systems and tools, ensuring alignment with ISL's enterprise platforms, data standards, and reporting requirements
Foster a strong delivery leadership culture within the PDO, supporting talent development, engagement, accountability, and alignment with ISL's values and behavioral competencies
Champion disciplined execution and change adoption, ensuring project delivery processes remain effective, adaptable, and aligned with ISL's long-term vision
Control the PDO development budget and ensure measurable return on investment for initiatives, maintaining alignment between long-term strategic goals and short-term execution priorities

Who we are looking for:
As a new member of ISL's leadership team, this future ISL'er models our organizational values of Curiosity, Unity, Integrity and Excellence. Is this you?
Curiosity – You possess a systems-oriented mindset, enabling you to recognize all key components essential for effective project delivery. These encompass four main areas of focus: Pursuit, Project Management, Delivery, and Construction, or an equivalent combination reflecting your background in private consulting and/or construction. With your inquisitive and collaborative approach, you are prepared to understand and address the requirements of five Sector Directors—specializing in Transportation, Municipal and Community, Bridges, Building and Structures, and Land and Environment—to support their success in project execution.
Unity – You never work alone.  Sought after for your expertise in developing structure, discipline and streamlined processes related to project delivery, you are ready to be the organization's guide. You have a strong sense as to when to empower, negotiate and be decisive as you build out the implementation plan for ISL's new Project Delivery Office. You have the ability to swiftly influence both people and process components to achieve results without authority. With you there is no ego. You enable team and operational success.
Integrity –  You are anticipatory in nature.  Always on the lookout for opportunity with a keen eye on risk mitigation related to project delivery. You are comfortable leading comprehensive risk reviews across projects and teams uncovering the inputs of many. You are decisive but calculated. You balance innovation and foresight, taking ownership of challenges before they escalate. You always keep the right things at the forefront, which is integrity related to people, projects and how this newly developed PDO can deliver a trustworthy process to ISL clients.
Excellence – At this stage in your career you know you can take on this role. You know you are not just applying for another "Project Manager" position. Rather an opportunity to leave a legacy given your past track record in setting up processes, procedures and workflows.  You are deeply committed to ensuring ISL is on the map as a top consulting engineering firm for how it delivers projects because of what you implement.  You are ready to get individual, team, sector and client results as you develop and implement the right metrics, frameworks and best practice strategies to support everyone involved.    
Ready to throw your name in?
Your cover letter and resume must display:

Relevant education in engineering or a related field. Equivalent desired experience will be considered.
Recognized professional designation relevant to ISL's business
Direct leadership experience optimizing project delivery processes and/or experience establishing a Project Management Office or similar in an engineering/construction environment.
10+years of leadership experience 
Examples of the role you played in optimizing project delivery and/or your experience establishing + Project Management Office for an organization you have worked for.
Experience aligning people, systems, and budgets with long-range strategy and business priorities.
Examples of establishing and implementing strategies related to continuous improvement related to project delivery which may include policies, governance, innovation, procedures, and guidelines.
Knowledge of structured change management approaches and capability to implement change management strategies.

Note:
Shortlisted candidates will be provided with a comprehensive job description outlining competencies, key deliverables and other details as they advance to the interview.
 
What ISL Offers
We value you for your contribution and want to ensure that your personal success is intertwined with your professional success and want to thank you for considering ISL Engineering as your next step.
Learn more about our work by visiting us on Instagram @islengineering / LinkedIn and feel free to join our ISL newsletter on LinkedIn: Inside ISL.
Our wellness philosophy encompasses the four pillars of physical, mental, financial and spiritual wellbeing which is why our benefits package is comprehensive and offers you some of the best available tools to maximize your career and lifestyle.
Here are some of the amazing benefits we provide:

An opportunity to continue your leadership path with potential of becoming a Shareholder. 
An excellent onboarding and mentorship plan so you understand ISL business and are successful. 
Flexible working hours and over 14 office locations to work from.
Hybrid model of work.
Immediate Employer paid benefits including health, dental and extensive paramedical services upon commencement.
Healthcare Spending and Lifestyle Option Accounts.
Group RRSP.
Annual bonus incentives.
Paid professional development opportunities and memberships.
Parental leave top ups.
24/7/365 Employee & Family Assistance Program.

Depending on your experience level, the salary range (based on a 40-hour work week) is:

$175,000 - $195,000

Location:
ISL is proudly located in over 14 offices across Western Canada. For the right candidate we are happy to offer a relocation package and look forward to having our successful candidate work out of any of the following:

Edmonton
Calgary
Burnaby
Langley
Saskatoon

 

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