At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major infrastructure projects, ensuring safety and quality while driving team performance.
- Company: Join Balfour Beatty, a leader in UK infrastructure with a commitment to community and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone can thrive.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on vital projects that strengthen communities and support national economies.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading large-scale infrastructure programmes and building high-performing teams.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Balfour Beatty is looking to make a critical hire and appoint a Project Director to lead one of the key sections on Roads North (£250m to £500m). As a Project Director, you will provide overall leadership, direction and accountability for the safe, predictable and productive delivery of the assigned scope within the Lower Thames Crossing spanning pre‑construction enablement (land access, archaeology, utilities), main works (highways, structures, tunnelling interfaces), and handover. You will set the vision, build a high‑performing team, and ensure outcomes on safety, quality, time, cost, sustainability, and community impact are achieved, while maintaining a Zero Harm culture across all operations. The role will be based along the Kent/Essex route with regular travel between offices (e.g. Thurrock), compounds and stakeholder premises.
What you’ll be doing
- Leadership & culture: Set clear strategic objectives and cascade priorities across delivery, commercial, engineering, and enabling functions; model collaborative, high‑trust behaviours with design partners, statutory undertakers and supply chain. Champion a Zero Harm mindset; ensure robust, visible safety leadership and compliance with HSW standards across all workfronts. Build leadership capability and clarify role responsibilities across the route/area leadership teams to align with the programme’s evolving needs.
- Programme delivery (scope, schedule, cost): Own the integrated baseline and right‑first‑time delivery of milestones; chair reviews on progress, risks, opportunities and change. Drive predictable delivery through short‑interval control and disciplined performance management with Project Controls (planning, cost, risk, earned value, reporting). Ensure early identification and management of compensation events and approvals in line with client and DCO processes.
- Health, Safety & Wellbeing (HSW): Lead by example on HSW engagement (inspections, audits, safety tours, briefings), verify effective close‑out of actions, and continuously improve leading indicators and lessons learned.
- Technical & engineering governance: Provide senior oversight of design for manufacture & assembly (DfMA), temporary works, and technical assurance; ensure hold‑point discipline and compliance with standards. Manage interfaces with tunnelling, highways structures, and specialist systems; ensure buildability, maintainability and safe systems of work are embedded from design through delivery.
- Consents, land & utilities enabling: Oversee DCO obligations, protective provisions and assurances; ensure timely approvals, stakeholder notifications and evidence trails. Lead the clear the way enabling philosophy for utilities and third‑party assets, coordinating with statutory undertakers and the Integrated Utilities leadership so main works can proceed predictably.
- Commercial & supply chain: Hold accountability for commercial outcomes; ensure robust change control, claims/compensation event management, and alignment with contract(s) (e.g., NEC). Build a high‑performing supply chain: set expectations for productivity, quality, sustainability, and social value; drive fair, transparent, and safe delivery.
- Stakeholders, community & reputation: Act as a senior face of the project with the client and external bodies (local authorities, statutory bodies, communities), ensuring proactive engagement, responsiveness and credible reporting. Support community relations so construction activity is considerate and impacts are managed responsibly (traffic, noise, ecology, heritage, public safety).
- Sustainability & social value: Drive decarbonisation, resource efficiency and circular practices; integrate carbon and environmental considerations into planning and delivery. Champion inclusion and workforce diversity commitments, aligning with project EDI targets and incentive frameworks.
- Governance, reporting & assurance: Chair/attend governance forums; ensure accurate monthly and weekly reporting packs, dashboards and board updates (progress, risks, resourcing, HSW, EDI, cost, forecast). Ensure readiness and evidence for internal/external audits and progressive assurance.
Who we’re looking for
- Significant track record leading major infrastructure programmes (e.g., highways/structures/tunnelling interfaces) with packages >£300m.
- Demonstrable success as Project Director/Programme Lead or equivalent on complex, multi‑stakeholder schemes.
- Deep familiarity with UK construction law and delivery under collaborative contracts (e.g., NEC) and associated change/CE controls.
- Proven leadership of utilities diversions/enablement and third‑party interfaces on live corridors or urban environments.
- Track record of building high‑performing, diverse teams and embedding a Zero Harm culture.
- Credible client‑facing communication and executive reporting; skilled in governance, risk, assurance and dispute avoidance.
Why work for us
Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.
Benefits:
- Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
- 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata).
- Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partner leave.
- Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more.
Diversity and inclusion: At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background.
To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence ‘Employer Recognition Scheme’ and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long‑term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role.
Project Director, Lower Thames Crossing (LTC), Roads North in London employer: ActionFight, Inc.
Balfour Beatty is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can lead significant infrastructure projects that make a real difference to communities. With a strong commitment to safety, sustainability, and diversity, employees benefit from flexible working arrangements, generous leave policies, and numerous opportunities for professional growth and development. Join us in shaping the future of the UK's infrastructure while enjoying a supportive culture that values every individual.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Director, Lower Thames Crossing (LTC), Roads North in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values, especially around safety and sustainability, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your achievements and how they relate to the role of Project Director. Highlight your leadership skills and experience with major infrastructure projects to make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Balfour Beatty and contributing to exciting projects like the Lower Thames Crossing.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Director, Lower Thames Crossing (LTC), Roads North in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Project Director role. Highlight your experience in leading major infrastructure programmes and how it aligns with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see your leadership style! Share examples of how you've built high-performing teams and fostered a Zero Harm culture in your previous roles. This will help us understand how you can lead our project effectively.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point while still showcasing your achievements.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at ActionFight, Inc.
✨Know Your Project Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of the Lower Thames Crossing project. Understand its scope, challenges, and the key stakeholders involved. This will not only show your genuine interest but also allow you to speak confidently about how your experience aligns with the project's needs.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Project Director, showcasing your leadership capabilities is crucial. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams, managed conflicts, or driven projects to completion. Highlight how you foster a Zero Harm culture and ensure safety compliance in your previous roles.
✨Engage with Stakeholder Management
Balfour Beatty values proactive engagement with stakeholders. Be ready to discuss your approach to managing relationships with clients, local authorities, and communities. Share specific instances where your communication skills made a positive impact on project outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Technical Knowledge
Familiarise yourself with UK construction law and collaborative contracts like NEC. Be prepared to discuss how you've navigated complex regulatory environments in past projects. This will demonstrate your readiness to handle the technical and governance aspects of the role effectively.
