At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major projects, ensuring safety, excellence, and client satisfaction.
- Company: Join Bilfinger, a global leader in industrial services with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to continuous improvement and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape the future of industries while driving innovation and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading large engineering or construction projects is essential.
The predicted salary is between 67500 - 82500 £ per year.
Bilfinger is a leading international industrial services provider, driving efficiency and sustainability for the process industry. With about 31,000 employees and over 5.4 billion in revenue in 2025, we offer solutions in consulting, engineering, manufacturing, maintenance, turnarounds, and digital applications across key sectors like energy, chemicals, pharma, and oil & gas.
Shape the future with Bilfinger UK: With a strong commitment to sustainability, Bilfinger UK stands out as a premier provider of engineering and maintenance services. For over 50 years, Bilfinger UK has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation, delivering advanced solutions that support industries, infrastructure, and communities across the United Kingdom.
As a key member of the globally respected Bilfinger Group, Bilfinger UK has built a reputation as a versatile leader, offering both onshore and offshore services. From energy and utilities to pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals, the company’s broad expertise across various sectors makes it a trusted partner in the industry, as well as a work environment where you can develop your potential. At Bilfinger, we offer a work environment where you can learn and grow. Join us and be part of a team shaping the future!
The Role
The Major Projects Director is a senior leadership position within Bilfinger's Installation Business Area, responsible for the successful delivery of the business's largest and most strategically important projects. Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President, the Major Projects Director will provide leadership, governance and oversight across a portfolio of major projects, ensuring the highest standards of safety, operational excellence, commercial performance and client satisfaction.
Leading a team of Project Directors, the role is accountable for driving delivery performance, strengthening leadership capability and embedding consistency across project execution. Working closely with Operations, Commercial, Project Controls, SHEQ, HR and Business Development teams, the Major Projects Director will play a key role in supporting sustainable growth while maintaining Bilfinger's reputation as a trusted delivery partner.
Key Responsibilities
- Safety Leadership
- Champion Bilfinger's Safety First culture across the major projects portfolio.
- Demonstrate visible safety leadership and ensure projects consistently meet Bilfinger's industry-leading SHEQ standards and client expectations.
- Promote a proactive approach to risk management, incident prevention and continuous improvement.
- Ensure lessons learned and best practices are shared across projects and incorporated into future delivery.
- Leadership and People Development
- Lead, coach and develop a team of Project Directors responsible for the delivery of major projects.
- Build and maintain a high-performing project leadership team with clear accountability and strong delivery focus.
- Support succession planning, talent development and leadership capability across the project organisation.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, engagement, inclusion and continuous improvement.
- Project Delivery
- Provide executive oversight and assurance across the major projects portfolio.
- Ensure projects are safely delivered in accordance with contractual requirements, approved schedules and commercial objectives.
- Monitor project performance and intervene where additional leadership, support or corrective action is required.
- Oversee effective project mobilisation, execution, commissioning and close-out.
- Support project teams in resolving complex technical, operational and commercial challenges.
- Commercial and Financial Performance
- Deliver agreed financial outcomes across the project portfolio.
- Maintain oversight of revenue, margin, cash performance, forecasting accuracy and working capital.
- Ensure commercial risks and opportunities are identified, managed and reported effectively.
- Support robust decision-making throughout the project lifecycle to maximise shareholder value and client satisfaction.
- Drive a culture of commercial awareness and accountability throughout project teams.
- Governance and Assurance
- Ensure projects operate in compliance with Bilfinger governance requirements and contractual obligations.
- Promote the consistent application of project controls, commercial excellence, risk management and reporting processes.
- Chair project and portfolio performance reviews.
- Provide assurance to senior leadership regarding project status, performance and risk exposure.
- Escalate significant risks, issues and opportunities as appropriate.
- Client and Stakeholder Relationships
- Build and maintain strong relationships with senior client stakeholders.
- Support the resolution of significant commercial, contractual and operational matters.
- Strengthen Bilfinger's reputation through consistent delivery excellence and client engagement.
- Represent Bilfinger at executive-level client meetings, industry forums and stakeholder events.
- Strategic Growth and Business Development
- Support strategic bidding activities, framework opportunities and early contractor involvement initiatives.
- Provide operational input into bid reviews, execution strategies, resource planning and mobilisation approaches.
- Contribute to business planning and portfolio growth strategies.
- Capture and share lessons learned to improve future competitiveness and delivery outcomes.
- Continuous Improvement
- Drive standardisation and consistency across project delivery processes.
- Promote innovation, digital tools and best practice across the portfolio.
- Identify opportunities to improve project performance, reporting and governance.
- Encourage a culture of learning, collaboration and accountability.
What Success Looks Like
- Exemplary safety performance across the major projects portfolio.
- Predictable project delivery with strong schedule, cost and risk performance.
- Sustainable improvement in portfolio profitability and cash performance.
- High levels of client satisfaction and repeat business opportunities.
- Effective governance, assurance and reporting across all projects.
- Strong Project Director succession and leadership capability pipelines.
- Continuous improvement and lessons learned embedded across the organisation.
- Successful delivery of Bilfinger's strategic growth ambitions within the Installation Business Area.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential
- Significant experience leading major engineering, construction or industrial services projects within the energy, process, industrial, infrastructure or nuclear sectors.
- Proven experience managing multiple high-value projects through senior project leadership teams.
- Strong commercial acumen with demonstrable experience operating under NEC and other major forms of contract.
- Experience leading large multidisciplinary teams in complex project environments.
- Excellent stakeholder management and client relationship skills.
- Strong understanding of project governance, project controls, commercial management and risk management.
- Demonstrated ability to influence senior internal and external stakeholders.
Desirable
- Degree qualified in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or a related discipline.
- Chartered Engineer, Chartered Project Professional or equivalent professional qualification.
- NEC accreditation or relevant commercial management qualifications.
- Experience operating in highly regulated environments.
For additional information please contact Leo Andrew Carvel Taylor by email leo.taylor@bilfinger.com.
Bilfinger is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or other characteristics protected by law.
If you are interested in an employment with Bilfinger, please submit your application in the safe environment of our global job portal only using the "apply now" button.
Major Projects Director in Olney employer: Bilfinger
BILFINGER is an exceptional employer that values its employees by fostering a collaborative and dynamic work culture in Ulceby, UK. With a focus on professional growth, we offer extensive training and development opportunities, ensuring that our team members thrive in their roles while contributing to impactful engineering and construction projects. Enjoy the benefits of a flexible 11-day rolling fortnight schedule, allowing for a healthy work-life balance.
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We think this is how you could land Major Projects Director in Olney
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We think you need these skills to ace Major Projects Director in Olney
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Major Projects Director, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Bilfinger
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Bilfinger, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
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Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
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✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.