Project Director - Rail, Roadways and Resort Development in Bedford

This position provides leadership to a multi-disciplinary team responsible for the planning, design, construction, and commissioning of infrastructure and property development projects and associated resort complex (ERC). The Project Director oversees all aspects of enabling public roadways, bridges, and construction logistics across the ERC, ensuring successful project delivery aligned with budget, schedule, quality, safety, creative, and guest experience objectives.

Responsibilities

• Directing project strategy, planning, commercial management, stakeholder coordination, design integration, construction execution, and commissioning activities.
• Minimising project risks, claims, disputes, change orders, and interface disruptions while maintaining strong control of schedule, budget, quality, and field operations.
• Providing hands-on leadership and effective collaboration across project participants.
• Developing high-performing internal, consultant, and contractor teams supported by efficient document control processes.
• Working with Universal Destinations & Experiences (UDX) leadership and providing direction to multi-departmental project teams.
• Establishing scope and schedule requirements, developing budgets and financial planning, managing procurement, addressing SDO conditions and governmental commitments, and completing design, construction, and commissioning.
• Overseeing overall project safety and compliance with Environment Health & Safety (EHS) standards.
• Managing the planning and execution of enabling infrastructure and developments such as public roadways and bridges.
• Ensuring that all project procedures are being followed as it relates to correspondence, RFI's, directives, design and construction drawings, submittals, meeting minutes, action trackers, default lists, notices, pay applications, etc.
• Maintaining the overall project budget and schedule within the targeted objectives set forth during project approval.
• Providing leadership and personal development guidance to all direct reports.
• Managing, tracking, and reporting all necessary project components inclusive of budget, schedule, and progress of the project to upper management.
• Understanding and actively participating in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent qualifications in Engineering, Construction, Management or a related field is required.
• Experience in construction project management, engineering, construction or commercial facilities industry.
• Experience in the delivery of infrastructure construction projects design and construction phases.
• Experience in project scheduling, estimating, bidding process and negotiations.
• Strong knowledge of construction project delivery methods for enabling infrastructure, including roadways, rail development, and roadway structures.
• Experience working with third-party developers and managing complex stakeholder relationships.
• Experience with bespoke contracts, development agreements, and contract administration.
• Ability to interpret design and construction drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Experience in scheduling, estimating, critical path management, site logistics, and constructability reviews.
• Strong understanding of construction and project management processes across all project phases.
• Experience managing project finances, including budgets, cash flow, cost control, and change orders.
• Effective leadership, communication, and coordination skills across multiple stakeholders, vendors, consultants, and contractors.
• Hands-on approach to field operations, maintaining operational continuity during construction and ensuring efficient document control.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Project, Planner, Power BI, Teams, Power Apps, Bluebeam or equivalent PDF software. AutoCAD and Revit preferred.
• Role may require regular travel across the UK, with occasional international travel.
• SIA licensing and/or relevant executive security certifications preferred.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Universal’s policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation.