Project Director - Public Sector, Health, Education and Social Housing

Job Description

Role Purpose

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Associate Director / Project Director (grade dependent on experience) to support the continued growth of our Public Sector Project Management business in Ireland.

This role will focus on the delivery of public-sector capital projects across healthcare, education, social housing, government, and related public infrastructure sectors. Working closely with our Health & Education leadership team, you will lead projects and programmes, providing strategic direction, governance oversight, and delivery leadership from inception through to completion.

As the senior lead on commissions, you will be responsible for ensuring successful outcomes across programme, budget, quality, sustainability, health and safety, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory compliance. You will manage multidisciplinary teams, provide trusted advice to public-sector clients, and champion excellence in project delivery.

In addition to project leadership responsibilities, you will play a key role in developing client relationships, securing new commissions, supporting bid activities, and contributing to the strategic growth of Turner & Townsend's Public Sector business in Ireland.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of public-sector capital projects and programmes, ensuring alignment with client objectives, programme requirements, governance frameworks, and budgets.
• Establish and maintain robust project governance, reporting, assurance, and project controls processes.
• Oversee project delivery throughout the full lifecycle, including:
  • Business Case & Inception
  • Design Development
  • Planning & Statutory Approvals
  • Procurement
  • Construction Delivery
  • Commissioning & Handover
• Ensure effective management of scope, programme, cost, quality, risk, sustainability, and health and safety objectives.
• Identify project risks, constraints, and opportunities and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Provide strategic advice regarding procurement, programme management, contract administration, commercial matters, and risk management.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and consultant appointments to achieve successful project outcomes.
• Build strong relationships with government departments, healthcare organisations, educational institutions, local authorities, housing bodies, and other public-sector stakeholders.
• Monitor project profitability, resource utilisation, and overall commercial performance.

Governance, Procurement & Commercial Management

• Ensure compliance with Irish public procurement requirements and governance frameworks.
• Maintain a strong understanding of Public Works Contracts and the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF), including CF1, CF2 and associated contract forms.
• Undertake Employer's Representative (ER) responsibilities and oversee contract administration activities.
• Support dispute avoidance and resolution activities where required.
• Provide leadership on change control, commercial reporting, procurement reviews, and contract management.

Business Development & Client Growth

• Lead business development activities to secure new public-sector commissions and expand existing client relationships.
• Identify and pursue opportunities across healthcare, education, social housing, government, justice, cultural facilities, and broader public infrastructure sectors.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with public-sector clients, funding bodies, key stakeholders, and industry partners.
• Lead and contribute to bids, tenders, framework appointments, and strategic pursuits.
• Support the preparation of high-quality technical and commercial proposals.
• Contribute to annual revenue, profitability, and growth targets.
• Identify opportunities to cross-sell wider Turner & Townsend services within existing client accounts.

Qualifications

Essential Requirements

• Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Project Management, or a related discipline.
• Chartered professional (CEng, MRICS/FRICS, MCIOB/FCIOB, RIAI or equivalent) with 10+ years' industry experience, including a minimum of 5 years post-chartership experience. This is a mandatory requirement.
• Extensive experience leading public-sector capital projects across healthcare, education, social housing, government, or related sectors.
• Proven track record delivering complex construction projects through the full project lifecycle, from inception and planning through procurement, construction, and handover.
• Strong understanding of Irish public-sector procurement, governance frameworks, Public Works Contracts (CWMF), and contract administration, including Employer's Representative responsibilities.
• Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary teams, with strong commercial acumen, stakeholder management, and risk management capabilities.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage confidently with senior clients, public-sector stakeholders, and project teams.

Desired Requirements

• Experience leading public-sector tenders, framework submissions, and business development activities.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, maintain, and grow client relationships within the public sector.
• Experience contributing to business growth, securing new commissions, and supporting strategic client development initiatives.

Additional Information

• Opportunity to play a leading role in the growth of Turner & Townsend's Public Sector business in Ireland.
• Exposure to high-profile healthcare, education, social housing, and government programmes across the country.
• Collaborative and inclusive working environment with access to industry-leading professionals and clients.
• Clear opportunities for career progression, leadership development, and professional growth.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements available.
• Turner & Townsend is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourages applications from diverse backgrounds.

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