Project Director

Project Director (BBBH28892) Bristol, England

As part of Astute’s People Search retained service, Astute’s Nuclear Team is exclusively partnering with DEF UK, a leading international fire safety systems provider operating within the nuclear sector, to recruit a Project Director for its Bristol-based operation supporting the Sizewell C Nuclear New Build Project.

The strategically important Project Director role comes with a highly competitive salary, bonus, pension, and benefits package, alongside the opportunity to lead a flagship nuclear infrastructure project through to completion.

If you’re a Project Director and are looking to work for an organization that combines entrepreneurial agility with the backing of a global business delivering critical nuclear safety systems, then submit your CV to apply today.

Responsibilities and duties

• Lead and manage the mobilization, execution, and successful delivery of the Sizewell C Project from contract award through to completion.
• Undertake a full contract review and establish robust project controls aligned with NEC3 contractual requirements.
• Develop project programmes, resource plans, mobilization strategies, and recruitment plans where required.
• Implement and manage the Contract Quality Assurance Plan (CQAP) and associated quality processes.
• Establish project policies, procedures, and governance structures to ensure optimum project performance.
• Lead all aspects of project delivery including engineering, procurement, manufacturing, installation, testing, and commissioning activities.
• Ensure timely delivery of all project documentation, equipment, services, and handover requirements.
• Maintain project risk registers and develop effective mitigation strategies.
• Drive commercial performance through effective management of NEC3 contractual mechanisms including early warnings, compensation events, and target cost management.
• Provide clear and concise reporting to senior stakeholders on project progress, risks, opportunities, and financial performance.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable nuclear regulations, quality standards, and company management systems.
• Lead Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality performance, promoting a strong nuclear safety culture throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead, develop and optimize the project team, ensuring high performance and effective integration of personnel across multiple disciplines.
• Ensure delivery of the project within agreed scope, programme, quality requirements, and budget targets.

We are looking for someone with the following:

• Minimum 15 years’ experience delivering major engineering or construction projects within highly regulated industries such as nuclear, power generation, oil & gas, or similar sectors.
• Demonstrable experience operating at Project Director level with full accountability for projects valued at £20m+ throughout the complete project lifecycle.
• Extensive NEC3 ECC contract management experience, ideally with Option C target cost contracts.
• Formal Project Management qualification such as PMP or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of CDM 2015 regulations.
• Proven experience delivering fire detection, suppression, or integrated life safety systems on major projects.
• Detailed knowledge of nuclear codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• IOSH qualification as a minimum, with NEBOSH preferred.
• Strong commercial, contractual and financial management capability with ownership of project P&L and cost control.

Personal skills

• A highly effective leader capable of managing and developing multidisciplinary project teams.
• Commercially astute with excellent financial and contractual awareness.
• An exceptional communicator who can engage confidently with customers, regulators, subcontractors, and senior stakeholders.
• Proactive in identifying risks and implementing practical mitigation strategies.
• Organized and strategic, with the ability to balance long‑term project objectives with day‑to‑day operational requirements.
• Comfortable working within complex, highly regulated environments where quality and safety are paramount.
• Experienced in working across multicultural teams and multiple locations.
• Passionate about driving a positive safety culture and delivering excellence in project execution.

Salary and benefits

• Highly competitive basic salary.
• Performance‑related bonus.
• Company pension scheme.
• Opportunity to lead one of the UK’s most significant nuclear infrastructure projects.
• Long‑term project security through to 2035.
• Bristol‑based office with frequent travel to the Sizewell C site and occasional travel to Paris.
• Opportunity to work within a global organization specializing in critical fire safety systems for the nuclear sector.

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