Project Director (Hospitality & Theme Park)

Job Description Overview We are seeking an exceptional Project Director to lead the Project Management Consultancy (PMCM) team on a significant theme park, waterpark and destination development. The Project Director will provide strategic leadership and overall responsibility for project delivery throughout design management, procurement, construction, testing & commissioning, opening, handover and defects liability phases. Acting as the primary point of accountability to the Client, the successful candidate will drive achievement of project objectives related to schedule, cost, quality, safety, sustainability and stakeholder management while leading a multi-disciplinary team of project controls, commercial, planning, design, HSE, QA/QC and construction management professionals, and managing the interfaces with the operator, ride and attraction vendors and specialist contractors. Your role Project Leadership & Client Representation - Serve as the primary representative of the Client across all project matters. - Lead and manage the PMC and Supervision team throughout the project lifecycle. - Maintain full alignment with the Client's vision, governance framework and development objectives. - Provide executive-level advice and recommendations to facilitate informed decision-making. - Establish and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders, authorities, operators, consultants, vendors and contractors. - Chair executive project meetings and governance forums. Project Delivery Management - Lead delivery of the project in accordance with approved scope, budget, schedule and quality objectives. - Establish and maintain project governance, reporting and control processes. - Drive implementation of the Project Action Plan (PAP). - Ensure proactive identification and resolution of issues which may impact project delivery. - Oversee implementation of project management systems, dashboards and performance metrics. Design & Technical Leadership - Manage design development from Concept and Schematic through IFC design and construction. - Lead design coordination across all disciplines and stakeholders, including creative, attraction and operator input. - Direct constructability, value engineering and design optimisation reviews. - Ensure compliance with project standards, regulations, operator requirements and Client requirements. Theme Park & Waterpark Delivery - Oversee procurement and delivery of rides, show systems and attraction packages, including management of specialist vendors. - Oversee delivery of waterpark attractions, including slides, wave and river systems, water treatment and life safety systems. - Manage the integration of ride, show and waterpark systems with civil, structural, MEP and control systems. - Oversee delivery of themeing, scenic and rockwork packages in line with the approved creative intent. - Manage interfaces between the Client, operator, IP or brand partners, specialist vendors and contractors. - Ensure compliance with international ride and attraction safety standards. Programme & Project Controls - Oversee development and maintenance of the Integrated Master Programme, including phased openings. - Monitor critical path activities and project milestones. - Lead schedule recovery planning and mitigation initiatives where required. - Review and approve project controls, reporting and forecasting outputs. Commercial & Financial Management - Oversee project cost management and commercial administration. - Monitor budget performance, cash flow, contingencies and commitments. - Review variation orders, claims and commercial risks. - Provide strategic commercial recommendations to protect Client interests. - Support procurement, tender evaluation and award recommendations. Construction Management - Direct construction management activities across all work packages. - Ensure contractors, consultants, specialist vendors and supervision teams perform in accordance with contractual obligations. - Monitor quality, safety, progress and productivity performance. - Resolve complex technical and commercial issues during execution. Risk, Quality & HSE - Maintain project-wide risk management framework. - Lead risk workshops and mitigation planning. - Promote a culture of safety, quality and continuous improvement. - Ensure compliance with ISO-based quality management principles and HSE requirements. - Drive achievement of zero-harm project objectives. Testing, Commissioning, Opening & Handover - Oversee testing and commissioning strategy and execution, including ride and attraction testing and certification. - Lead project readiness planning and operational transition. - Lead trial operations and soft opening with the operator. - Ensure successful handover of assets including O&M documentation, warranties, spares, training and as-built records. - Manage defects liability period obligations through completion. About you - Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construct

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management or related field. Professional experience leading project delivery for large-scale hospitality, theme park, or destination developments. Strong governance, client-facing leadership, and multi-disciplinary team management. Proven track record in design development, procurement, construction, testing & commissioning, handover and defects liability. Experience with rides, show systems, waterpark attractions and complex interfaces with operators, vendors and contractors. Knowledge of ISO-based quality and HSE standards; ability to manage budget, schedule and risk. Strong communication, governance, and stakeholder management skills. Ability to chair executive meetings and lead project forums.

Project Leadership & Client Representation: Serve as the primary representative of the Client across all project matters; Lead and manage the PMC and Supervision team throughout the project lifecycle; Maintain alignment with the Client's vision, governance framework and development objectives; Provide executive-level advice and recommendations; Establish and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders, operators, consultants, vendors and contractors; chair executive project meetings and governance forums. Project Delivery Management: Lead delivery of the project in accordance with scope, budget, schedule and quality objectives; Establish and maintain governance, reporting and control processes; Drive implementation of the Project Action Plan; Identify and resolve issues impacting delivery; Oversee project management systems, dashboards and performance metrics. Design & Technical Leadership: Manage design development from Concept to IFC design and construction; Lead design coordination across disciplines; Direct constructability, value engineering and design optimisation reviews; Ensure compliance with project standards and requirements. Theme Park & Waterpark Delivery: Oversee procurement and delivery of rides, show systems and attraction packages; Manage waterpark attractions (slides, wave/river systems, water treatment, life safety); Integrate ride/show/waterpark systems with civil, structural, MEP and control systems; Oversee theming, scenic and rockwork; Manage interfaces with Client/operator/IP partners and contractors; Ensure compliance with international ride safety standards. Programme & Project Controls: Develop and maintain Integrated Master Programme; Monitor critical path and milestones; Lead schedule recovery and mitigation; Approve project controls, reporting and forecasting. Commercial & Financial Management: Oversee cost management and commercial administration; Monitor budget, cash flow and contingencies; Review variation orders and claims; Provide strategic commercial recommendations; Support procurement and tender evaluation. Construction Management: Direct construction activities; Ensure performance against contractual obligations; Monitor quality, safety and productivity; Resolve technical and commercial issues. Risk, Quality & HSE: Maintain risk management framework; Lead risk workshops; Promote safety and continuous improvement; Ensure ISO-based quality and HSE compliance; Drive zero-harm objectives. Testing, Commissioning, Opening & Handover: Oversee testing and commissioning strategy; Lead readiness planning and operational transition; Lead trial operations and soft opening; Ensure handover of assets, warranties, spares, training and as-built records; Manage defects liability period obligations.