Project Director, Desalination

About the role

The client, a leading international engineering and infrastructure organisation, is seeking a Project Director to lead the end‑to‑end delivery of a strategically important desalination project in the GCC. This is a site‑based, full‑time leadership assignment responsible for engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, commercial management and stakeholder engagement.

Key responsibilities

• Take full command of the contract, technical scope, execution status and commercial exposure.
• Develop and implement an integrated execution plan covering engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, resources, schedule, cost, cash flow, risk and governance.
• Deliver critical milestones safely, on schedule, within budget and to required quality standards.
• Protect profitability through accurate forecasting, disciplined cost control, claims management and cash‑flow oversight.
• Build a project organisation with clear authority, accountability, reporting and decision‑making structures.
• Anticipate and resolve technical, contractual, commercial and stakeholder issues.
• Represent the project confidently with client, consultants, authorities, vendors and subcontractors.
• Establish uncompromising standards for EHS, quality and statutory compliance.

Required profile

• Leadership responsibility for at least one large EPC desalination project.
• Experience as Project Director, Deputy Project Director or equivalent with full accountability for schedule, budget, cash flow, profitability, safety, quality, claims and client relationships.
• Proven ability to resolve serious project delays, technical problems, commercial exposure, claims or stakeholder conflict.
• Experience working in the GCC or another demanding international project environment.
• Engineering degree in Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, Power or a related discipline.
• Stable career progression with measurable delivery outcomes.

Required skills