Project / Programme Director (Ireland)

Around the world, SYSTRA’s specialists plan, design, integrate, test, commission, project manage and deliver mass transit and mobility solutions that are relied on by more than 50 million people every day.
For more than 60 years, the Group has been committed to helping cities and regions contribute to their development by creating, improving, and modernising their transport infrastructure with sustainability, accessibility, and innovation at the heart of our designs. With over 10,300 colleagues globally and around 1000 in the UK & Ireland we are growing significantly and seeking out the very best talent to join the SYSTRA signature team and be part of leading the way in infrastructure design.
 

We currently have an opportunity for a Project/Programme Director to join our growing engineering team, based in Ireland. This position will suit a committed individual who can demonstrate interpersonal skills combined with technical and commercial awareness, and the ability to play their part in growing a dynamic, high performing team.

This is a key role to expand the engineering business by working with the SYSTRA Consultancy Team and Market Directors to develop opportunities, lead and support tenders and deliver a multi-sector portfolio of work.

• Conventional Rail inc. MRT/LRT
• Energy
• Highways
• Environment

This is a business leadership role, reporting to the Operations Director. It is a key role within the Engineering Operations teams leading cross-sector work winning and project delivery within Ireland. It centres leadership of the regional operational portfolio of SYSTRA Ltd Engineering projects and the line management of a team of Project Management professionals.

The primary objective of the Programme Director is to achieve successful delivery of a portfolio of projects and programmes in line with the expectations of our clients and the strategic objectives of SYSTRA Ltd - success being defined as delivering our quality, time and cost commitments as set out in the contract, but more importantly, delivering them safely and demonstrating 3S leadership from start to finish.    

Delivering success will be enabled by the growth and development of a signature team of recognized project management professionals and ownership/implementation of best-in-class methods/processes/procedures and controls to achieve the desired project performance. Looking beyond project management, the role also requires leadership, engagement and influencing of the wider engineering organisation (both in the UK and overseas) to build high performing project teams that give confidence in achieving project outcomes. Monitoring performance closely, the role must influence the wider organisation and make necessary decisions/adjustments to enable high performance across the portfolio.

The role includes input to the profit and loss account for identified operational portfolio of projects, including providing input to annual budget targets in line with the five-year medium-term plan and the monthly management/quarterly review of performance to ensure the targets are achieved/exceeded or corrective actions implemented.

The role is a key enabler of work winning through support to the sales function (in the form of Project Management staff for bids) and driving repeat business with our existing client base. In addition, the Regional Programme Director will support the Operations Director with (depending on the level of the opportunity) with the go/no go and bid review panel to ensure bids are submitted in line with the client’s objectives, the strategy of the business, the annual budget, and the medium-term plan.

As the leader of an operational portfolio of projects, a further requirement of the role is engagement with our client’s senior representatives (usually project and business directors). Building strong client relationships, seeking regular feedback, and acting on our client’s concerns is fundamental to the successful growth of SYSTRA Ltd, building a reputation for successful delivery of our promises.

Main Duties

LEADERSHIP

• Leadership of the Ireland engineering portfolio within SYSTRA Ltd Engineering Business, with strong alignment and relationship with SYSTRA Ltd Sales and Practice functions, SYSTRA Group Operations and Group Technical organization.
• Responsible for the profit and loss account for the operational portfolio of projects, managed through a risk-based project review cycle, the adoption of appropriate project processes and procedures, appointment, selection and mentoring of suitable skilled Project Management teams, use of appropriate global production models and application of profit improvement plans.
• Support the Operations Director in implementing operational processes, controls, procedures and standards in the SYSTRA Ltd IMS and SYSTRA Group Red Book (mandatory) and for the sharing of best practice across projects.
• Operational ‘face of SYSTRA’ for clients, taking Project Board/Steering Group positions on regional projects and frameworks or delegating appropriately. Externally, senior point of contact for clients when escalating project issues and/organising client feedback.
• Key member of the SYSTRA Ltd Engineering Project Management team, supporting colleagues across all functions to achieve the overall business objectives.
• Build and maintain long-term, collaborative business relationships with our clients, partners, supply-chain and other stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance of the SYSTRA Group policies, particularly on 3S, ethics and sustainability and adherence to Company ISO Standards.

OPERATIONS

• Responsible for achieving revenue and margin targets, delivered through competent Project Leadership and review, in conjunction with Practice Directors, with a strong focus on cash management.
• Line management of a team of project management professionals. Recruitment, retention, and development of that team, including annual performance objectives and training/development plans.
• Ensure clear roles and responsibilities and appropriate empowerment/responsibility is cascaded to Project Managers within the regional portfolio; monitor and review regularly.
• Support the Operations Director to implement appropriate organisation structure/key people to ensure robust management of the regional portfolio, with clear roles and responsibilities cascaded through the operational function. Identify gaps and recruit signature team PMO staff to fill those gaps in line with the budget.
• Close liaison with the conventional rail Commercial Team to ensure that all project risks are known and mitigated/minimised. Support the Operations Director with Identification of Operational Risks to be escalated to the Operational Risk Register.
• Ensure projects are properly managed across the whole project life cycle, and especially during handover process and project launching (in accordance with the Red Book)
• Assess and support the production strategy at project launching and ensure continuous review.
• Ensure staffing, process/procedures and controls are followed in relation to project & contract management, projects controls management, production resources and staffing, risk management. Provide evidence to support the Operations Director’s validation Project Organisation structures and staffing.
• Support the Operations Director in the organisation of the monitoring and review process of the conventional rail portfolio for SYSTRA Ltd UK Engineering. Lead reviews for appropriate project classifications levels with a prime focus on risks and opportunities monitoring, operational margin delivery and cash collection. Ensure the appropriate updates are fed into the dashboard reporting to communicate portfolio summary to the Operations Director, Engineering SLT and Management Board.
• Monitor the production/delivery, anticipate, flag and report about difficulties that require wider group support and treat them proactively in close conjunction with the UK Practice Directors, Engineering Director, and Group Technical Directorate, Group Project Controls and Management Directorate or any other Senior Expert.
• Provide operational forecasting and risk/opportunity input to monthly financial reviews and budget process.
• Liaise with Project Controls Function to ensure that monthly resource ‘demand’ forecast is provided to the Practice Directors, relating to all operational projects and portfolios.
• Support, control, and challenge local project teams and engage with key clients, partners and supply chain when required, sharing best practice, and reporting concerns to the Operations Director.
• Ensure implementation and continuous improvement of projects steering and production management (procedures, templates and spread best practices across the business units) in compliance with group policies (IMS), with the support of the Practice Directors.

SALES

• Provide operational support to the strategic sales functions to maximise SYSTRA’s chances of success in both new opportunities and significant contract extensions.
• Sharing of client/project intelligence with Strategic Sales Director and Market Directors.
• Liaise with the Strategic Sales Director to provide PMO staff to support strategic bids and opportunities.
• Ensure a robust project delivery strategy is proposed at bid stage. Support the agreement of appropriate production models for strategic bids.
• Provide appropriate support/input/review to PMO elements of pre-qualifications/bids.

PROJECT GOVERNANCE

• Establish a strong working relationship with the Project Controls and Commercial Teams, ensuring regular coordination meetings are in place.
• Take responsibility for project governance of the regional portfolio. Ensure that all elements of project delivery are reviewed and assessed monthly, including 3S, scope, programme, budget, forecast, staffing, recruitment, global production, quality, contract, risk, opportunity, etc… the Major Project Review Process as defined in the IMS.
• Adhere to clear reporting routines and dashboards inputting to performance summary at portfolio level, whilst providing further detail on key issues arising. Take appropriate corrective action or escalate where necessary.
• Ensure margin improvement plans are in place where appropriate and report on performance monthly.
• Ensure comprehensive risk and opportunity registers are collated for all projects and key risks/opportunities reported monthly through the MPR process and where appropriate to the Engineering Business Management Board.
• Work closely with Operations Director and Commercial Director to ensure Contractual Change is robustly managed on all projects and escalate to clients appropriately where needed.
• Ensure that principles Work Package Management are applied to all project within the regional portfolio.  
• In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed, the job holder may be required to perform other duties assigned by their line manager from time to time.

Why SYSTRA?
Our three core values: Excellence, Connected Teams and Bold Leadership are kept at the heart of everything we do. We strive for the highest levels of technical excellence, achieving the best results through teamwork, both locally and internationally, and reward innovative thinking through encouraging all colleagues to think as leaders. We offer clear and well supported pathways for career development and qualification attainment, a competitive remuneration package including a bonus and private healthcare, an electric car scheme and a broad suite of flexible benefits to suit your lifestyle.

Flexibility
Because we value who you are as much as what you do, we want you to feel supported at work. We offer hybrid working, balancing the benefits of working from home with time in our modern, well-equipped offices for that crucial in-person contact, team development and collaborative working. We also recognise that life doesn’t always run to the same schedule for everyone, so we have a dedicated flexible working policy to support you in tailoring your work life to reach your full potential, for more details on this, please get in touch.

Diversity & Inclusion
We provide a warm welcome and encourage applications from a diverse range of people who can enrich our company and offer perspectives which will drive better solutions in a truly inclusive environment. Our employee led working groups and clearly defined strategy help us to keep at the leading edge of important issues and keep us accountable. We want our colleagues to feel comfortable to bring their whole selves to work and continually seek new ideas and contributions to ensure we continue to grow and develop in this space.

Wellbeing
It’s no surprise that people do their best work when they feel physically and mentally supported. Our SYSTRA Wellness Programme offers a wide range of support; from Wellness champions to free health checks, healthy eating workshops and regular seminars, alongside access to a wide range of external support. We offer two paid days for charity work and an ever-growing social calendar.

Apply and find out more about how SYSTRA can support you in your career journey. If you require any adjustments or financial assistance to support you in your application or interview process please email: reasonableadjustments@systra.com  where your request will be treated confidentially and with respect. We pledge to offer an interview to any candidates with a disability who apply for a role and meet the minimum criteria. 
As we are always looking to expand our team, we would still be interested in hearing from you if you fulfil most, but not all, of the relevant criteria for the role and if you are a returner looking to restart your career after a period outside the workplace – you could be just what we are looking for.