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, Construction Management, Architecture or related discipline.
• Minimum 20 years of major project delivery experience.
• Minimum 10 years in Project Director, Programme Director or equivalent leadership roles.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale mixed-use developments, hospitality destinations, mega entertainment projects, resorts, theme park and waterpark developments.
• Proven delivery of at least one major theme park and/or waterpark through to opening.
• Experience managing ride, show and waterpark system vendors and specialist attraction contractors.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects exceeding USD 1 billion in value.
• Strong knowledge of FIDIC contracts and international project management best practice.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary consultant and contractor teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
• Strong commercial, contractual and risk management expertise.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career.

This includes:

• Tax-free salary.
• Life insurance coverage.
• Medical insurance.
• Annual leave balance.
• Company gratuity scheme.
• Discretionary bonus program.
• Annual flight contribution.
• Transportation & housing allowances.
• Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, familycare, personal health, fitness, and nutrition.

Seize every opportunity to sharpen your skills, expand your expertise, and be recognized for the impact you make.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Worker Type

Job Type

AtAtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.