Project Director

AtkinsRéalis is at the forefront of delivering Defence Infrastructure projects and is on an ambitious journey to significantly grow its presence within the Defence Infrastructure sector. This is a unique opportunity to join at a pivotal moment and play a leading role in shaping that growth from the outset. As a Project Director within the Project Delivery Practice (PDP), this role offers the chance to lead high-profile, complex defence projects across the UK and internationally, while building lasting client relationships, driving business growth, and strengthening delivery capability.

Operating at the heart of the defence industry, the position combines strategic leadership with hands-on impact—guiding high-performing teams, influencing major programmes, and helping to deliver some of the most important defence infrastructure projects of today and tomorrow, all within a collaborative environment that supports flexibility, innovation and career progression.

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of major, complex Defence projects, ensuring safety, quality, schedule and commercial success.
• Lead the successful delivery of major and complex Defence projects across the full lifecycle, from feasibility through to close‑out.
• Provide strategic leadership and governance as Project Director, ensuring safe, high-quality, on‑time and commercially successful outcomes.
• Build and sustain strong, trusted client relationships, acting as a senior advisor and influencing decision‑making at executive level.
• Oversee project performance, ensuring effective management of cost, schedule, risk and reporting.
• Resolve complex commercial, contractual and delivery challenges while protecting business outcomes.
• Apply sector knowledge amd experience across Defence projects.
• Maintain accountability for commercial performance, including contract strategy, financial management and key negotiations.
• Lead, mentor and support inclusive, high-performing teams, encouraging collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to business growth through bid leadership, client development and securing future opportunities.
• Support the ongoing development of best practice and capability within the Defence Project Delivery community.

This role would suit an experienced senior project delivery professional with a strong background in Defence Infrastructure, typically bringing:

• Proven experience delivering major, complex, multidisciplinary engineering projects at Project Director level.
• Strong Defence sector experience.
• Extensive experience leading client relationships and engaging stakeholders in regulated, safety-critical environments.
• Strong commercial awareness, including budget management, forecasting, risk and contract administration.
• Demonstrated leadership capability, with experience building, leading and mentoring high-performing teams.
• A degree in engineering, construction or a related discipline.
• Chartered status (e.g. APM, ICE, RICS or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of health, safety and environmental management.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.

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

• Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices.
• Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise.
• Combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.
• Be rewarded.

We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear…