Project Director (Design)- Rail

SYSTRA is one of the world's leading engineering and consultancy groups specialising in public transport and sustainable mobility. With over 10,300 employees, SYSTRA's mission is to design safe and sustainable transport solutions to bring people together, develop social inclusion and facilitate access to employment, education and leisure throughout the world.

For 65 years, the Group has been working alongside cities and regions to contribute to their development by creating, improving and modernising their infrastructure and transport systems, throughout the life cycle of their projects. SYSTRA is involved from the earliest stages of design through to the testing, deployment and maintenance phases. The company provides all its services in over 80 countries worldwide and generates 74% of its turnover internationally. With its new services, SYSTRA supports its clients and partners in their digital, ecological and energy transition, in order to invent the mobility of tomorrow.

Context

SYSTRA’s Mobility & Railway Business Unit is anticipating future growth, with potential rail projects in the pipeline. To prepare for these possible opportunities, we are interested in connecting with experienced Project Directors who could support our teams and contribute to our mobility solutions.

The Project Director will lead and oversee the successful delivery of the design phase for large-scale, conventional long-distance rail projects. With a minimum of 25 years of relevant experience in rail design and engineering, the Project Director will drive the project vision, ensuring high-quality delivery in line with commercial, technical, client, and statutory requirements. 

Missions/Main Duties

• Project Leadership and Strategy 

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for all design activities, ensuring alignment with client objectives and stakeholder interests. 

• Define the project roadmap and objectives, manage project budgets, and control resources to optimise project outcomes. 

• Establish strong relationships with clients, partners, and relevant authorities to foster trust and open communication. 

• Design and Technical Oversight 

• Oversee the design management process for the rail project, including track, civil structures, systems, and interfacing disciplines. 

• Review and approve the technical deliverables, ensuring compliance with international and local standards, health and safety, and quality requirements. 

• Lead the resolution of complex technical issues and be the ultimate design escalation point. 

• Team Management 

• Build, mentor, and lead multidisciplinary, multicultural and multi-site design teams, promoting a collaborative and high-performing team culture. 

• Oversee the performance of internal and subcontracted design teams, including resource planning, recruitment, and staff development. 

• Stakeholder and Client Engagement 

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the client, managing expectations and ensuring timely communication of all project matters. 

• Liaise with regulatory agencies, local authorities, and third parties to secure approvals, permits, and ensure statutory compliance. 

• Commercial and Contract Management 

• Oversee the project P&L, manage contracts, and control commercial risk throughout the project lifecycle. 

• Lead the negotiation of design contracts and variations, and drive value engineering initiatives to meet commercial targets. 

• Programme and Delivery Assurance 

• Develop and maintain project schedules for the design phase, ensuring deliverables are completed on time and within budget. 

• Implement robust risk management, change control, and reporting procedures. 

• Innovation and Best Practice 

• Champion innovation, digital engineering, and sustainable design approaches. 

• Ensure lessons learned are captured and disseminated for business and industry benefit. 

Profile/Skills

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline. 

• Experience: 

• Minimum 25 years of experience in the management and delivery of rail design or major infrastructure projects, with at least 10 years in senior leadership roles on conventional long-distance rail. 

• Demonstrated experience delivering major rail design projects from concept to detailed design and interface management with construction teams. 

• Skills: 

• Deep understanding of rail engineering standards, project management methodologies and relevant regulatory frameworks. 

• Strong commercial and contractual acumen. 

• Exceptional leadership, negotiation, communication, and presentation skills. 

• Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and complex stakeholder environments. 

 Desirable: 

• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional accreditation. 

• Experience with digital engineering / BIM in rail. 

• International project delivery experience. 

• Familiarity with sustainability and innovation in rail systems. 

Systra is an equal opportunities company; this position is open to all applicants.