Project Director Occupier

Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries.

Working with our clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, we transform together delivering outcomes that improve people’s lives. Working in partnership makes it possible to deliver the world’s most impactful projects and programmes as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success.

Our capabilities include programme, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions.

We are majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with our partners holding a significant minority interest. Turner & Townsend and CBRE work together to provide clients with the premier programme, project and cost management offering in markets around the world.

Please visit our website: www.turnerandtownsend.com

The primary focus of this role is to support the Real Estate Director and the Ireland Board in developing and growing client relationships, and expanding our presence across Northern Ireland and the wider Ireland region.

This role will lead business development activities, grow our corporate occupier client portfolio, and contribute to the diversification of service offerings. The successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership across programme and project delivery, with responsibility for end-to-end service excellence.

The Project Director will act as a senior leader within the Belfast office, serving as a key client interface while contributing to the overall strategic, financial, and operational performance of the business.

Key Responsibilities

1. Business Development & Client Leadership

• Lead business development activities, including pipeline management, revenue generation, and securing new commissions
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor to key corporate occupier clients
• Support bid strategy, positioning, and win themes for strategic opportunities
• Expand existing client accounts and identify new market opportunities across Northern Ireland and Ireland
• Support the delivery of the Real Estate business plan

2. Project & Programme Leadership

• Lead and deliver complex programme and project management commissions, ensuring end-to-end service delivery
• Advise clients at a strategic level during project inception, including development of delivery strategies aligned to business objectives
• Establish and lead high-performing, cross-functional project teams
• Define and manage project success criteria, including time, cost, quality, and performance
• Oversee project planning, procurement strategies, and delivery execution
• Lead corporate occupier projects, including office fit-outs, workplace transformation, and portfolio programmes
• Support clients in aligning real estate strategies with broader business objectives, including lease advisory, workplace strategy, and occupier market insight

3. Financial & Commercial Management

• Take ownership of project and commission financial performance, including profitability and resource utilisation
• Lead commercial strategy, including contract development, negotiation, and risk allocation
• Monitor project budgets, forecasts, and financial reporting
• Drive efficient resource planning to optimise delivery and margins

4. Operational & Governance Excellence

• Ensure compliance with Turner & Townsend Business Management System and risk management processes
• Establish robust project governance structures, reporting frameworks, and communication protocols
• Implement and manage risk, change control, and performance management processes (including KPIs)
• Ensure appropriate contracts are in place for all commissions in line with group policy
• Oversee the management of design teams, contractors, and supply chain partners
• Drive excellence in quality, health & safety, and environmental performance

5. Leadership & Team Development

• Support the recruitment, development, and retention of high-performing teams
• Lead, mentor, and develop team members, fostering a collaborative and client-focused culture
• Act as a senior leader within the Belfast office, supporting local operations and representing the business in the market

6. Sustainability & Strategic Contribution

• Embed sustainability and ESG principles into project delivery, supporting clients in achieving net zero and environmental objectives
• Contribute to the strategic and operational management of the Belfast and wider Ireland business
• Support continuous improvement and innovation in service delivery

• Degree in engineering, construction management, or equivalent technical discipline
• Chartered status (RICS, CIOB, APM or equivalent) preferred
• Significant experience in the commercial real estate sector, with a strong focus on corporate occupier clients
• Proven track record in leading complex projects and programmes at scale
• Demonstrated success in business development, client relationship management, and revenue growth
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and delivering high-value commissions
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic leadership capability

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.

We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance. 

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Please find out more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com/

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It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time. 

Any unsolicited resumes/CVs submitted through our website or to Turner & Townsend personal e-mail accounts, are considered property of Turner & Townsend and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorised Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Turner & Townsend, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by the Recruitment Team, to submit candidates for review.