Project Director (Rail) - Bid Opportunity

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

This requirement is for a bid opportunity only at this stage. Any engagement will be subject to successful project award and final client approval.

The Project Director will be responsible for providing overall leadership, strategic direction, and execution oversight for the conventional railway and freight rail project from award through delivery. The role requires a seasoned delivery leader with extensive experience in major conventional rail and freight rail infrastructure projects, with the ability to direct multidisciplinary teams, manage stakeholder and client relationships, oversee complex interfaces, and drive successful outcomes across all phases of delivery in line with schedule, budget, quality, safety, and operational objectives

Missions/Main Duties

• Lead the overall planning, execution, and delivery of the railway project.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership across all project functions.
• Manage project delivery performance with a focus on schedule, cost, quality, safety, and risk.
• Oversee multidisciplinary teams including engineering, construction, commercial, planning, contracts, and project controls.
• Act as the primary point of contact for the client, consultants, authorities, and key stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, regulatory requirements, and company standards.
• Drive project governance, reporting, decision-making, and performance management processes.
• Lead risk identification, mitigation planning, and issue resolution throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support bid-stage planning, methodology development, staffing strategy, and delivery planning as required.
• Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships to support successful project execution.
• Ensure a strong culture of HSE, quality assurance, and operational excellence across the project.

Profile/Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline. A master’s degree is an advantage.
• Minimum 25 years of total experience in large-scale infrastructure and construction projects.
• Mandatory prior experience in conventional railway and freight rail projects.
• Proven project delivery experience in leading major infrastructure, rail, or transportation projects from initiation to completion.
• Prior experience in a Project Director or similarly senior leadership role, ideally on major conventional and freight railway projects.
• Gulf experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of project management principles, contract administration, commercial management, and project controls.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large, multicultural, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent client management, stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Strong understanding of HSE, quality, risk, and compliance requirements for major projects, including conventional and freight railway systems.

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

Workplace Type

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Why SYSTRA?