Advisory - Consulting - Transport Sector Project Manager – Associate Director/ Director - Dublin/Cork/Belfast

Job Description & Summary

We are seeking an experienced senior project leader (Associate Director / Director level) to join our Consulting practice, with a focus on the transport sector. The role offers the opportunity to lead multidisciplinary teams in the delivery of major transport and infrastructure programmes, providing strategic advisory, programme oversight and assurance services that support successful investment and delivery outcomes.

We are particularly interested in candidates with extensive experience advising on and leading major transport and infrastructure programmes. The successful candidate will play a key role in helping clients establish effective governance, manage programme risks and dependencies and deliver complex capital investments in line with strategic, financial and operational objectives.

Embrace the possibility to apply – at Grant Thornton we are constantly upskilling our staff. If you do not meet all of the listed requirements, please do not be discouraged from applying. We value a growth-oriented mindset and are dedicated to supporting you in reaching your full potential.

Roles & Responsibilities

Collaborate within a multi-disciplinary team to successfully deliver and manage projects across a range of key transport sector initiatives, including:

Project Management Delivery

• Leading and advising on major transport and infrastructure programmes, supporting client organisations and senior leadership teams to strengthen programme governance, assurance and delivery performance across major capital investments.

• Defining and driving projects across all stages of the project life cycle, from initiation to delivery, implementation and benefits realisation.

• Establishing and overseeing programme-wide governance, monitoring and assurance frameworks while managing complex interfaces, interdependencies and multi-contract delivery arrangements across large-scale infrastructure programmes.

• Leading and mentoring multidisciplinary teams, fostering collaboration across client organisations, delivery partners, contractors, regulators and other key stakeholders.

• Developing and maintaining robust integrated assurance strategies encompassing governance, risk, cost, schedule, design, change control, benefits realisation and programme performance.

• Leading the assessment of procurement and delivery models, supporting clients in identifying appropriate approaches for the successful delivery of complex infrastructure and capital investment programmes.

• Producing executive, board-level and stakeholder reporting, translating complex programme information into clear, evidence-based insights to support decision-making.

• Embedding proactive risk management, programme controls and governance practices that support successful programme delivery and long-term investment outcomes.

Business Development

• Building and maintaining trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders across the transport and infrastructure sector, positioning Grant Thornton as a strategic advisor and partner of choice.

• Leading client engagement activities, facilitating discussions, workshops and strategic planning sessions to identify client priorities, shape solutions and develop opportunities for future collaboration.

• Engaging senior executives, sponsoring organisations, government bodies, regulators, delivery agencies and industry stakeholders to support successful programme outcomes and sustainable client relationships.

• Developing and expanding key client accounts across the across the transport and infrastructure sector, identifying opportunities to support clients in the delivery, oversight, governance and assurance of major capital investment programmes.

• Leading and directing business development initiatives, including the preparation of proposals and tenders for new transport and infrastructure sector opportunities.

• Collaborating with colleagues across Advisory and the wider firm to develop integrated solutions that address programme, infrastructure and investment challenges across the transport sector.

Skills and Experience

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering or a related field; Master’s degree or relevant professional certification (e.g. PMP, PRINCE2, APM) strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated experience working within large-scale capital investment and infrastructure delivery environments, including knowledge of programme governance, assurance frameworks and stage-gated approval processes.

• 8+ years' experience for Associate Director level, or 10+ years' experience for Director level, leading major transport and infrastructure programmes, with demonstrable expertise in programme governance, oversight, assurance, controls and the management of complex, multi-stakeholder delivery environments.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong project and programme management experience leading and managing large multi-disciplinary teams comprised of clients, consultants, contractors and third-party delivery partners.
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale transport and infrastructure programmes, including the establishment and operation of programme governance, oversight, monitoring, assurance and programme controls frameworks.
• Extensive experience working across the transport and infrastructure sector, with a strong understanding of the governance, regulatory, funding and delivery landscape associated with major capital investment programmes.
• Proven ability to direct and deliver complex, multi-stakeholder programmes across the full project lifecycle, from strategic planning and business case development through to implementation, assurance and benefits realisation.
• Experience developing and implementing programme management approaches, including programme controls, risk management, change control, performance monitoring and continuous improvement frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and advise senior executives, programme sponsors and strategic stakeholders, shaping programme strategy while supporting successful delivery outcomes.
• Strong organisational and multi-tasking abilities, with experience managing multiple priorities and delivering in complex, high-profile and fast-paced environments.
• Significant experience in originating, leading and closing business development opportunities, including major transport and infrastructure sector tenders, frameworks and complex multi-stakeholder bids.
• Expertise in senior stakeholder engagement, including government departments, transport authorities, infrastructure owners, regulators, delivery agencies and executive leadership teams.
• An ability to balance big-picture thinking with acute attention to detail, translating long-term objectives into practical and deliverable solutions.
• A strong interest in the future of transport and infrastructure, with an understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with major capital investment, infrastructure delivery and programme assurance.
• Experience developing and growing client accounts within the within the transport and infrastructure sector, with an established professional network and a strong understanding of market trends, client priorities and emerging investment opportunities.
• A creative, problem-solving mindset and initiative-driven approach.