Project Director – Heavy Industrial Mechanical Construction (Oil & Gas / Shutdowns)

Location: Vancouver, BC

Employment Type: Permanent, Full time

Compensation: $160,000–$220,000 (DOE)

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Project Director to lead heavy industrial mechanical construction work focused on refinery maintenance projects and shutdowns in a high-risk, safety-critical environment. This role requires a strong field leader who can unite teams, strengthen safety culture, build trusted client relationships, and drive consistent project performance across schedule, cost, quality, and execution. The ideal candidate brings a hands-on leadership style, strong industrial project delivery experience, and the ability to influence everyone from frontline trades to senior leadership.

Must Haves

- 10+ years of progressive experience in construction/project management within heavy industrial environments, including leadership of large, complex projects

- Proven transformational leader with the ability to improve safety culture, team performance, and communication across multidisciplinary teams

- Deep commitment to safety as a core value, with demonstrated success driving proactive, behavior-based safety practices in high-risk environments

- Strong relationship builder and communicator, capable of influencing stakeholders at all levels from trades to executives and clients

- Hands-on, field-oriented leader who validates issues firsthand, enforces accountability, and makes tough decisions when required

- Experience delivering projects with full accountability for schedule, budget, quality, and risk in fast-paced or shutdown environments

Nice to Haves

- Background in mechanical contracting, industrial construction, or maintenance services within oil & gas or similar safety-critical industries

- Experience leading cultural change, mentoring leaders, and implementing operational or safety improvement initiatives

- Familiarity with project controls, planning,



and performance management within large-scale industrial programs

- Experience working in unionized, trade-heavy environments and managing long-term client service agreements

Responsibilities

- Provide overall leadership and direction for a portfolio of industrial maintenance and shutdown projects within a refinery environment

- Act as the central leader (“admiral”) responsible for aligning all functions including operations, safety, project controls, and client stakeholders

- Drive a proactive safety culture where stopping work, reassessing risk, and doing the job right is prioritized over schedule pressure

- Lead post-mortems and continuous improvement initiatives to address performance gaps and elevate execution standards

- Build and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring confidence in delivery, safety performance, and communication

- Manage both upward and downward relationships, effectively communicating with executive leadership while supporting and guiding field teams

- Identify breakdowns in communication, accountability, and execution, and implement practical solutions to improve performance

- Champion cultural change across the project, particularly in environments where safety, communication, or accountability need strengthening

- Ensure all projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget while maintaining high quality standards

- Work closely with project managers, superintendents, and safety leaders to ensure alignment and consistency in execution

- Provide leadership during high-pressure turnaround and shutdown periods, ensuring coordination and disciplined execution

- Mentor and develop team members, building leadership capability across the organization

- Step into challenging situations, including strained client relationships or underperforming teams, and restore alignment and performance

- Establish clear expectations, enforce accountability, and create a culture where teams take ownership of outcomes

- Continuously assess project performance and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, safety, and delivery

📌 Project Director, Heavy Industrial | Mechanical Contractor | Vancouver / Burnaby - MyGreat Recruitment
🏢 MyGreat Recruitment
📍 Vancouver