Project Director – Residential, Student Accommodation, Hotels & Leisure

Company Description

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

Job Description

Due to continued growth of our Real Estate business in Ireland, we are seeking an experienced Project Director to lead the delivery of major development projects across residential, student accommodation, hotels, and sports & leisure sectors in Dublin.

This role combines strategic project leadership, commercial accountability, and business growth contribution, requiring a strong track record delivering complex schemes within the Irish market. You will play a key role in strengthening our market presence, expanding client relationships, and ensuring the successful delivery of high-value developments.

As a senior leader, you will act as a trusted advisor to clients, provide direction to multidisciplinary teams, and take full ownership of project and financial performance.

1. Project & Programme Leadership

• Lead the successful delivery of large-scale and complex real estate developments from inception to completion
• Provide strategic advice to clients during early project stages, including feasibility, procurement, and delivery strategy
• Establish and lead high-performing multidisciplinary teams across all project phases
• Define and manage key success criteria including time, cost, quality, and overall performance
• Oversee planning, procurement, contract administration, and delivery execution
• Manage design teams, contractors, and wider supply chain to ensure best-in-class project outcomes

2. Commercial & Financial Management

• Take full commercial ownership of projects and commissions, including:
  • Financial forecasting and reporting
  • Budget management and cost control
  • Profitability and margin optimisation
• Lead contract strategy, procurement approach, and commercial negotiations
• Ensure effective resource planning and utilisation across projects

3. Client Leadership & Business Development

• Build and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor to developers, investors, and stakeholders
• Support business development activities, including:
  • Identifying and converting new opportunities
  • Expanding existing client accounts
  • Enhancing market presence in Dublin and across Ireland
• Contribute to bids, positioning, and growth strategy for the real estate sector

4. Operational Excellence & Governance

• Ensure compliance with internal governance, risk management, and quality standards
• Establish robust reporting structures and project controls
• Manage risk, change control, and performance tracking (KPIs)
• Promote excellence in health & safety, sustainability, and environmental performance

5. Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing project teams
• Support recruitment and capability growth within the Dublin office
• Foster a collaborative, delivery-focused, and client-centric culture
• Act as a senior representative of the business in the Dublin market

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in construction, engineering, architecture, or related discipline
• Chartered status (RICS, CIOB, APM or equivalent) preferred
• 10+ years’ experience delivering large-scale real estate projects, particularly:
  • Residential
  • Student accommodation
  • Hotels and/or leisure developments
• Strong knowledge of the Dublin and wider Irish construction market
• Proven track record leading complex projects and programmes
• Established network within the Irish real estate and construction sector
• Experience across multiple procurement routes and contract forms
• Demonstrated ability in:
  • Project and commercial leadership
  • Client relationship management
  • Team leadership and development

Additional Information

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/

Join our social media conversations for more information about Turner & Townsend and our exciting future projects: 

Twitter

Instagram

LinkedIn

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.