Director of Projects

The Project Director is accountable for the overall leadership, execution, and governance of major capital projects and programs within the refinery and logistics. This role provides strategic direction and oversight to ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with regulatory, environmental, and corporate standards. The Project Director serves as the primary interface between refinery and logistics leadership, project teams, EPC contractors, and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Governance

* Provide overall leadership and direction for refinery and logistics capital projects, including expansions, revamps, debottlenecking, and regulatory-driven initiatives for the whole company

* Establish and enforce project governance frameworks, stage-gate processes, and decision-making authorities.

* Align project objectives with corporate business goals in the Long Range Plan, operational priorities, and long-term asset strategy.

* Champion a strong safety culture and ensure safety is integrated into all phases of project execution.

* Ensure fit for purpose systems. 

Project Execution Oversight

* Oversee multiple projects or a large-scale program from concept through commissioning and handover.

* Ensure effective project planning, scheduling, cost control, risk management, communication, and change management.

* Review and approve key project deliverables, including project execution plans, cost estimates, schedules, and contracting strategies.

* Monitor project performance and intervene proactively to resolve issues impacting safety, cost, schedule, or quality.

* Ensure projects are built and executed following best engineering practices.  

Stakeholder & Interface Management

* Act as the primary senior point of contact with refinery and logistics leadership, operations, maintenance, engineering, and HSE teams.

* Manage relationships with EPC contractors, licensors and vendors.

* Communicate project status, risks, and opportunities to executive leadership and governance committees.

* Mitigate risks by leading identification of alternatives to meet schedule requirements with minimal changes to scope or cost or quality.

* Ensure effective integration of projects with ongoing refinery and logistics operations and turnaround activities.

* Deliver excellence in reporting against relevant KPIs

HSSE & Regulatory Compliance

* Ensure all projects comply with refinery and logistics HSE standards, OSHA, EPA, PHMSA, and other applicable regulatory requirements.

* Promote compliance with process safety management (PSM), management of change (MOC), and permit-to-work systems.

* Ensure constructability, operability, and maintainability are embedded in project design and execution.

Financial & Contract Management

* Maintain accountability for capital budgets, forecasts, and financial performance.

* Approve major contract awards, change orders, and claims strategies within delegated authority.

* Ensure robust cost control, forecasting accuracy, and financial reporting.

* Support audits and ensure projects are  audit ready  at all times.

* Ensure contractual requirements and obligations are met.

Team Leadership & Development

* Lead, mentor, and develop project management and engineering leadership teams.

* Set clear expectations for performance, accountability, and professional conduct.

* Build a high-performing, collaborative project organization aligned with CountryMark culture and values.

* Inspire the team for superior performance. 

Required Qualifications

* Bachelor s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, or related discipline required).

* 20 years of experience in capital project delivery within refining, petrochemical,  heavy industrial environments or equivalent experience.

* 10 years in a senior leadership role overseeing large, complex capital projects (typically >$50 MM).

* Demonstrated experience working in operating refineries or petrochemical facilities with strong safety and regulatory requirements.

* Strong understanding of EPC execution models, contracting strategies, and project controls.

Preferred Qualifications

* Professional Engineer (PE) or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

* Experience leading projects through front-end loading (FEL) and stage-gate processes.

* Experience with major turnarounds, brownfield construction, and operating-unit tie-ins.

* Strong background in process safety and refinery operational integration.

Key Competencies

* Strong leadership and supervisory skills.

* Safety leadership and risk-based decision making

* Strategic thinking and execution discipline

* Strong financial and commercial acumen

* Influential communication and stakeholder management

* Ability to lead in complex, high-risk operating environments

* Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external personnel at all levels

* Ability to analyze and problem solve a variety of highly technical issues.

* Must be able to work independently and set priorities that support overall company strategies.

Working Conditions

* Office and field-based role within an operating refinery environment.

* Periodic travel to contractor offices, fabrication yards, or other company sites.

* Must be able to meet refinery safety and site access requirements.