Project Director - Waste to Energy Plant Development & Execution

We are seeking an experienced and commercially grounded Project Director to oversee the execution of a Waste-to-Energy (“WTE”) plant project under a joint venture structure involving international partners. The role requires a hands-on senior professional who can drive coordination, execution discipline, stakeholder management and recovery planning across the technical, commercial, contractual and operational aspects of the project. This is a 12-month contract role focused on stabilising, accelerating and de-risking project delivery. Key Responsibilities Project Recovery & Execution Oversight • Conduct a rapid assessment of the current project status, bottlenecks, delay drivers and critical execution risks. • Develop and drive a practical project recovery and acceleration plan. • Establish clear milestones, reporting structures and accountability mechanisms across stakeholders. • Monitor engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning and regulatory workstreams. Joint Venture & Stakeholder Management • Act as the key coordination lead between joint venture partners, consultants, contractors, suppliers and regulators. • Manage cross-cultural working dynamics and alignment between local and overseas project counterparties, including China-based project stakeholders. • Coordinate with project stakeholders across different working styles, business practices and communication approaches. • Escalate critical issues early and drive resolution at management and board level where required. • Support governance processes, including steering committee and board reporting. Contractor & Vendor Oversight • Review contractor performance, timelines, claims, variations and delivery commitments. • Work closely with EPC contractors, OEMs and technology providers to ensure execution discipline. • Identify gaps in coordination, sequencing, procurement and commissioning readiness. Commercial & Risk Management • Identify cost overruns, contractual exposure, liquidated damages risks and execution liabilities. • Work alongside legal, finance and technical teams to protect project and shareholder interests. • Ensure proper documentation, reporting and project controls are maintained. Regulatory & Operational Readiness • Coordinate with relevant government agencies, utilities and licensing authorities. • Ensure project planning supports eventual operational handover and plant readiness. • Assist in establishing operational governance, staffing and commissioning frameworks where necessary. Requirements Experience • Minimum 15 years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: • Waste-to-Energy; • Power generation; • Large industrial infrastructure; • Environmental engineering; • EPC project execution. • Proven experience managing large-scale complex projects with multiple stakeholders. • Strong track record in recovering delayed or troubled projects preferred. • Experience working with EPC contractors, OEMs, technology providers, state-owned enterprises, joint venture structures or international project stakeholders, including China-based project parties, will be highly advantageous. • Experience in Southeast Asia projects preferred. Technical & Commercial Capability • Strong understanding of: • EPC contracts; • Project controls; • Construction sequencing; • Commissioning processes; • Commercial risk management. • Ability to read and challenge project schedules, technical reports and execution assumptions. Leadership & Communication • Strong executive presence with ability to manage difficult stakeholders. • Comfortable operating at board, shareholder and project execution levels. • Pragmatic, decisive and execution-oriented. • Able to balance diplomacy with firmness. • Able to work effectively with stakeholders from different business, technical and cultural backgrounds. • Ability to communicate with Mandarin-speaking project stakeholders will be necessary, as the role may involve coordination with overseas contractors, suppliers and joint venture partners on technical, commercial and project execution matters. Other Information • Contract basis: 12 months • Work arrangement: Flexible working arrangement, subject to project needs • Travel: Willingness to travel regionally as required Preferred Candidate Profile This role is suitable for candidates with backgrounds such as: • Former EPC / project directors; • Former utility or infrastructure executives; • Senior consultants with hands-on execution backgrounds; • Senior professionals with experience turning around delayed industrial projects; • Individuals with strong project recovery, commercial risk and stakeholder management experience. Success Metrics The successful candidate will be expected to: • Stabilise project governance and reporting; • Reduce execution bottlenecks and delays; • Improve stakeholder alignment; • Deliver a credible recovery roadmap; • Improve probability of successful commissioning and operational handover. Reporting Line The Project Director will report directly to the shareholders / board representatives of the joint venture and work closely with senior management across the project stakeholders.