Environmental Project Director (Upstream)

Who are we looking for?

GHD has an opportunity for a Project Director to join our Environmental Assessment and Remediation Group. The Project Director provides delivery leadership and governance across a portfolio of projects within a program. The role enforces a structured project delivery framework that embeds QA/QC, regulatory compliance, documentation, and verifiable output approval into day-to-day execution.

Hybrid work policy

Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in office, 3 days a week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment. This role can be based in any of our offices in Greater Toronto Area, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton or Dartmouth.

Responsibilities

• Approve project planning and ensure fit-for-purpose execution plans (scope, schedule, resourcing, risk, and stakeholder communication).
• Lead monthly project health checks to confirm regulatory status, schedule adherence, technical progress, risks, and subcontractor performance; assign corrective actions and document closeout.
• Maintain documentation and traceability: ensure outputs are tracked, issued/received transmittals are recorded, and an audit trail is maintained for key deliverables (plans, analytical packages, reports, submittals, meeting notes, corrective actions).
• Ensure communications, reporting plans, and deadline control are defined during initiation/planning and actively tracked to meet reporting obligations on time.
• Oversee vendor and subcontractor governance, including use of prequalified vendors, review of work plans/procedures, and verification pathways consistent with deliverable requirements.
• Enforce output verification and quality requirements prior to external use; ensure competent check/review and director approval are completed and evidenced in the project workspace.
• Coordinate with the Program Manager on escalations, decision rights, and alignment to program-level governance and performance measures.
• Drive a culture of safety, compliance, and continuous improvement—controls embedded in workflows, not added later.

What you will bring to the team

• Demonstrated leadership of complex or high-risk projects within regulated environments.
• Strong grasp of project governance, assurance/verification, and documentation controls.
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams, vendors, and subcontractors.
• Strong planning, reporting, and stakeholder communication capabilities.
• Experience using PMBOK-aligned tools such as communication/reporting plan templates, WBS-based planning, and structured health checks.
• Experience with integrated data pipelines and dashboards that support compliance and performance visibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Geology, Environmental Science or related field
• PE or PG will be highly regarded
• 10+ years of experience in environmental consulting including environmental remediation and site assessments, report writing, data management & interpretation, project coordination, and managing clients
• OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER certification a plus
• Ability and willingness to travel client meetings is required
• Experience with repeatable, high-volume programs where standardization and automation are used to improve efficiency.
• Familiarity with analytics dashboards and data management practices that support compliance tracking and decision-making.