Director, Major Projects Office

Competition #

HW26-63E

Title

Director, Major Projects Office

Department

Administration

Primary Function

The Director, Major Projects Office (MPO) provides strategic leadership, governance, and accountability for the delivery of Halifax Water’s major capital infrastructure projects. This role is responsible for ensuring that large-scale, high-risk, high-value, and complex water, wastewater, and stormwater capital projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and sustainably, while aligning with Halifax Water’s strategic priorities and regulatory obligations.

You will be responsible for your personal safety and that of your co-workers by observing all Occupational Health and Safety Rules and Regulations and Halifax Water’s Occupational Health and Safety Program Manual.

Duties & Responsibilities

General 

• As member of the senior management team, responsible for the direction, supervision, performance and development of all staff in the Major Projects Office Department and for contributing to decisions affecting the department in accordance with departmental and organizational policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Develop short and long-term strategic plans for the department ensuring performance targets are set, performance is measured, and resources are sufficient to effectively deliver mandated services in accordance with Halifax Water regulations, policies, and desired service levels.
• Provide leadership in establishing and maintaining a positive workplace culture where diversity is valued.
• Lead, mentor, coach, and develop senior managers.

Strategic Major Capital Projects

• Translate strategic capital priorities into executable programs, projects, and outcomes by establishing strong project governance, leading a multidisciplinary project delivery organization, and ensuring consistent application of project management frameworks, controls, regulatory obligations, performance standards, and long-term infrastructure plans across the assigned portfolio.
• Accountable for the execution of Halifax Water’s major capital infrastructure projects as assigned, ensuring that capital projects, once approved through Halifax Water’s capital planning and governance processes, are delivered safely, predictably, and efficiently, in accordance with approved scope, budget, schedule, and regulatory commitments. 
• Act as the senior authority for major capital projects, providing strategic direction, issue resolution, and decision-making support on complex delivery, scope, cost, and schedule matters.
• Ensure capital investments deliver long-term value, resilience, and service reliability for customers.
• Ensure workforce planning aligns with capital program demands and future capability needs.

Governance, Controls & Project Management 

• Establish the project management methodology and governance framework; ensuring consistent application of project management standards, controls, and methodologies across all major capital projects and how this framework integrates with Infrastructure Planning and Capital Project Delivery.
• Establish and maintain a robust project governance framework, including delegated authority, stage-gate approvals, escalation processes, and performance reporting.
• Oversee portfolio-level performance monitoring, including schedule adherence, financial forecasts, risk exposure, claims, and contractor performance.
• Provide executive reporting and briefings on assigned capital projects status, risks, and emerging issues to senior leadership and internal committees.

Regulatory Compliance & External Engagement

• Represent Halifax Water at senior levels with regulators, consultants, contractors, municipalities, and other external interested parties related to capital infrastructure delivery of major projects.
• Support Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board applications and regulatory reporting through filings and hearings related to major capital projects.
• Partner with internal departments, functions and committees to ensure integrated and coordinated capital delivery.
• Oversee management of community, municipal, and customer impacts associated with major construction activities, ensuring transparency and responsiveness.

Financial 

• Maintain accountability for capital budgets, forecasts, cash flow, and financial controls associated with major infrastructure projects.
• Oversee development and validation of capital project cost estimates, schedules, risk contingencies, and delivery strategies.
• Identify systemic risks, market pressures, and delivery challenges, and implement mitigation strategies at the portfolio level.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to:  General Manager & CEO
Supervises:    

• Senior Managers
• Administrative Support Staff
• Other staff as applicable

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

Education:

• University degree in Engineering with a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation. Post-graduate or advanced degree is desired.
• An equivalent amount of relevant education, professional certification and experience may be considered.

Experience:

• Minimum ten (10) years of progressively relevant experience delivering multi-disciplinary, large-scale municipal, utility, or infrastructure capital programs (often $50M-$500M+ portfolios), Demonstrated success in capital program governance, financial oversight, risk management, and interested party engagement.
• Strong background in construction management, contract administration, and regulatory environments.

Other Requirements

• Eligible for registration as a Professional Engineer with Engineers Nova Scotia.
• A PMO Management Certification, or willingness to obtain.
• Six Sigma (or equivalent) certification, considered an asset
• Valid Nova Scotia driver’s license.
• Must be willing to undertake and maintain the following safety training:
  • First Aid
  • Globally Harmonized System (GHS) (Formerly WHMIS)
  • Additional safety training as identified based on legislative and operational requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of capital infrastructure delivery and portfolio management.
• Strong understanding of water, wastewater, and stormwater systems and utility operations.
• Proven strategic leadership and executive decision-making capability.
• Excellent financial acumen related to capital budgeting, forecasting, and risk management.
• Highly effective communication skills for executive, regulatory, technical, and public audiences. Ability to lead complex change, manage ambiguous situations, and balance competing enterprise priorities.

How to Apply

Applicants who applied previously for this competition do not need to reapply.

Completed cover letters and application forms [PDF] or resumes, stating Competition #HW26-63E must be received by 4:30 p.m., July 5, 2026. Please forward to:

Mail

• Halifax Water
  HR Department
  P.O. Box 8388, RPO CSC
  Halifax, NS
  B3K 5M1

Fax

• View phone number on halifaxwater.ca

Email

• View email address on halifaxwater.ca

Please note: Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted.

Conditional Items Required for Employment:

• Satisfactory background check
• Satisfactory pre-employment testing

Halifax Water is an equal opportunity employer.

Halifax Water’s goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the community we serve, at all job levels. Halifax Water believes a diverse workforce positively contributes to its success, and the success of our community. We encourage applications from qualified African Nova Scotians, LGBTQ+ community, racially visible persons, women in non-traditional positions, persons with disabilities and Indigenous persons. Halifax Water encourages applicants to self-identify in the cover letter.