Director, Projects

Positioned at the intersection of sustainability, technology, and critical resource recovery, pH7 Technologies is tackling urgent global challenges in mining and metal recycling by providing innovative closed-loop metal extraction processes. We are a dynamic, fast-paced company driven by a culture of innovation and collaboration. Our team is committed to attracting and retaining top, diverse talent who share our vision of building a better, cleaner planet.

Job Summary

As a Director, Projects , you will own project delivery end-to-end across both business units - establishing the processes, tools, and rigour that scale with us as our project pipeline grows. You will build a small but capable Projects function (including document control and project costing), and serve as the operational anchor between our engineering team, R&D function, and business unit leadership.

This is a builder role. You will inherit some structure and bring the rest - from PMO frameworks to reporting cadences to how we track cost and schedule across active projects. Our project portfolio spans a wide range in scale and complexity, from focused smaller optimization projects in the $50K -100K range through to full plant builds exceeding $20M – an ability to manage across that range simultaneously is core to the role.

You will report to the VP, Technology & Engineering, and work closely with them to ensure that R&D findings are scaled via engineering into real life operations.

What You’ll Do

• Own end-to-end project delivery across pH7's active project portfolio — spanning recycling plant operations and mining applications — from initiation through commissioning and handover.
• Establish and run the PMO: Define and implement project management frameworks, stage gates, reporting cadences, change control, and risk registers appropriate for a growing industrial technology company.
• Lead project scheduling and cost control: Develop and maintain integrated project schedules, tracking actuals against budget, forecasting completion costs, and escalating variances early.
• Build out the Projects function — including direct oversight of document control and project costing, with responsibility for identifying gaps and making the right hires or engaging contractors as the portfolio scales.
• Coordinate across internal functions — working closely with R&D, engineering, and plant operations to ensure technical inputs are sequenced correctly and project dependencies are visible.
• Manage external contractors, engineering firms, and vendors: Establish clear scopes, hold contractors to schedule and cost commitments, and resolve issues that threaten delivery.
• Develop standardized project reporting for senior leadership and the board — providing clear, accurate, and timely visibility into project status, risks, and decisions required.
• Support the transition from project delivery into operations — work closely with engineering and plant operations teams to ensure commissioning milestones are tracked, handover documentation is complete, and early operational issues don't fall into a gap between functions.
• Drive lessons learned and continuous improvement — building institutional knowledge from each project into repeatable processes and templates.
• Cross-functional – business dev / projects across the entire lifecycle

What You’ll Need

• 12–15+ years of project management experience in capital-intensive industrial sectors — process plants, hydrometallurgy, mining, oil & gas, heavy industrial, or comparable
• Demonstrated experience establishing or significantly maturing a PMO — you know what good looks like and have built it before, not just worked within an existing system.
• Strong command of project controls fundamentals: integrated scheduling, cost tracking, change management, earned value, and risk management.
• Experience managing engineering contractors and third-party vendors through full project lifecycle — from scope definition through contract close-out.
• Proven ability to work across technical functions — you can hold a credible conversation with R&D scientists and process engineers, and translate technical uncertainty into project risk.
• Comfort operating in a matrixed environment where you don't own all the resources — you're effective at influencing engineers, operations staff, and business unit leads without direct authority.
• Track record of managing projects across a wide range of scale simultaneously — from focused studies and engineering packages to full plant builds in the $20M+ range.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills — you can write a clear project status report and present to a senior leadership team without hand-holding.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, project management, or a related technical discipline. PMP or equivalent certification preferred.

What will make you stand out

• Experience spanning both large project environments (major EPC, big-company capital programs) and early-stage or growth-stage companies — you know the difference and can adapt your approach accordingly.
• Familiarity with hydrometallurgy, mineral processing, or chemical plant environments — you don't need to be a process engineer, but comfort in the technical domain is a genuine advantage.
• Experience standing up a document control function or working closely with one — you understand why it matters and what it takes to do it well.
• Comfort being the most senior PM in the room and operating without a mature organizational infrastructure around you.
• A mindset that combines process discipline with pragmatism — you build rigour proportionate to the situation, not for its own sake.

This is a full-time, on-site position with pH7 Technologies, based at our Demonstration Plant in South Burnaby. Regular on-site presence is required. Occasional travel between pH7 locations within the Lower Mainland may be required to support project and operational needs.

• Salary Range: $160,000-$190,000
• Compensation packages that scale with seniority, including ESOP equity and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive, 100% company-funded extended health and dental coverage
• Access to free and low-cost mental health and wellness resources
• Three (3) weeks of paid vacation
• Ongoing professional development and growth opportunities
• Monthly all-staff team huddles with company updates, team-building activities, and social connection
• Regular opportunities to celebrate team achievements and milestones together

All applicants will be required to participate in a criminal history and credit history background check as part of the onboarding process. All employment offers at pH7 Technologies are contingent upon successfully completing and passing these checks.

pH7 Technologies is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful workplace that values the unique backgrounds, talents, and perspectives of all individuals. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and lived experiences and welcome those who bring diverse ideas and contributions to our team.