Rail Major Projects Director

Description:

Ireland’s strong year on year economic growth continues, driving growth in population, workforce and travel. This, along with the need to decarbonise transport and to accelerate housing development, has led to a raft of public transport investment. The National Development Plan Review 2025 confirmed Government commitment to total investment of €275.4 billion over 2026-2035 of which €102.4 billion has been allocated for 2026 to 2030 including over €24 billion to Transport. Major rail programmes include MetroLink, Ireland’s first underground metro; major heavy rail upgrade programmes for the Dublin and Cork city region, and across the network; and programmes to renew and expand the Luas light rail system.

Ireland is a key growth market for AECOM. We are already well established, employing more than 700 people in Ireland across offices in Dublin, Belfast, Cork and Galway.

Our transportation clients include the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Irish Rail, Translink and Dublin Airport. We are now seeking an individual with international experience of major rail infrastructure and infrastructure upgrade programmes to lead rail programmes and projects in Ireland.

You will have the opportunity to pursue and deliver world-class rail programmes that create positive social and environmental outcomes, leading complex, multidisciplinary teams across diverse sectors and regions, and working with key clients and stakeholders to achieve their goals.

As a key member of our organisation, you will play a pivotal role in driving the growth and success of our business. We are looking for a transformational leader who can shape our rail delivery capability in Ireland and, bring new technical direction and value to our rail clients and projects.

Here’s what you’ll do:

Safety, Ethics & Quality first

• Identify areas of high risk and act to positively impact programme outcomes
• Advocate for ethical and safe working practices


 

Deliver excellence

• Lead and manage large rail programmes which have a high level of execution complexity and are of significant strategic value
• Provide AECOM with highly experienced technical leadership for rail project delivery in Ireland and in other markets if/where appropriate


 

Thrive together

• Develop high performing delivery teams for rail projects in the Irish market
• Contribute to, and where appropriate lead, development of successful tenders for rail projects in Ireland


 

Innovate with impact

• Drive innovation in technical and management approaches to achieve marketplace differentiation
• Assess long-term and disruptive trends in rail, proactively addressing emerging challenges and opportunities


 

Collaborate to win

• Work with Market Sector Leaders and Europe and India leadership to identify strategic business opportunities and develop solutions to address them
• Contribute to the people development strategy for rail, including identification of talent and development of resourcing plans
• Develop key industry relationships, promote technical practices, innovation, and knowledge management.


 

Requirements

• Significant professional experience in leading the design of large-scale, complex, heavy rail, light rail and/or metro programmes and projects
• Track record of driving high performance, achieving project objectives, and leading large teams in capital infrastructure projects in the rail industry
• Proven ability to navigate complexity and drive innovation
• Recognition within the rail industry and a substantial network in the world of rail infrastructure
• Commitment to fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture that will empower your colleagues to excel and thrive
• In-depth knowledge of rail safety, operations and compliance standards
• Commercial acumen with proven ability to manage large projects and contracts
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills, with a proven ability to build and maintain long-term partner and client relationships.