Technical Director Civil - Contract Worker

Location/s: Hong Kong
Recruiter contact: Maggie Chan
Hiring manager contact: Edward Tang
Employment Type: Contingent - Independent consultant 

Lead the successful delivery of complex, multi‑disciplinary transport projects and programmes in Hong Kong (and the wider Greater Bay Area), spanning rail, highways, aviation access, tunnels, and major civil infrastructure. As Project Director you will own client outcomes, commercial performance, technical assurance, and team leadership—championing safety, sustainability, digital innovation, and excellence in project governance.

Key responsibilities

1) Delivery & governance

• Assume end‑to‑end accountability for project delivery—scope, programme, budget, quality, and benefits realisation—across design, procurement, construction support, testing/commissioning, and handover.
• Establish and chair project boards and steering routines, maintaining clear decision logs, change control, and risk/issue registers.
• Ensure rigorous compliance with Mott MacDonald’s management systems, ISO standards, and Hong Kong statutory requirements

2) Client leadership & stakeholder management

• Act as trusted advisor to public and private clients (e.g., government departments, authorities, operators, developers, and contractors).
• Build collaborative relationships with client sponsors, end users, statutory bodies, utilities, and community representatives; secure timely approvals and permissions.

3) Commercial & contract management

• Own commercial strategy and performance: forecasting, margin protection, cash collection, and contract change.
• Lead contract administration under NEC, FIDIC, and Hong Kong forms; negotiate variations/claims; manage supply‑chain performance.

4) Technical assurance & design leadership

• Oversee multi‑disciplinary design (civil, geotechnical, structural, rail systems, highways, tunnels, E&S, digital/BIM) and independent technical reviews.
• Champion value engineering, whole‑life performance, carbon reduction, resilience, and net‑zero pathways.

5) Team leadership & people development

• Build and lead high‑performing, inclusive project teams; coach project managers and discipline leads; succession plan key roles.
• Promote a culture of safety, collaboration, curiosity, and continuous improvement; align resources to demand and capability.

6) Work winning & market development

• Shape capture strategies, bids, and proposals for priority transport opportunities; craft compelling delivery methodologies and differentiators.
• Develop account plans, market insights, and partnerships that expand our footprint in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

7) Digital, data & innovation

• Drive integrated digital delivery (BIM, CDEs), model‑based design/review, data‑driven performance dashboards, and automation where practical.
• Embed information management best practice and assure data quality for reliable decision‑making.

8) Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE)

• Lead by example on HSSE, CDM‑aligned duties, safe‑by‑design principles, construction risk elimination, and incident learning.
• Ensure project‑specific HSSE plans, audits, and verifications are in place and effective.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or above) in Civil Engineering, Transport Engineering, Project Management or related discipline.Minimum 20 years’ relevant experience delivering large‑scale transport infrastructure, including 10+ years in project leadership/management roles.
• Chartered/Professional Engineer status (e.g., ICE CEng, HKIE, or equivalent).\
• Proven track record directing complex, multidisciplinary programmes (railway stations/tunnels, highways, interchanges, airport access, or similar) in Hong Kong or comparable metropolitan contexts.

Technical & professional experience

• Demonstrable success managing major consulting assignments and/or design & build interfaces across planning, design, and delivery phases.
• Strong command of contract forms (NEC/FIDIC/Hong Kong forms), procurement routes, and commercial governance.
• Hands‑on experience with risk management, change control, and claims/negotiations.
• Familiarity with Hong Kong codes, standards, and regulatory processes (e.g., works approvals, utilities coordination, environmental and geotechnical guidance).
• Leading integrated digital delivery—BIM (ISO 19650), model coordination, CDE platforms, and data dashboards.

Leadership & behavioural competencies

• Strategic thinker with excellent client leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Commercially astute; able to balance technical excellence with business outcomes.
• Inclusive people leader: motivates teams, builds capability, and champions performance and wellbeing.
• Decisive and calm under pressure; transparent and ethical in all dealings.

Desirable

• Hong Kong Registered Professional Engineer (RPE) beneficial.
• Cantonese proficiency advantageous; English fluency essential.
• PMP/APM or equivalent project/programme management certification.
• Experience across the Greater Bay Area and regional Asia markets. 

Join a collaborative, inclusive team with opportunities to grow, learn and contribute to career‑defining work across transport and buildings in Hong Kong.  

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team and personal commitments. We embrace agility, flexibility and trust.