Job Description

Associate Director – Project Management (Wastewater Infrastructure)
Location: Dublin (Hybrid Options Available, Nationwide Travel Required)
Hours: Full-time, Permanent (37.5 hours per week)
Sector: Consultancy – Water & Infrastructure
Salary: €80,000 – €100,000 (DOE)
Package: Fuel allowance/mileage, overnight expenses covered, healthcare, dental care, pension, hybrid working (generally 2 days from home)
Annual Leave: 25 Days

About the Role
Optimize Recruitment, working closely with our client, are seeking a Senior / Associate Director Project Manager to join a leading consultancy in Dublin. This role will focus on a large-scale Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) programme of works, delivering upgrades to wastewater treatment plants across Ireland.

The position offers a blend of office-based, hybrid, and client-facing responsibilities, with nationwide site visits required on a bi-weekly basis or less. The successful candidate will play a leading role in project delivery, working directly with the client, overseeing technical standards, and managing multi-disciplinary teams throughout the full project lifecycle. This is a senior-level position with long-term progression, high-profile infrastructure exposure, and the chance to influence nationally significant water sector projects.

Salary & Benefits

• €80,000 – €100,000 (DOE)
• Healthcare & dental care plan
• Pension scheme
• Fuel allowance/mileage provided
• Overnight expenses covered for long-distance commutes
• Hybrid working (generally 2 days WFH)
• Career progression & CPD support
• 25 Days annual leave

Responsibilities

• Lead project management for wastewater infrastructure upgrades nationwide
• Act as primary client interface, ensuring strong communication and delivery
• Oversee ECI programmes and manage delivery from early design to completion
• Guide and motivate multi-disciplinary project teams across multiple sites
• Prepare and present monthly reports covering progress, risk, and cost
• Ensure compliance with quality, safety, and environmental standards
• Apply NEC contract knowledge to manage risk and performance effectively
• Drive continuous improvement and champion best practice methodologies
• Manage stakeholder relationships across public and private sector bodies
• Conduct periodic site visits nationwide (overnight stays when required)

Requirements

• Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or related discipline
• 10+ years’ project management experience, ideally in the water sector
• Chartered or working towards APM, RICS, or equivalent professional qualification
• Strong knowledge of wastewater treatment plant projects and upgrades
• Proven ability to manage projects across the full lifecycle (design to delivery)
• Excellent communication skills, able to represent the client directly
• Knowledge and experience of NEC contracts (NEC accreditation desirable)
• Irish/UK water sector experience highly advantageous (international candidates considered)
• Willingness to travel nationwide with occasional overnight stays

For additional information and a confidential discussion on this and similar opportunities, contact Shane Fleming on 083 0885073 or email Shane@optimizerecruitment.ie.

Please e-mail your CV with the Vacancy Reference OR-14274 in the subject line. All applications will be handled in strict confidence, and your CV will not be shared without prior approval.

Job Ref Number: OR-14274 #ORjobs