Description

The Project Director is responsible for the overall leadership, delivery, and governance of the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) Cruise Terminal Redevelopment Project from early design development (FEL1–FEL4) through EPC execution, commissioning, and handover to SSA Marine’s Cruise Operations.

This role ensures the project is executed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in full compliance with SSA’s CAPEX stage-gate process, sustainability goals, and stakeholder expectations.

Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President, Chief Engineer, the Project Director will coordinate a multi-disciplinary execution team, external consultants (AECOM, BBA, and others), and key stakeholders, including the Port of Los Angeles, City of Los Angeles, regulatory agencies, and SSA’s Cruise Division leadership.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Lead the overall project execution strategy across FEL, EPC, commissioning, and handover.
• Develop and implement the project execution plan in collaboration with Engineering, Procurement, Quality, HSE, Construction, Commissioning, and Operations.
• Provide clear leadership to the project execution team, ensuring alignment with SSA’s values and objectives.
• Own and manage the integrated master schedule and CAPEX budget from development through operational start-up.
• Lead project resource planning to ensure adequate staffing and capability throughout all phases.
• Establish robust monitoring systems for progress, cost, schedule, and risks.
• Report regularly on physical and financial progress to senior leadership and the Board.
• Chair project governance forums, ensuring decisions follow SSA’s stage-gate process.
• Ensure strict application of QEHS policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Oversee permitting and regulatory compliance during development and execution.
• Ensure robust compliance with U.S. permitting and environmental processes (NEPA/CEQA), as well as port and municipal regulations.
• Manage and supervise critical project activities to ensure timely delivery of milestones.
• Ensure alignment of contracting models with SSA’s risk-management policies and incentive structures.
• Manage and oversee all third parties, including engineering contractors, EPC firms, consultants, and regulators.
• Lead change management processes, ensuring rigorous follow-up of change orders with customers and suppliers.
• Act as the key SSA representative to executive leadership, government authorities, and community stakeholders.
• Lead construction, commissioning, and start-up activities, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality delivery.
• Ensure operational readiness, testing, and turnover to Cruise Operations.
• Quantify, monitor, and mitigate project-related risks, updating analyses and escalating issues promptly.
• Capture and report project lessons learned, ensuring feedback is integrated into SSA’s portfolio.

Supervisory Responsibilities:  Yes   

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or related discipline).
• Advanced degree (PMP, MSc in Project Management, or equivalent) preferred.
• Minimum 15–20 years of progressive project leadership experience in large-scale infrastructure, marine terminal, cruise, or port redevelopment projects.
• Proven track record of managing projects with a total installed cost exceeding USD 500M, ideally with direct EPC and commissioning exposure.
• Demonstrated success delivering complex brownfield projects in regulated U.S. environments (e.g., ports, airports, or transportation hubs).
• Demonstrated success in end-to-end project delivery, from early-stage feasibility through engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover.
• Significant experience with contract strategy, negotiation, and administration, including EPC, EPCM, and hybrid delivery models.
• Solid understanding of U.S. construction codes, environmental permitting, ADA compliance, sustainability, and LEED standards.
• Strong understanding of QEHS standards and implementation of safety and environmental compliance programs.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at Board and executive levels
• Deep knowledge of project controls, cost forecasting, and risk management for megaprojects.
• Ability to structure and lead cross-functional project execution teams across engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and operations.
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills to resolve contractor claims, regulatory challenges, and execution risks.
• Fluency in English required, Spanish proficiency an asset.

Work Environment:

• This position supports a long-term, multi-phase project across several locations. During the initial phase of the project (estimated to last 2–3 years), employees may either work from our Seattle, WA office or travel from Southern California to the Seattle office at least once per month. For the following phase of the project, candidates must be willing to relocate to or reside near Long Beach, CA.
• Required job duties are normally performed in a climate-controlled office environment, but may be required to work in extreme outdoor temperatures on occasion as needed.
• Exposure to computer screens.
• Ability to work safely in a safety-sensitive environment with moving equipment and potential operational hazards.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Will travel to project sites and multiple regions, as well as attend required meetings as necessary, including extended off-site stays when required.

Our Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer
 
Benefits:
Eligible employees (and their families) may qualify for medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as having basic life and accidental death insurance, paid disability insurance, including paid parental leave if eligible, and an Employee Assistance Program. Employees will receive paid sick and vacation time, and company holidays if eligible. The company also offers paid bereavement leave, and paid jury duty. Eligible employees can enroll in our company's 401k plan, as well as a retirement plan. Employees will be eligible for discretionary and/or metric-based bonuses dependent on their position.