JOB DESCRIPTION – PROJECT DIRECTOR – ALUMINA REFINERY

Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon
Employment Type: Full-time, Senior Leadership (Project-based)
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer / Project Board

Role Summary

We are seeking an experienced Project Director – Alumina Refinery to lead the construction and delivery of a large-scale alumina refinery project in Cameroon, West Africa.

The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the complete project execution lifecycle, including construction management, civil and building works, contractor management, project controls, commissioning and final handover.

The role requires a strong background in large-scale industrial, mining, metals or process plant construction, with proven expertise in managing complex projects, budgets, contractors, site operations and multidisciplinary teams.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Planning & Contract Management

• Lead the overall delivery of the alumina refinery project from the current stage through construction, commissioning, handover and start of operations.
• Develop and manage the integrated project execution plan, master schedule, budget and cash-flow forecasts.
• Monitor project progress, risks, costs and schedule variances, providing regular reports to senior management and the Project Board.
• Manage EPC, EPCM and construction contractors, including contract administration, claims, variations and change control.
• Oversee procurement and logistics planning for long-lead equipment, bulk materials and construction supplies.
• Coordinate imports through Cameroonian ports and inland transportation to the project site.
• Establish project controls covering planning, cost management, progress measurement, risk management and reporting.
• Coordinate with engineering teams and technology licensors to ensure alignment between design, procurement and construction.
• Review contractor construction methods, resource plans and recovery strategies to ensure timely project delivery.

2. Construction Execution & Commissioning

• Lead site construction activities, including site preparation, earthworks, foundations, structural steel, buildings, tankage, piping, mechanical erection and electrical and instrumentation installation.
• Oversee civil and building works for process areas, utilities, control rooms, warehouses, workshops, offices and site infrastructure.
• Ensure construction quality through inspection and test plans, QA/QC systems, material traceability and third-party inspections.
• Manage site mobilisation, temporary facilities, camps, utilities and site logistics.
• Oversee workforce planning and mobilisation of skilled and unskilled labour.
• Lead mechanical completion, pre-commissioning, commissioning, performance testing and handover to operations.
• Manage punch lists, completion certification, as-built documentation and project close-out.
• Ensure operations teams, standard operating procedures and maintenance systems are ready before plant start-up.

3. Health, Safety, Environment & Compliance

• Establish and enforce a strong Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) culture across the project site.
• Ensure compliance with project safety requirements, environmental regulations and Cameroonian regulatory standards.
• Oversee environmental and social compliance, including permits, community engagement and applicable international lender standards such as IFC Performance Standards.
• Ensure implementation of safety procedures, risk assessments and site inspections.
• Monitor contractor safety performance and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Maintain project governance frameworks, reporting structures, stage gates and risk reviews.

4. Government & Stakeholder Management

• Manage relationships with the Government of Cameroon, regulatory authorities and local government bodies.
• Coordinate with port authorities, customs, utility providers, local communities, lenders, investors and contractors.
• Drive local content initiatives, including local employment, training, subcontracting and procurement.
• Work closely with Finance, Legal, HR, Procurement and Commercial teams on budgets, contracts, insurance, staffing and compliance.
• Support lender, investor and technical adviser reviews and site visits.

5. Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor and develop the overall project management and construction teams.
• Oversee Construction Managers, Project Controls Managers, Contracts and Procurement Managers, HSE Managers, Quality Managers and Engineering Managers.
• Build and manage multidisciplinary teams comprising local and expatriate professionals.
• Establish clear responsibilities, performance objectives and accountability frameworks.
• Develop local talent through training, mentoring and succession planning.
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, teamwork and timely project delivery.

6. Budget, Cost & Project Controls

• Develop and manage project budgets, cost forecasts and cash-flow plans.
• Monitor capital expenditure and ensure effective cost control throughout project execution.
• Manage contractor payments, claims, variations and contractual obligations.
• Identify potential cost overruns and implement corrective measures.
• Establish project reporting systems and dashboards to monitor schedule, costs, risks and overall performance.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting to senior management, the Project Board and lenders.

Candidate Profile

Must Have

• 20+ years of experience in construction, project management and large-scale industrial project delivery.
• Minimum 10+ years of experience leading major industrial or process plant projects.
• Proven experience as a Project Director, Construction Director or equivalent senior leadership position on large-scale projects.
• Experience delivering greenfield or brownfield projects in industries such as alumina, aluminium, mining, metals, chemicals, oil and gas or power generation.
• Experience managing major capital projects, ideally exceeding USD 500 million in value.
• Strong knowledge of civil, structural and building works, with working knowledge of mechanical, electrical and process plant construction.
• Proven experience managing EPC and EPCM contractors, large site workforces and multiple contractor interfaces.
• Strong expertise in project planning, scheduling, cost control, contract management and risk management.
• Knowledge of HSE, QA/QC and international project management standards.
• Experience with FIDIC or equivalent construction contract frameworks.
• Experience working in Africa, preferably West or Central Africa.
• Understanding of logistics, customs, local content requirements and community engagement.
• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Construction, Mechanical or Industrial Engineering.
• Strong English communication skills; French proficiency strongly preferred.

Preferred

• Master's degree in Engineering or an MBA.
• PMP certification or equivalent project management qualification.
• Experience delivering alumina refinery, aluminium smelter or large-scale mineral processing projects.
• Experience working with international lenders, investors and project finance institutions.
• Exposure to IFC Performance Standards and international environmental and social requirements.
• Experience managing projects in remote or challenging operating environments.
• Fluency in both English and French.

Key Competencies

• Strong project leadership and execution capabilities.
• Hands-on construction and site management expertise.
• Commercial and financial acumen.
• Contract, claims and cost management.
• Strong HSE and quality management focus.
• Government and stakeholder relationship management.
• Leadership of multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
• Problem-solving and decisive decision-making.
• Risk management and crisis management.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Schedule Delivery: Achievement of at least 95% of construction and commissioning milestones against the approved project schedule.
• Cost Management: Delivery within the approved project budget, with variations effectively controlled and reported.
• Construction Quality: Compliance with inspection and test plan requirements, minimal rework and successful mechanical completion.
• Safety & Compliance: Zero fatalities and major HSE incidents, with full compliance with safety, environmental and regulatory standards.
• Contractor Performance: Achievement of contractor productivity and progress targets, with effective management of contractual interfaces.
• Commissioning & Handover: Completion of commissioning and handover to operations according to schedule, with complete project documentation.
• Local Content: Achievement of agreed local employment, training and local procurement targets.
• Stakeholder Management: Effective relationships with government authorities, local communities, lenders, investors and project partners.
• Team Development: Development of a competent project team and local succession pipeline.
• Governance & Reporting: Accurate and timely project progress, cost and risk reporting to senior management, the Project Board and lenders.

Additional Information

• Location: Cameroon, West Africa.
• Work Arrangement: Primarily site-based, with regular presence at the project location.
• Travel: Travel to the head office, suppliers, lenders and project partners as required.
• Compensation: Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience.
• Accommodation: Site rotation and accommodation arrangements to be confirmed.

Apply now!