Project Director – Greenfield DRI/HBI Plant

About the role

Lead and direct the in‑country owner’s project team through the full lifecycle of a greenfield 2.5 Mtpa Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) / Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) plant in Duqm, Oman. The role is accountable for engineering definition, cost estimate accuracy, schedule integrity, HSE performance and all stakeholder interfaces to deliver the project on time, on budget and to the required quality.

Key responsibilities

• Provide day‑to‑day direction to the owner’s project team and exercise decision‑making authority across all workstreams.
• Direct and manage the Owner’s Engineer and EPC contractors for the DRI/HBI process plant, Balance of Plant and Materials Handling packages.
• Own and drive the master schedule, integrating engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, utilities and port readiness.
• Maintain the project cost estimate to the accuracy required for Final Investment Decision and lender due diligence.
• Represent the company with host‑country authorities, port developers, utility providers and other project counterparties.
• Provide HSE leadership and embed performance standards into engineering, procurement and construction practices.
• Support strategic direction, risk management and stakeholder reporting with Group senior leadership.
• Engage with project finance lenders, independent technical advisors and equity investors during due‑diligence exercises.

Required profile

• Minimum 20 years of experience in major capital projects in heavy industry, with director‑level accountability on at least one greenfield plant of USD 500 million +.
• Direct experience with integrated steel, DRI or comparable gas‑based process plants (petrochemical, fertilizer, ammonia or methanol megaprojects considered).
• Proven track record across the full project lifecycle: feasibility, FEED, EPC tender and award, construction, commissioning and early operations.
• Strong commercial and contractual acumen, including FIDIC‑based EPC contracts and PMC arrangements.
• Middle‑East or GCC delivery experience preferred; prior work in Oman is an advantage.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical or related engineering; Master’s or Chartered Engineer status preferred.

Required skills

• Project management
• EPC contract management (FIDIC)
• Cost estimating
• Schedule management
• HSE leadership