Job Description

Date: Aug 19, 2025
Location:
St. Thomas, CA
Company: PowerCo Canada Inc.
Level of Experience: Leadership
Job Function: Operations
Job ID: 4116

Project Management Director

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Our Story and Why We're Growing

Our mission has started. Volkswagen Group's largest cell factory in St. Thomas will carry out all battery activities - from processing raw materials to developing a unified Volkswagen battery to managing the European and North American gigafactories. Headquartered in Salzgitter, Germany, we are experiencing the transformation of mobility up close. Our goal is to contribute a positive impact to our global society, the environment and the economy. To reach these goals we need your POWER!

About the Role

The Project Management Director will Lead and oversee the end-to-end planning, execution, and delivery of a EUR4.8 billion international factory project, driving strategic alignment and operational excellence. This senior leadership role ensures the successful rollout of a state-of-the-art, high-capacity production facility while balancing corporate objectives, local requirements, and regulatory compliance.



The ideal candidate will bring extensive leadership experience in managing large-scale industrial projects, a strategic mindset, and the ability to foster collaboration across global teams. This is a high-impact position requiring strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills to ensure the project aligns with corporate goals and meets the expectations of internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, and industry partners.



If you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and have a passion for delivering results on a global scale, this role offers a unique opportunity to lead one of the most ambitious projects in the battery manufacturing sector.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

Develop and execute the strategic vision for the international rollout of the factory project, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and market needs. Define and drive strategic initiatives to facilitate seamless factory start-up and full operational capability. Build, inspire, and lead a high-performing, multidisciplinary project organization spanning global and local teams.

Project Oversight & Governance:

Assume ultimate accountability for the project's scope, schedule, budget, and quality, ensuring delivery within defined parameters. Lead stakeholder engagement, including executive reporting, steering committee presentations, and strategic decision-making forums. Establish and manage project governance structures to oversee risk, compliance, and project performance metrics.

Stakeholder & External Relations:

Represent the organization in high-stakes negotiations and collaborations with government entities, regulatory authorities, and indigenous communities. Serve as the primary liaison with external partners, fostering robust relationships to ensure project success.

Operational Excellence:

Oversee resource allocation, target setting, and financial management, ensuring adherence to target costing and project milestones. Champion the implementation of advanced project management methodologies, including risk and change management, to navigate complexities effectively. Drive alignment across internal functions and external expert teams, including construction, manufacturing, quality, and process engineering.

Team Development & Leadership:

Recruit, structure, and develop a diverse, global project team, ensuring integration of technical, operational, and strategic capabilities. Foster a collaborative culture through mentorship, conflict resolution, and leadership in a matrixed environment. Promote a results-driven mindset while maintaining alignment with corporate values and standards.

Compliance & Continuous Improvement:

Ensure adherence to all legal, safety, and environmental regulations across project phases. Identify and implement opportunities for continuous improvement, leveraging best practices and innovations in project delivery. Drive the rollout of a high-capacity, standard cell factory (up to 90GWh annual capacity), meeting aggressive delivery timelines and quality expectations.

What you bring to the Team

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field. Master's degree or equivalent relevant experience is preferred. 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in large-scale industrial or infrastructure projects, including international ventures. 7+ years in senior leadership roles managing cross-functional, cross-cultural teams in complex matrix organizations. Proven expertise in delivering multi-billion-euro capital projects within strict timelines, budgets, and quality standards. Mastery of advanced project management tools and frameworks (e.g., MS Project, Primavera, Agile methodologies). Strong government relations experience, including negotiations with regulatory bodies and public stakeholders. Deep understanding of construction, production, and start-up processes for industrial facilities. Demonstrated success in budget management, financial reporting, and steering committee collaboration. Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with experience interacting at C-suite and government levels. Proficiency in change management, risk assessment, and conflict resolution. Strategic and analytical mindset with a track record of delivering innovative solutions in fast-paced, high-stakes environments. Expertise in cross-functional, cross-cultural, and interdisciplinary project teams, including matrix organizations. Experience in government relations and negotiation with state and provincial administrations. Comprehensive knowledge of construction, production, and launch processes for industrial facilities. Advanced knowledge of project management tools and methodologies, including project planning, risk management, change management, and reporting. Proven ability to define, implement, and manage project organizations and processes aligned with corporate functions. Proficiency in budget management, including target costing, budget allocation, and financial reporting within project steering committees. Strong leadership and team-building capabilities, including the ability to manage and develop both direct reports and matrixed teams across multiple locations. Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, with experience interacting with senior executives, government representatives, and external partners. Adept at conflict resolution, team coaching, and moderating critical issues to maintain project momentum. Deep understanding of legal and regulatory frameworks, including occupational safety and environmental standards. Analytical mindset with the ability to assess complex scenarios, initiate change requests, and present decision-making documents effectively. Advanced proficiency in project management software and tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera, or similar). Strategic thinker with a results-driven mindset. Resilient, adaptable, and capable of thriving in fast-paced, high-stakes environments. Collaborative approach to leading diverse teams and fostering innovation.

Core Competencies:

Strategic vision and operational execution. Strong leadership in multidisciplinary, international teams. Advanced negotiation and stakeholder engagement. Adaptability and resilience under pressure. Collaborative approach to innovation and problem-solving.

Power Perks

Attractive Remuneration: We offer a competitive and attractive remuneration that reflect your skills, experience, and contributions. Vacation Allowance: We offer our employees competitive paid time off. Plus, you don't need to take any vacation days from December 24 to December 31. Opportunities for development. Relocation Support. Opportunities to participate in exciting company events that give back to the community. Competitive employer paid benefits and overall compensation package with extended health care, dental, vision and mental health support. Pension and Retirement Savings: We contribute to a Registered Pension Plan and matching contribution to a retirement savings plan.



This position is in-person and located in the charming town of St. Thomas ON.




Please note that we appreciate the interest of all candidates, however only those under consideration will be contacted.





We believe that the best results are created in a diverse and inclusive environment. Therefore, all qualified applications will be considered for employment regardless of age, race, religion, gender (identity), sexual orientation, national origin or disability.





PowerCo Canada Inc. is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities including during the application process. If you require an accommodation because of a disability, we will work with you to determine what reasonable accommodation may be available to meet your needs whether it be as an applicant or an employee. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance. If you are selected for an interview and require an accommodation, you are encouraged to advise the Recruiter who will consult with you to determine an appropriate and reasonable accommodation.






Company: PowerCo Canada Inc.
Location:
St. Thomas, CA
Job Function: Operations
Level of Experience: Leadership
Job ID: 4116

Change the Future with Us

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PowerCo was founded in 2022 to become a global battery champion. Headquartered in Germany, we are currently ramping up gigafactories in Salzgitter, Valencia and St. Thomas in Canada with a total volume of up to 200 GWh. We are integrating the entire value chain and building a supply chain as local as possible. With that we are driving the development of a strong, sustainable battery industry in Europe and North America.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

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PowerCo Canada Inc. is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, family status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, or local laws.


PowerCo Canada Inc. is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities including during the application process. If you require an accommodation because of a disability, we will work with you to determine what reasonable accommodation may be available to meet your needs whether it be as an applicant or an employee. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance. If you are selected for an interview and require an accommodation, you are encouraged to advise the Recruiter who will consult with you to determine an appropriate and reasonable accommodation.


Please note that we appreciate the interest of all candidates, however only those under consideration will be contacted.