Director Engineering, Project Delivery

The role

The Director Project Delivery is accountable for leading the strategy, governance, and execution of a portfolio of capital projects, ensuring safe, compliant, on-time, as-requested and on-budget delivery while building a high-performing project organization at the Bern site.

We’re looking for a leader someone who drives the process of how a strategic investment becomes a physical reality. This is not a generic construction management position; it’s about leading the technical and operational journey that establishes production capacity and infrastructure for blood-based pharmaceutical products. You will be the architect of the project lifecycle, ensuring that every decision—from Front-End-Loading (FEL) to operational start-up for market supply —aligns with CSL’s strategic goals.

You will act as the primary connection between global engineering experts and site-level delivery teams, coordinating project and discipline professionals to ensure complex, large-scale programmes integrate their expertise from manufacturing, validation, and regulatory functions. Your focus will be on keeping cross-functional teams aligned, breaking roadblocks, and ensuring that every project milestone moves us closer to delivering life-changing therapies to our patients.

Why this job

This role sits at the heart of the Bern site’s future. You will lead the teams and efforts that realizes high-value projects where technical clarity and execution discipline make the difference between market growth and missed opportunity. It is your chance to work at the point where engineering, business case strategy, and operational readiness meet; to own the broader site master plan while ensuring every technical moving part is in sync.

For an experienced CAPEX leader, this is a unique opportunity to apply your skills where they truly shape outcomes. You will advise the Board and Executive leadership, influencing the execution strategies that define CSL’s production capabilities for years to come. You are not just tracking a budget; you are building the infrastructure that sustains our mission.

What you’ll do

• Translate Strategy into Reality: Move projects from conceptual definition (FEL) into executable plans with clear timelines, budgets, governance and Flawless Project Execution standards.
• Lead Multidisciplinary Teams on site: Drive a high-performance delivery culture and direct daily activities for the Project Engineering team across design, construction, and operational readiness.
• Manage the Business Case: Maintain accountability for ROI, NPV, and COGS, ensuring capital budgeting and contract negotiations align with project value.
• Anticipate & Mitigate Risk: Evaluate scenarios, manage technical interdependencies, and keep stakeholders aligned on critical path activities and safety standards.
• Advance the Site Master Plan: Derive the right projects and set the priorities to compile the CAPEX budget needs on a 5-year horizon.
• Establish reliable partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, EPCMV partners and suppliers
• Be at the forefront of technical developments and actively contribute within the industry community
• Customer Focus: Embrace the needs and drivers of a 24/7 manufacturing organization and apply a service-mindset to to genereate actionable solutions that integrated with the site’s rhythm wheel
• Compliance Excellence: Ensure safety aspects are paramount, Quality requirements are met and Fiscal as well as Legal regulations are adherered at all times
• Present to stakeholders: Provide concise project briefs, updates and strategic recommendations to Project Steering Committees and Corporate and Site Leadership.

What you will bring

• Engineering Foundation: MS/BS degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical) or local equivalent, relevant industry experience.
• CAPEX Mastery: 10+ years in pharmaceutical engineering/manufacturing, with a proven track record of delivering a blended mix of small and large-scale, E2E programmes.
• Technical Depth: Demonstrable experience in Front-End-Loading (FEL) and a deep understanding of cGMPs, Validation principles, and C&Q.
• Methodical Toolbox: Comprehensive experience with top-tier process and construction safety systems and project management best practices
• Strategic Oversight: Strong knowledge of GEP, EHS-by-design, and the ability to drive the project portfolio including managing the financial aspects of multi-million dollar investments.
• Influencing Skills: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to lead remote teams and navigate complex technical/regulatory challenges.
• Professional Standards: PMP or Professional Engineer (P.E.) certification is highly preferred.
• Proficiency in English and German is a must as well as knowledge of MS Office and key project management tools