Head of Project Management – Lead Large-Scale EPC Projects in Oil, Gas & Refinery | 20+ Years Experience Required
Head – Project Management | Engineering & Construction Sector
Position Title: Head – Project Management
Function: Project Management
Location: [Specify Location]
Educational Qualification: BE/BTech in Mechanical, Production, or Industrial Engineering
Professional Experience: 20+ Years in large-scale EPC/Refinery/Gas Projects
Position Overview
We are seeking a seasoned and strategic professional for the role of Head – Project Management to lead the execution of large and complex EPC projects, particularly in the refinery and gas sectors. The ideal candidate will have more than two decades of project management experience with a proven track record in handling high-value, multidisciplinary engineering projects. This role requires superior leadership, strategic planning, and contract management skills to ensure timely delivery, cost efficiency, and adherence to corporate and regulatory standards.
Core Responsibilities
Project Planning and Execution
- Define and continuously update the Level 4 Project Execution Plan with inputs from the Project Control Manager.
- Prepare and monitor S-Curves, project budgets, and cash flow statements including monthly inflow and outflow projections.
- Lead daily, weekly, and monthly project progress review meetings, ensuring milestones are achieved as per schedule.
- Ensure alignment with L&T’s corporate governance and project delivery framework.
- Develop and communicate the project organogram with defined roles and responsibilities.
- Review and finalize the Execution Philosophy following the site survey.
Resource Planning and Deployment
- Identify and manage required resources including manpower, tools, equipment, and materials.
- Liaise with relevant departments for timely resource availability based on updated execution schedules.
- Organize internal kick-off meetings to onboard the project team with complete scope understanding.
Financial and Contractual Management
- Maintain financial oversight, ensuring project profitability through meticulous budget monitoring and control.
- Approve and monitor project expenditures and ensure adherence to cost baselines.
- Collaborate with the client and internal departments for raising and negotiating change orders.
- Ensure timely invoicing and track payment milestones in alignment with client agreements.
- Lead the preparation and finalization of Project Closeout Reports and secure Project Completion Certificates.
Risk and Change Management
- Conduct comprehensive monthly risk assessments and define mitigation strategies for potential threats.
- Manage project changes, evaluate feasibility, define technical solutions, and allocate required resources.
- Monitor and report adherence to contractual obligations and propose corrective measures as needed.
Compliance and Quality Management
- Ensure all project activities comply with safety regulations, environmental standards, and quality norms.
- Verify compliance with applicable codes, standards, and EIL (Engineers India Limited) specifications.
- Collaborate with HSE&QM teams to integrate safety and quality measures across all project phases.
Stakeholder and Client Management
- Act as the principal interface for clients, subcontractors, vendors, local authorities, and government agencies.
- Lead coordination meetings with internal and external stakeholders to ensure seamless project execution.
- Maintain consistent communication with the SBU Head regarding project performance metrics and KPIs.
Team Leadership and Organizational Communication
- Foster a high-performance culture within the project team through mentoring, support, and accountability.
- Build interdepartmental synergies to enable efficient project resource utilization.
- Lead by example, ensuring open lines of communication, timely escalation of issues, and resolution facilitation.
Key Deliverables
- Level 4 Project Execution Plan
- S-Curves and Project Schedule Monitoring Charts
- Cash Flow Statements (Monthly/Quarterly)
- Budget Allocation and Tracking Documents
- Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Project Progress Reports
- Project MIS and Variance Analysis Reports
- Stakeholder Coordination and Communication Logs
- Project Closeout Report and Client Sign-off Documents
Key Relationships
Internal Stakeholders
- Project Team Members
- Resource Management Department
- Finance, Procurement, Quality, HSE, and Legal Teams
External Stakeholders
- Clients and Consultants
- Vendors and Subcontractors
- Local Authorities and Government Bodies
Shared Cross-Functional Responsibilities
- Collaborate with HSE, Quality Assurance, and Supply Chain departments to uphold project delivery standards.
- Participate in client meetings, regulatory inspections, and partner briefings.
- Present detailed monthly project updates to the SBU and OD Heads.
- Support sales and pre-bid teams by offering insights into cost estimation and execution feasibility.
- Coordinate with legal teams on claims, disputes, and contract negotiations.
Functional Competencies
Essential Skills and Knowledge:
- Proficiency in Primavera or similar project planning tools
- Expertise in EPC contract execution strategy and project lifecycle management
- Strong grasp of applicable engineering codes and industry standards
- Familiarity with Engineers India Limited (EIL) specifications
- Deep understanding of financial management within large-scale capital projects
- Negotiation, stakeholder engagement, and change management capabilities
Candidate Profile
- Demonstrated leadership in managing EPC projects exceeding hundreds of crores in value
- Experience in both greenfield and brownfield project environments
- Ability to lead diverse teams across geographies and functions
- Strong analytical, organizational, and decision-making abilities
- Effective communicator with proven experience in client and government agency interactions
Why This Role is Strategic
The Head of Project Management plays a pivotal role in driving operational excellence, risk mitigation, and profitable project execution. This leadership position requires a combination of deep engineering knowledge, financial discipline, and dynamic stakeholder management. As an integral part of the leadership team, the individual will ensure that every stage of the project—from conception to closeout—is managed with precision, transparency, and strategic foresight.