Project Director

Position description

At ICF Next E&A, we design and deliver large‑scale communication and event projects that make a real impact across Europe and beyond. Our work sits at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, stakeholder engagement and flawless execution – often in complex, high‑visibility environments.

We are now looking for an experienced Project Director to lead the delivery of ambitious communication and event programmes from start to finish. This is a senior, high‑impact role for a strategic leader who combines deep communication expertise with a strong understanding of event delivery, financial stewardship and people leadership.

As Project Director, you will be the driving force behind complex projects, the trusted partner of senior clients, and the anchor point ensuring quality, control and resilience in fast‑moving contexts.

Your Role:

You will take full ownership of large‑scale, multi‑disciplinary communication and event projects, ensuring excellence at every stage.

Project Leadership & Delivery:

• Lead the end‑to‑end delivery of complex, large‑scale communication and event projects, from concept to execution;
• Translate client objectives into clear, actionable project plans and delivery strategies;
• Ensure operational excellence, compliance and quality control across all project components.

Client Partnership:

• Act as the primary strategic point of contact for senior clients;
• Build, maintain and strengthen long‑term client relationships based on trust and delivery excellence;
• Serve as the escalation point, providing clarity and solutions in high‑pressure situations.

Team Leadership & Governance:

• Build, lead and motivate large, cross‑functional teams of internal and external experts;
• Oversee the work of specialist leads, ensuring quality, timelines and budgets are consistently met;
• Ensure clear delegation of responsibilities, accountability and decision‑making across teams.

Financial Oversight:

• Develop and manage comprehensive project budgets;
• Ensure strong financial control, monitoring performance and implementing mitigation measures where needed;
• Balance ambition with realism to deliver value for both clients and the organisation.

Risk Management & Problem Solving:

• Anticipate risks and proactively manage scope changes in dynamic environments;
• Make critical decisions under pressure, maintaining composure and strategic clarity;
• Solve complex challenges quickly and effectively during both planning and live delivery phases.

Strategic Communication Oversight:

• Oversee communication strategies linked to projects, ensuring alignment across messaging, branding and stakeholder engagement;
• Ensure consistency, credibility and impact across all touchpoints.

Qualifications

Experience & Background:

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in directing and delivering large‑scale, high‑profile communication and/or event projects;
• Strong background in communications, events, or related strategic communication disciplines;
• Proven experience managing complex, multi‑stakeholder and multi‑disciplinary projects.

Skills & Leadership Qualities:

• Exceptional leadership and people‑management skills, with the ability to inspire and align large teams;
• Strong client‑facing experience, with a proven track record of successful client delivery;
• Excellent organisational, planning and project management capabilities;
• High adaptability and resilience in environments with rapidly changing priorities and scope;
• Strategic thinker with a proactive, solution‑oriented mindset;
• Ability to perform at a high level under pressure and tight deadlines;
• Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills.

Why Join ICF Next?

• Lead high‑visibility, high‑impact communication and event programmes across Europe;
• Work at senior level with demanding, purpose‑driven clients;
• Operate in a collaborative, international environment where leadership and accountability matter;
• Shape projects that inform, engage and mobilise audiences at scale.

Working at ICF:

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

Candidate AI Usage Policy:

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair and equitable interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.

Application instructions

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