Project Director

About Unita and the Role

Unita creates environments where individuals enjoy working, shopping, staying, and interacting, specializing in high-end retail, hospitality, health, and commercial fitouts across Australia. The company values people as the foundation of its success and has grown nationally while maintaining its core principles. As the Queensland Fitout team expands, Unita is introducing a Project Director position to oversee the project delivery team and enhance portfolio performance.

Role Overview

Reporting directly to the General Manager, this senior leadership role involves leading a Queensland Fitout project delivery team including Project Managers, Commercial Administrators, and Project Coordinators managing around 15 active projects ranging between $500,000 and $10 million. The Project Director will ensure clarity and accountability within the team, vigilantly monitor project health, proactively mitigate delivery, commercial, and contractual risks, and provide coaching and leadership for problem-solving and complex decisions. The role also includes driving commercial success across the portfolio by improving forecasting, cost management, cash flow, and profit margins, while personally managing select complex or high-risk projects.

Indicators of Success

• A highly effective project delivery team with well-defined roles and accountability
• Comprehensive project setup featuring realistic schedules and early risk identification
• Achievement or improvement of profit margins through effective cost management and timely commercial interventions
• Accurate assessments of project status with issues resolved promptly before escalation
• Proactive management of delivery, commercial, and contractual risks at appropriate levels
• Strong client trust resulting in repeated partnerships

Ideal Candidate Profile

This opportunity is best suited for an experienced project leader who guides teams to achievement rather than resolving every issue personally. The successful candidate will have a breadth of project delivery experience, sound commercial insight, and the ability to provide coaching, challenge assumptions, and make difficult decisions gracefully. They will balance staying sufficiently informed about projects while empowering team members with responsibility and accountability.

Key Attributes of Successful Individuals

• Experienced project leadership with prudent judgment handling complex projects and decisions
• Robust commercial awareness, including expertise in margin, cash flow, contracts, and risk management
• Skilled people leader focused on clarifying expectations, enhancing capabilities, and enforcing accountability
• Composed and credible under pressure or complex challenges
• Trusted in building strong relationships, communicating effectively, and following through on commitments
• Aligned with Unita's values—responsibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Significant experience leading project delivery within fitout or construction sectors
• Proven ability managing complex or high-risk projects
• Demonstrated leadership in developing and guiding project delivery teams
• Strong commercial and contractual expertise
• Experience handling senior client relationships and managing complex stakeholders
• Trade or tertiary qualifications in Construction or Construction Management
• Possession of a General Construction Induction Card
• Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety (preferred)
• Valid driver's licence

Additional Information

If you see yourself as an ideal match for this position, Unita encourages you to apply and explain what makes you a valued addition to the team. The company celebrates diversity and inclusion, promoting a safe and respectful workplace where employees can excel. Applicants who may not meet every criterion but are enthusiastic are strongly encouraged to submit applications. Recruitment for this position is conducted internally; no recruitment agencies should apply.