Project Manager, Ship Repair

Job description

As the Project Manager, Ship Repairs, you will be responsible for planning, executing, controlling, and closing assigned Docking Work Periods (DWPs) under the Halifax Class Work Period Contract (HCWPC). The role serves as the single point of accountability for project delivery within a complex ship repair environment, integrating contractual, technical, schedule, cost, quality, risk, and stakeholder requirements through Davie’s strong matrix model. The Project Manager leads the full DWP lifecycle, from planning and readiness through execution, client acceptance, turnover, and closeout, while coordinating with Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), the Department of National Defence (DND), representatives of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), the classification society, subcontractors, vendors, internal leadership, and the integrated project team. More specifically, you will:

- Own assigned DWP delivery from initiation through closeout, including planning, scope definition, integrated scheduling, execution control, client acceptance, turnover, and final reporting.

- Lead project integration across the strong matrix by aligning estimating, procurement, materials management, planning, scheduling, production, QA/QC, project controls, contracts, finance, commissioning, and other required functions.

- Develop and maintain the project management approach, ensuring plans, budgets, schedules, material strategies, quality requirements, commissioning needs, and reporting mechanisms are integrated.

- Act as the primary project-level interface with Canada, PSPC, DND, RCN stakeholders, class representatives, vendors, and internal leadership for day-to-day DWP matters.

- Monitor performance against approved baselines for scope, cost, schedule, quality, and productivity; analyze variances and drive corrective actions with functional leads.

- Manage risks, issues, changes, inspections, quality records, acceptance activities, and closeout requirements in accordance with applicable HCWPC and project governance processes.

- Coordinate subcontractor and vendor performance, material readiness, work package sequencing, and required project deliverables to support timely execution.

- Report project status through appropriate metrics and governance routines, including schedule, cost, progress, material readiness, client issues, key risks, and decisions.

- Maintain project documentation to support contractual compliance, decision traceability, client confidence, succession planning, and auditability.

- Support talent development by mentoring deputy project managers, assistant project managers, coordinators, and other project team members.

Qualifications:

- Experience in ship repair, marine maintenance, dry docking, vessel modernization, fleet maintenance, or a comparable industrial environment.

- Demonstrated ability to manage DWPs, repair availabilities, or complex maintenance projects involving multi-discipline coordination in a shipyard or marine environment.

- Working knowledge of project management disciplines, including scope, schedule, cost, forecasting, risk, issue, change, reporting, and closeout management.

- Experience coordinating subcontractors, vendors, material readiness, technical documentation, inspections, quality records, and client deliverables.

- Experience working with Canada, PSPC, DND, RCN representatives, classification societies, or comparable government/client authorities in a formal project environment.

- Proficiency with project scheduling and reporting tools such as Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, Excel, or similar systems.

- PMP certification or equivalent formal project management training is an asset.

Core Competencies:

- Promote safety, quality, accountability, client confidence, and continuous improvement in project delivery.

- Apply disciplined project management practices while tailoring the approach to the realities of ship repair, emergent work, and client priorities.

- Demonstrate strong leadership, coordination, and communication skills in multi-stakeholder, multi-trade environments.

- Maintain contractual awareness and disciplined project controls, including clear records of decisions, actions, risks, issues, changes, deliverables, and commitments.

- Use sound judgment, problem-solving, and root-cause analysis to support practical, timely, and risk-informed decisions.

- Develop project management capability by coaching emerging leaders in DWP execution and governance.

- Operate effectively within a strong matrix environment by preserving functional accountability while ensuring project-level integration, prioritization, escalation, and delivery ownership.

Founded in 1825, Davie is Canada’s largest shipyard. We build and repair specialized, essential vessels for government and commercial clients.

Working at Davie means embracing vast possibilities every day and taking part in an adventure where every project leads to something monumental. It’s about tackling big challenges with creativity, determination, and passion.

There’s a real sense of pride in being part of the Davie team. It’s not just about delivering major projects—it’s about innovation and pushing boundaries to accomplish something truly remarkable.

At Davie, we forge the monumental!