Project Director

About us

Hanseatic Global Terminals (HGT) is a fully owned subsidiary of Hapag-Lloyd. Operating from Rotterdam, HGT manages a portfolio of stakes in 23 terminals and complementary logistics services across 13 countries across 5 continents: Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa - with plans to expand its stakes to over ~30 terminals by 2030.

Spanning key regions, its portfolio comprises port terminals and related logistics services operated by Hanseatic Global Terminals Latin America in Latin America and Florida (USA), and, in the booming Indian market, it is present through the container terminals, depots and rail business of J M Baxi, India’s largest integrated terminal and logistics provider. Additionally, HGT’s presence in strategic European hubs, such as Germany, France and the Mediterranean, enhances its global network and allows it to offer seamless, efficient logistics and supply chain solutions to customers worldwide.

At HGT, we are a highly motivated team of experienced international professionals who believe that growth in any partnership comes from trust and dedication. Our commitment to provide highly efficient terminal operations that are safe, sustainable, and reliable is rooted in a simple yet powerful vision: “offering exceptional service quality at all times.”

The project: Hanseatic Global Terminals Aracruz port terminal:

Hanseatic Global Terminals (HGT) is embarking on an exciting new chapter with the development of Hanseatic Global Terminals Aracruz, a state‑of‑the‑art container terminal created in partnership with the Imetame Group. Following HGT’s recent agreement to acquire 50% of the shares in Imetame Logística Porto (ILP), this joint venture marks a significant strategic investment in Brazil’s evolving port landscape and will play a key role in strengthening global supply chain connectivity.

Located in Aracruz, Espírito Santo, the new terminal is designed to be a modern transshipment and gateway hub for the region. Expected to launch operations by mid‑2028, the facility will feature a capacity of approximately 1.2 million TEU, 750 meters of quay, advanced cargo‑handling technology, and 17 meters of water depth, enabling the efficient handling of the industry’s largest vessels.

As HGT and the Imetame Group work together to build and operate this future‑ready terminal, we are assembling a team of talented professionals who will help shape the next major milestone in Brazil’s port infrastructure development. The project represents an opportunity to be part of a transformational venture that will set new standards for performance, innovation, and operational excellence.

The position

The Project Director will lead the end-to-end delivery of a major greenfield container terminal project in Brazil, executed through a joint venture partnership. The role will ensure full alignment with and integration of the responsibilities of respective joint venture partners, where civil infrastructure development is led by ILP, and HGT leads procurement and commissioning of equipment, systems and technology, while laying the groundwork for the future terminal organization and facilitating operational readiness.  

The Project Director ensures the project is delivered safely, on time, and within budget to the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and sustainability. This is a senior leadership role requiring strong stakeholder engagement with the joint venture partner, authorities, consultants, contractors, suppliers, and other external stakeholders, ensuring successful delivery against strategic business objectives.

The role is located in Brazil (site-based with regional and occasional international travel), within JV of Hanseatic Global Terminals (HGT) & Imetame Logistica Porto S.A. (ILP). The position will report to the Senior Director of Operations & Projects HGT / HGT ILP Supervisory Board. 

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Governance:

• Lead the planning, execution, and control of the greenfield container terminal project through various stages.
• Oversee management and supervision by asset and business-related functions.
• Represent the joint venture in relevant supervisory boards, steering committees and working groups, manage progress reporting and oversee performance reviews.
• Build and maintain best practise project control systems, ensuring effective governance of scope, budget, schedule, quality, and risk.
• Drive collaboration, transparency, decision-making and accountability within the joint venture partnership across all activities.

Design, Procurement, Construction & Integration:

• Oversee design, procurement, development, delivery, and commissioning of the (already ongoing) civil infrastructure, container handling equipment, ensuring compliance with design, quality, environmental and regulatory requirements.
• Direct the implementation of technology, IT and OT systems and infrastructure. 
• Oversee procurement & contracting strategies, negotiation support, letting and administration for the JV’s scope. 
• Ensure adherence to contract specifications, schedules, general and specific terms and conditions, performance metrics etc.
• Ensure interface management across all scopes, including design, execution, operational and safety interfaces.
• Embed a strong HSSE and quality culture across all project activities, ensuring compliance with corporate, local, and international standards.

Operational Readiness & Organizational Development:

• Lead and motivate a high-performing multidisciplinary (and multi-culture) project team consisting of both asset and business (SG&A) related roles.
• Support the development of the future terminal organization, including transition of potential project into running business roles.
• Lead the commissioning and testing and ensure smooth transition to operations.
• Ensure safe, efficient, and reliable start-up of terminal operations in close collaboration with (running) terminal management, support ramp-up phase.
• Mentor and develop local project capability and succession planning. Ensure retainment of relevant project knowledge to the company.
• Ensure operational and business processes aligned to corporate global standards.

Stakeholder & Authority Management:

• Ensure long-term value creation and strong JV partnership, represent the JV in its entirety.
• Build strong relationships with local and federal authorities, regulators, port authorities, local communities, suppliers, contractors and other external stakeholders.
• Monitor external conditions including permitting, permitting changes, social environment, and compliance obligations, working closely with legal and sustainability functions.

Financial and risk management:

• Take ownership of the project budget, ensuring rigorous cost management, forecasting and cash flow control.
• Identify and mitigate project risks and opportunities through structured risk management processes.
• Support financial governance, including capex approval, contingency management, and audit compliance in line with the established authority matrix.
• Facilitates and supports periodic execution reviews.

Job requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Project Management or Maritime/Port Development.
• 10+ years’ experience in major capital project delivery, including at least 5 years in senior project leadership role. 
• Proven leadership in port/container terminal development or equivalent large-scale industrial projects.
• Relevant project management related certifications (PMP, Primavera P6, Prince2, AACE CCP etc.).
• Demonstrated mastery of project controls: cost engineering, schedule management, earned value reporting, performance analytics and risk management.
• Experience working within joint ventures or complex multi-stakeholder environments.
• Knowledge of port equipment technology, terminal automation and IT/OT systems preferred.
• Strong contract, commercial and financial acumen, including change and claims management.

Core Competencies:

• Strategic thinker with strong execution capability.
• Highly skilled in stakeholder management and conflict resolution.
• Strong leadership presence with ability to build and manage multi-disciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Governance and risk management capability. 
• Clear communicator in both technical and business environments.
• Commercial and contractual acumen.
• Fluent in English and Portuguese.

What we offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to shape the global footprint of a fast-growing terminal operator.
• High-impact leadership role in a dynamic, global, and collaborative organization.