Project Manager Avant-Projet

Are you ready to contribute to high-impact service projects supporting critical infrastructures and industrial performance?

Driven since 1817 by an entrepreneurial spirit and a constant drive for innovation, the John Cockerill Group develops large-scale technological solutions addressing today’s major challenges: low-carbon energy, sustainable industry, protection of natural resources, mobility, security and critical infrastructures.

With more than 8,000 employees
, a turnover of €1.417 billion (2024)and activities in 28 countries across 5 continents
, John Cockerill delivers services and equipment for the energy, defence, industry, environment, transport and infrastructure sectors.

Within this context,
John Cockerill Services supports customers throughout the entire lifecycle of their industrial assets, providing maintenance, revamping, upgrades, engineering, spare parts and operational support to improve performance, reliability and sustainability.

• Operational impact
  : contribute directly to the performance, availability and longevity of critical industrial and infrastructure assets
• Challenging and varied projects
  : from short-term projects (±1 year) to long-term programmes (up to 6 years)
• Field & engineering driven environment
  : combine technical expertise, customer proximity and pragmatic problem-solving
• Agile decision-making
  : engineering, project management and decision centres located on the same site
• Strong team spirit
  : collaborative culture, mutual support under pressure and shared success when projects are won

As a Project Manager Avant-Projet
, you will play a key role in the management of complex industrial and infrastructure projects
, mainly in the context of public and private markets
in Belgium and neighbouring countries.

You will be responsible for the end-to-end management of avant-projet phases
, from the analysis of tender documents and engineering studies to the submission of competitive offers and the transition towards execution teams.

You will report to the Head of the Avant-Projet team
within the Projects Division and manage a portfolio of projects ranging from €200k to €15 million
.

This position combines technical expertise, project coordination, financial and contractual management
, and intensive interaction with customers and internal stakeholders.

You are responsible for:

• Managing avant-projet activities from tender reception to final offer submission
  , in compliance with customer requirements and Group governance
• Coordinating engineering studies, cost estimates, planning, risk analysis and contractual elements
• Preparing structured, competitive and compliant offer files
  to maximize chances of success
• Supporting the Commercial Direction during offer follow-up until customer decision
• Controlling avant-projet budgets
  , including cash flow curves and financial performance
• Ensuring the optimal balance between:
• contractual and technical requirements
• Managing planning activities (baseline schedules, milestones, critical paths, buffers)

• Leading and coordinating multidisciplinary project teams
  (engineering, site management, legal, purchasing, partners), without necessarily having a hierarchical link
• Managing interfaces with internal departments, partners, subcontractors and public authorities
• Identifying opportunities, risks and improvement actions throughout the avant-projet and engineering phases

• Acting as a key point of contact for clients, ensuring clear, reliable and professional communication
• Building trust-based relationships, particularly in demanding public-sector environments
• Ensuring appropriate reporting and communication to all project stakeholders, in line with Group governance

• Applying and promoting the Group’s non-negotiable HSE standards
  , including field presence, safety organisation and feedback (REX)

You will join a multidisciplinary and experienced Avant-Projet team
, working closely with senior and junior project engineers, site managers and execution teams.

The team culture is based on:

• collaboration and mutual support
• structured project…