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.
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Why join John Cockerill Services?
1. Operational impact: contribute directly to the performance, availability and longevity of critical industrial and infrastructure assets
2. Challenging and varied projects: from short-term projects (±1 year) to long-term programmes (up to 6 years)
3. Field & engineering driven environment: combine technical expertise, customer proximity and pragmatic problem-solving
4. Agile decision-making: engineering, project management and decision centres located on the same site
5. Strong team spirit: collaborative culture, mutual support under pressure and shared success when projects are won
Your role – Project Manager Avant-Projet (AVP)
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.
Your key responsibilities
You are responsible for:
Project & Offer Management
6. Managing avant-projet activities from tender reception to final offer submission, in compliance with customer requirements and Group governance
7. Coordinating engineering studies, cost estimates, planning, risk analysis and contractual elements
8. Preparing structured, competitive and compliant offer files to maximize chances of success
9. Supporting the Commercial Direction during offer follow-up until customer decision
Financial, Contractual & Planning Control
10. Controlling avant-projet budgets, including cash flow curves and financial performance
11. Ensuring the optimal balance between:
12. financial performance
13. contractual and technical requirements
14. customer satisfaction (safety, quality, deadlines)
15. Managing planning activities (baseline schedules, milestones, critical paths, buffers)
Team & Stakeholder Coordination
16. Leading and coordinating multidisciplinary project teams (engineering, site management, legal, purchasing, partners), without necessarily having a hierarchical link
17. Managing interfaces with internal departments, partners, subcontractors and public authorities
18. Identifying opportunities, risks and improvement actions throughout the avant-projet and engineering phases
Client Relationship & Governance
19. Acting as a key point of contact for clients, ensuring clear, reliable and professional communication
20. Building trust-based relationships, particularly in demanding public-sector environments
21. Ensuring appropriate reporting and communication to all project stakeholders, in line with Group governance
Health, Safety & Environment
22. Applying and promoting the Group’s non-negotiable HSE standards, including field presence, safety organisation and feedback (REX)
Your team
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:
23. collaboration and mutual support
24. structured project methodologies and defined processes
25. transparency, rigor and accountability
26. shared responsibility and collective success
Your profile
Experience & technical background
27. Engineering background in electromechanics, electricity or mechanics
28. Generalist profile with a strong interest in technical environments
29. Proven experience in project management, ideally in industrial, infrastructure, energy or service-related projects
30. Experience or strong interest in financial, administrative and contractual aspects of projects
31. Exposure to public procurement environments is a strong asset
Personal & behavioural skills
32. Strong ownership and results-oriented mindset (“winning spirit”)
33. Ability to inspire confidence with customers and internal stakeholders
34. Structured, rigorous and well-organised, with strong planning skills
35. Transparent, authentic communication – able to say “I don’t know” and find solutions
36. Team player, capable of coordinating and motivating others without formal authority
Languages
37. French: fluent
38. English: professional level (mandatory)
39. Dutch: an asset (understanding and basic communication)
What we offer
At John Cockerill, we value your contribution and offer:
40. Attractive salary package with extra-legal benefits:
41. company car
42. meal vouchers
43. flat-rate expenses
44. hospitalization, life, death and guaranteed income insurance
45. variable remuneration (0–25%)
46. profit-sharing scheme
47. Flexible working arrangements, with 1–2 days of remote work per week after onboarding
48. Comprehensive onboarding programme (6 months)
49. Career development opportunities through training, reviews and internal mobility
50. International exposure within the Group
51. 31 days off
The recruitment process
Ready to take on this exciting challenge?
Next steps:
52. First interview with Talent Acquisition
53. On-site or virtual interview with HR and the Hiring Manager
54. Final interview (if applicable)
Is it a match between you and John Cockerill?
Let’s build the future of industrial services together.
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