Associate - Cost Management and Quantity Surveying

AECOM Middle East Ltd; Dubai; On-site; AED 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Paid time off

Retirement savings plan

Employee stock plan

Job summary

AECOM Middle East Ltd in Dubai is seeking an Associate to lead cost management and quantity surveying across large mixed-use and infrastructure projects. You will oversee feasibility studies, budgeting, tendering, procurement, and commercial governance, while mentoring junior staff and maintaining client relationships.

The role is on-site in Dubai with a focus on delivering accurate cost estimates, value engineering, and timely reporting within a robust governance framework.

Qualifications

• 12 years of post-graduation experience required.
• Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or related field.
• MRICS membership is required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary client contact across multiple projects.
• Lead project delivery strategies, scope definition, and commercial direction.
• Maintain client relationships and ensure cost management services meet expectations.
• Oversee feasibility through tendering and completion.
• Support business development and repeat assignments.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationships

Project governance

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or related field

Tools

MRICS

Job description

Associate - Cost Management and Quantity Surveying Job Snapshot - Role: Associate - Cost Management - Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Industry: Civil Engineering - Function: Cost Estimating - Experience: 12 years of post-graduation experience - Job Type: Full Time - Work Arrangement: On-site Position Overview Work with Us. Change the World. AECOM is seeking an Associate to provide leadership within its Cost Management team, overseeing the commercial performance and delivery of major mixed-use and infrastructure projects. Based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the role involves managing a portfolio of projects from feasibility and early cost planning through tendering, construction, and completion. The Associate will ensure that cost management services meet client expectations for technical accuracy, quality, timely delivery, and commercial governance. The successful candidate will lead multiple project teams, manage client relationships, review key quantity surveying and cost management deliverables, and contribute to business development and repeat business opportunities. This is a client-facing leadership position requiring 12 years of post-graduation experience, a relevant bachelor 's degree, and MRICS professional membership.

Job Details

• Country: United Arab Emirates
• City: Dubai
• Industry: Civil Engineering
• Function: Cost Estimating
• Salary: Not disclosed
• Gender: No Preference
• Candidate Nationality: Not specified
• Job Type: Full Time
• Work Arrangement: On-site

Key Responsibilities

Client and Project Leadership

• Serve as the primary client contact across multiple mixed-use and infrastructure projects.
• Lead project delivery strategies, scope definition, and commercial direction.
• Maintain strong client relationships and ensure cost management services meet agreed expectations.
• Oversee project delivery from feasibility through tendering and completion.
• Ensure compliance with company procedures and client governance requirements.
• Support business development activities, framework growth, and opportunities for repeat assignments.

Cost Planning and Estimation

• Lead the preparation and technical review of feasibility studies and associated cost estimates.
• Oversee concept-stage and detailed cost estimates for major development and infrastructure projects.
• Direct cost planning activities to support informed project decisions.
• Review cost benchmarks, risk allowances, and value engineering proposals.
• Ensure cost estimates and plans are accurate, consistent, and aligned with project requirements.
• Maintain technical oversight of cost management deliverables across the project portfolio.

Commercial Management and Financial Reporting

• Review and approve project cost reports, cash flow forecasts, and earned value assessments.
• Ensure project budgets, cash flows, and cost plans align with client requirements.
• Review contractor and consultant progress payment submissions and provide recommendations.
• Assess variations and claims from a commercial and cost management perspective.
• Identify emerging financial risks, commercial opportunities, and potential cost issues.
• Support effective cost control and commercial decision-making throughout project delivery.

Procurement and Tender Management

• Direct the preparation and review of procurement documentation.
• Oversee the development of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and associated tender documents.
• Review tender evaluations and support procurement recommendations.
• Ensure procurement-related cost management activities are consistent with project objectives and client procedures.
• Provide commercial guidance during tendering and procurement activities.

Team Leadership and Resource Management

• Oversee multiple cost management and quantity surveying project teams.
• Establish clear responsibilities and expectations for team members.
• Allocate resources across projects while remaining within approved fee and budget limits.
• Mentor and develop Senior Quantity Surveyors, Quantity Surveyors, and graduate staff.
• Provide technical guidance and support professional development within the team.
• Maintain effective coordination across project teams to support consistent delivery.

Commercial Governance and Quality Assurance

• Lead internal technical reviews of cost management deliverables.
• Ensure reports, estimates, and commercial assessments meet established quality standards.
• Maintain consistency and accuracy across the project portfolio.
• Identify project risks and emerging issues at an early stage.
• Ensure cost management outputs comply with company and client governance procedures.
• Monitor the quality and timeliness of deliverables and address issues affecting project performance.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Bachelor 's degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field.

Professional Membership

MRICS membership is required.

Professional Experience

12 years of post-graduation experience.

Relevant Professional Capabilities

The role requires the ability to:

• Lead cost management services across multiple major mixed-use and infrastructure projects.
• Oversee feasibility estimates, detailed cost planning, benchmarking, and value engineering.
• Review cost reports, cash flows, earned value assessments, variations, and claims.
• Direct procurement documentation, RFP preparation, and tender evaluations.
• Manage client relationships and communicate effectively on commercial matters.
• Supervise multidisciplinary cost management teams and allocate project resources.
• Mentor Senior Quantity Surveyors, Quantity Surveyors, and graduate professionals.
• Maintain compliance with commercial governance procedures and technical quality requirements.
• Identify financial risks and opportunities across a portfolio of projects.
• Support business development, client frameworks, and repeat work opportunities.

Work Location and Business Information

• Employer: AECOM
• Requisition ID: J10161720
• Business Line: PCC
• Business Group: DCS
• Strategic Business Unit: Middle East and Africa
• Career Area: Survey and Estimation
• Work Location Model: On-site
• Workplace Arrangement: Co-located within client offices

Recruitment and Onboarding

AECOM is committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and takes fraudulent hiring activity seriously. All newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding session at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

Employee Benefits and Career Development

AECOM offers employee benefits and professional development opportunities designed to support its workforce. Depending on employment status and eligibility, benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), and disability insurance, paid time off, leave provisions, employee assistance programs, well-being resources, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plans, and employee stock purchase arrangements.

• medical
• dental
• vision
• life
• accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)
• disability insurance
• paid time off
• leave provisions
• employee assistance programs
• well-being resources
• business travel insurance
• service recognition awards
• retirement savings plans
• employee stock purchase arrangements

AECOM also provides training and development programs, access to experienced technical professionals, and opportunities to contribute to major infrastructure and development projects.

Specific benefits and eligibility depend on applicable employment arrangements.

About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm committed to delivering a better world. The company partners with public- and private-sector clients to address complex challenges across transportation, water, environment, energy, and buildings. Its services span the project lifecycle, including advisory, planning, design, engineering, program management, and construction management. With more than 50,000 professionals worldwide, AECOM brings together engineers, planners, designers, scientists, digital innovators, and project management specialists to develop sustainable and resilient infrastructure solutions. AECOM is a Fortune 500 company that reported revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. The company promotes a workplace based on respect, collaboration, professional development, and equal employment opportunity. Applicant information is handled confidentially in accordance with its equal employment opportunity guidelines.