Associate Director - Advisory

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM, a global infrastructure firm, seeks an Associate Director to lead advisory and transformation engagements across the UAE and Middle East. You will shape strategy, operating models and governance, working with senior clients to deliver measurable change.

You'll build capable teams, design roadmaps and drive implementation across infrastructure, transport and energy sectors, ensuring value and sustainable outcomes for major programmes.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in consulting, advisory, transformation or organisational change.
• Experience with government and infrastructure sectors in the Middle East.
• Proven track in leading complex client engagements.
• Experience advising senior executives and government stakeholders.
• Strong stakeholder management and facilitation skills.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and multiple workstreams.
• Strong commercial awareness and client relationship management.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex strategy, transformation, and operating model engagements.
• Shape strategy, governance, and organisation design.
• Develop transformation roadmaps and client-ready deliverables.
• Lead client engagements and mentor teams.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams across people, process, technology, governance and delivery.

Skills

Strategy leadership

Stakeholder management

Multidisciplinary teams

Client engagements

Government stakeholders

Commercial acumen

Communication skills

Job description

• Legal Entity: AECOM MIDDLE EAST LIMITED DUBAI BRANCH
• Business Line: PCC
• Work Location Model: On-Site
• Operating Group: International
• Primary Location: AE - Abu Dhabi, UAE - Site - Interna

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

We are seeking an Associate Director to lead complex advisory and transformation engagements across the UAE and wider Middle East.

This role sits at the intersection of strategy, operating model design, organisational transformation and implementation. You will work closely with senior client stakeholders to define future-state ambition, solve complex organisational challenges, improve performance and enable the successful delivery of strategic priorities.

This is not a traditional strategy consulting role focused solely on recommendations. We are looking for leaders who are equally comfortable shaping strategy, designing operating models, establishing governance arrangements, building organisational capability and supporting implementation.

You will play a key role in leading client engagements, developing high performing teams and delivering impactful outcomes across a range of sectors.

Key Responsibilities

Client Leadership & Advisory

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior executives and government leaders.
• Lead strategic discussions to understand client challenges, opportunities and objectives.
• Facilitate executive workshops, stakeholder engagement activities and decision-making forums.
• Translate complex analysis into clear, actionable recommendations and implementation plans.
• Build and maintain long‑term client relationships.
• Lead the delivery of strategy, transformation and organisational improvement engagements.
• Design capability‑led target operating models aligned to organisational objectives.
• Develop governance, performance and accountability frameworks.
• Lead organisation design and business architecture initiatives.
• Develop transformation roadmaps that translate ambition into delivery.
• Advise organisations responsible for major infrastructure, transport, mobility, utilities, energy and development programmes.
• Support organisational readiness and capability development linked to large‑scale investments and transformation initiatives.
• Connect organisational transformation requirements with programme delivery objectives.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated solutions across people, process, technology, governance and delivery.

Business Development & Practice Growth

• Support proposals, bids and client pursues.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships.
• Contribute to the development of advisory methodologies, and propositions.
• Support regional business development activities and market growth objectives.
• Lead and develop high performing teams.
• Coach and mentor consultants and managers.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Support recruitment, capability development and team growth.
• Ensure effective project resourcing and team management.
• Support clients through organisational change and implementation.
• Ensure all project outputs are delivered to a high standard and provide measurable value.

What Success Looks Like

In this role, you will help clients to:

• Define strategic direction and organisational priorities.
• Design effective and sustainable operating models.
• Establish governance, accountability and performance frameworks.
• Build organisational capabilities required for future success.
• Improve operational performance and service delivery.
• Deliver successful transformation and organisational change.
• Realise benefits from major investment and development programmes.
• Translate strategic ambition into measurable outcomes.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience within consulting, advisory, transformation or organisational change environments.
• Experience working with government, built environment, real estate, infrastructure, transport, utilities, water, energy or development organisations within the Middle East.
• Demonstrable experience leading complex client engagements from inception through delivery.
• Experience advising senior executives and government stakeholders.
• Strong stakeholder management and facilitation skills.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and multiple workstreams.
• Strong commercial awareness and client relationship management capability.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.

Additional Information

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in‑person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options,well‑being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public‑and private‑sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting‑edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award‑winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.