Associate Director - Advisory and Transformation

AECOM Middle East Ltd; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 420,000 - 600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

medical

dental

vision

life and disability coverage

paid time off

leave programs

well-being resources

employee assistance

business travel insurance

service recognition programs

retirement savings

employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

AECOM Middle East Ltd seeks an Associate Director - Advisory and Transformation in Abu Dhabi to lead complex engagements across the UAE and wider Middle East. You will combine strategy, operating model design, governance, and capability development while guiding senior executives and government stakeholders through practical transformations.

You will steer client engagements, shape roadmaps, and ensure measurable value delivery through governance, change management, and cross-functional

Qualifications

• 15 years of consulting/advisory experience.
• Experience with government, infrastructure, or Major programs in the Middle East.
• Strong stakeholder management and facilitation capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead client engagements from problem definition through delivery.
• Design operating models, governance, and organizational architectures.
• Develop transformation roadmaps and measurable value realisation.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple workstreams.
• Support business development and client relationship growth.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Executive advisory

Governance design

Transformation leadership

Client relationship management

Job description

Associate Director - Advisory and Transformation

Job Snapshot: Role: Associate Director - Advisory and Transformation | Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE | Industry: Management Consulting | Function: Management Consultant | Experience: 15 years | Job Type: Full Time | Work Arrangement: On-site

AECOM is seeking an Associate Director - Advisory and Transformation in Abu Dhabi, UAE to lead complex advisory and organisational transformation engagements across the UAE and wider Middle East. The role combines strategy, target operating model design, governance, organisational capability, implementation, and client leadership. It requires an experienced consulting professional who can advise senior executives and government stakeholders while translating strategic priorities into practical and measurable transformation outcomes.

Role

This position sits at the intersection of strategic advisory and implementation. The Associate Director will lead client engagements from initial problem definition through solution design and delivery, helping organisations establish future-state ambitions, improve performance, strengthen capabilities, and implement strategic priorities. The role is designed for a leader who can move beyond recommendations to help clients establish operating models, governance arrangements, organisational structures, and practical transformation roadmaps.

Country: UAE | City: Abu Dhabi | Industry: Management Consulting | Salary: Not disclosed | Gender: No Preference | Candidate Nationality: Not specified | Job Type: Full Time | Work Arrangement: On-site

Client Leadership and Advisory

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior executives and government leaders.
• Lead strategic discussions to understand organisational challenges, opportunities, and objectives.
• Facilitate executive workshops, stakeholder engagement activities, and decision-making forums.
• Translate complex analysis into clear recommendations and actionable implementation plans.
• Develop and maintain long-term relationships with senior client stakeholders.
• Guide clients through organisational change and implementation activities.

Strategy, Transformation and Operating Models

• Lead strategy, transformation, and organisational improvement engagements.
• Design capability-led target operating models aligned with organisational objectives.
• Develop governance, performance, and accountability frameworks.
• Lead organisation design and business architecture initiatives.
• Develop transformation roadmaps that connect strategic ambition with practical delivery.
• Help clients establish the organisational capabilities required to support future priorities.
• Ensure project outputs provide measurable value and meet expected quality standards.

Infrastructure and Major Programme Advisory

The Associate Director will advise organisations involved in major infrastructure, transport, mobility, utilities, energy, and development programmes. The work includes supporting organisational readiness and capability development associated with significant investments and transformation initiatives. The position requires the ability to connect organisational transformation with programme delivery objectives and work alongside multidisciplinary teams to develop integrated solutions spanning people, processes, technology, governance, and delivery.

Business Development and Practice Growth

• Contribute to proposals, bids, and client pursuits.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships.
• Support regional business development and market growth objectives.
• Contribute to the development of advisory methodologies and propositions.
• Apply strong commercial awareness when developing and maintaining client relationships.

People Leadership

• Lead and develop high-performing consulting teams.
• Coach and mentor consultants and managers.
• Promote collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Support recruitment and professional capability development.
• Manage project resourcing and team requirements.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams and multiple workstreams across complex engagements.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this position means helping clients define strategic direction, establish sustainable operating models, strengthen governance and accountability, and develop organisational capabilities that support future requirements. The Associate Director will also help organisations improve operational performance and service delivery, implement transformation and organisational change, realise value from major investment and development programmes, and convert strategic ambition into measurable outcomes.

Qualifications and Experience

• 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 in the Middle East.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex client engagements from inception through delivery.
• Experience advising senior executives and government stakeholders.
• Strong stakeholder management and facilitation capabilities.
• 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

Newly hired AECOM employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment. The position is within AECOM 's PCC business line, DCS business group, ME and Africa strategic business unit, and Survey and Estimation career area.

Why Join AECOM

This senior advisory position provides the opportunity to lead complex transformation engagements across the UAE and wider Middle East while working directly with senior executives and government stakeholders. The scope extends from strategy and operating model design through organisational capability development and implementation, providing direct involvement in turning strategic objectives into practical outcomes. AECOM provides training and development programs and access to a global network of professionals.

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision
• life and disability coverage
• paid time off
• leave programs
• well-being resources
• employee assistance
• business travel insurance
• service recognition programs
• retirement savings
• an employee stock purchase plan

About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm providing advisory, planning, design, engineering, program management, and construction management services. Its work spans transportation, water, environment, energy, and buildings for public- and private-sector clients. AECOM reported revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025 and has a global team of more than 50,000 professionals.