Associate Director - Cost Estimating and Management (Aviation)

AtkinsRealis Project Management L.L.C. - S.P.C.; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 800,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tax-free salary

Life insurance

Medical insurance

Annual leave balance

Company gratuity scheme

Discretionary bonus program

Annual flight contribution

Transportation & housing allowances

Employee Wellbeing Program

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis seeks an Associate Director – Cost & Commercial (Aviation) to lead cost advisory and commercial strategies for major aviation projects in the Middle East. The role is client‑facing at senior stakeholder level and involves developing capital expenditure plans and governance frameworks.

You will lead a team, drive growth of aviation cost advisory, and collaborate with global cost consultancy teams to deliver integrated solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or a related field.
• 18+ years of experience, including extensive aviation cost and commercial roles.
• At least 5 years in a senior leadership/managerial role.
• Proven track record leading large aviation infrastructure projects and delivering advisory services.
• Strong understanding of aviation infrastructure and procurement models (EPC, D&B, PPP).
• Proficiency in cost management tools; advanced Excel and data analysis.
• Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder management abilities.
• Strong analytical, commercial and strategic thinking skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost and commercial advisory services for aviation clients regionally.
• Define regional aviation cost and commercial strategy aligned with global best practices.
• Act as trusted advisor to senior stakeholders including airport authorities and investors.
• Lead development of CAPEX plans, cost models and investment strategies.
• Oversee procurement strategies and contract frameworks for major programmes.
• Mentor and lead a team of cost and commercial professionals.
• Develop and maintain a robust aviation cost benchmark database.
• Drive business development, client engagement and key account management.
• Lead preparation of strategic bids and commercial submissions.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Ensure governance, risk management and financial control across engagements.

Skills

Leadership

Cost management

Aviation sector experience

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Communication skills

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Primavera P6

CostX

SAP

Excel

Job description

Job Description Overview

We are seeking an Associate Director – Cost & Commercial (Aviation) to join our team and take the lead in providing our airport clients with expert, cost advice and advisory services.

Utilising your extensive experience across global aviation projects and within the Middle East, you will lead the development, oversight, and governance of cost and commercial strategies for major aviation programmes and capital investments.

You will be responsible for leading cost advisory services, commercial structuring, and financial planning across large and complex airport developments.

You will act as the regional focal point for aviation cost and commercial excellence, leading bids, client engagement, and project delivery, while driving growth of the aviation cost advisory capability.

You will possess a strong track record in strategic cost leadership, commercial management, and client advisory, with deep aviation sector expertise.

You will operate with a ‘top-down’ strategic cost approach, leveraging global benchmarks, deep understanding of aviation asset development, procurement methodologies, and commercial frameworks to influence client investment decisions and project outcomes.

This role will be highly client-facing, operating at senior stakeholder and executive level, while also acting as the interface between the Aviation Market team and broader Cost Consultancy and Management teams across the region and globally.

Your role

Lead all aspects of cost and commercial advisory services to aviation clients across the Middle East at a strategic and program level.

Define and implement regional aviation cost and commercial strategy, ensuring alignment with global best practices.

Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, including airport authorities, government entities, and private investors.

Lead development of capital expenditure plans, cost models, and investment strategies for complex aviation infrastructure projects.

Oversee commercial structuring, procurement strategies, and contract frameworks for major programmes.

Lead and mentor a team of cost and commercial professionals, ensuring high-quality delivery and capability development.

Develop and maintain a robust aviation cost benchmark database to support advisory services and strategic decision-making.

Drive business development, client engagement, and key account management within the aviation sector.

Lead preparation of strategic bids, proposals, and commercial submissions for major aviation opportunities.

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated solutions across large-scale programmes.

Ensure strong governance, risk management, and financial control across all engagements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or a related field.
• Minimum 18 years of experience, including: Extensive experience in cost and commercial roles within the aviation sector
• At least 5 years in a senior leadership or managerial role
• Proven track record in leading large-scale aviation infrastructure projects and capital programmes and delivering strategic cost advisory and commercial management services
• Strong understanding of Aviation infrastructure, including terminals, airside, and landside developments,
• Strong understanding of Procurement and commercial models (EPC, Design & Build, PPP, etc.)
• Proficiency in cost management tools (e.g., Primavera, CostX, SAP, or similar).
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Strong analytical, commercial, and strategic thinking skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certification (e.g., MRICS, FRICS, PMP, CCP) is preferred.
• Experience with major international airport operators or aviation authorities.
• Familiarity with ICAO, FAA, or EASA standards.
• Experience working across multiple geographies, with Middle East experience highly desirable.

Rewards & benefits

• Tax-free salary.
• Life insurance coverage.
• Medical insurance.
• Annual leave balance.
• Company gratuity scheme.
• Discretionary bonus program.
• Annual flight contribution.
• Transportation & housing allowances.
• Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, personal health, fitness, and nutrition.
• Seize every opportunity to sharpen your skills, expand your expertise, and be recognized for the impact you make.

About AtkinsRéalis

We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We’re committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people. Find out more. #CMME

Worker Type Employee Job Type Contractual (Fixed Term)

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.

Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-class engineering services and nuclear company dedicated to engineering a better future for our planet and its people. We create sustainable solutions that connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. We deploy global capabilities locally to our clients and deliver unique end-to-end services across the whole life cycle of an asset including consulting, advisory & environmental services, intelligent networks & cybersecurity, design & engineering, procurement, project & construction management, operations & maintenance, decommissioning and capital. The breadth and depth of our capabilities are delivered to clients in strategic sectors such as Engineering Services, Nuclear and Capital.

News and information are available at Atkinsrealis or follow us on LinkedIn.