Associate Director - Cost Estimating and Management (Aviation)

AtkinsRéalis; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 650,000 - 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 is seeking an Associate Director – Cost & Commercial (Aviation) to lead cost advisory and commercial strategy for major aviation projects in the Middle East from our Abu Dhabi/Middle East hub.

You will drive development of cost models, manage client relationships, and oversee procurement frameworks for complex airport programmes, ensuring high standards of governance and value delivery across projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or a related field.
• 18+ years of experience across cost and commercial roles in aviation
• Senior leadership or managerial experience in large aviation programmes

Responsibilities

• Lead cost and commercial advisory services for Middle East aviation clients at strategic level.
• Define and implement regional aviation cost and commercial strategy.
• Act as trusted advisor to senior stakeholders including airport authorities and investors.
• Lead development of capital expenditure plans, cost models, and investment strategies.
• Oversee commercial structuring, procurement strategies, and contract frameworks.
• Mentor a team of cost and commercial professionals.
• Develop and maintain aviation cost benchmark database for advisory work.
• 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

Cost management

Commercial strategy

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Data analysis

Primavera

CostX

SAP

Excel

Aviation infrastructure knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Quantity Surveying

Tools

Primavera

CostX

SAP

Excel

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.

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

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career.

This Includes

• 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.

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