Associate Director, Cost Management Masterplanning

AECOM; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,500,000; Part time

Job summary

AECOM seeks an Associate Director - Cost Management in Dubai to lead cost strategy from early concept to pre-tender on large‑scale masterplanning developments. You will provide commercial leadership, advise clients and align design with cost outcomes across complex projects.

Ideal candidates bring MRICS, a Bachelor's in Quantity Surveying, and 12–15 years of experience delivering major infrastructures and mixed-use schemes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying.
• MRICS certification.
• 12–15 years experience delivering major infrastructure, mixed-use or complex development projects.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale mixed-use and masterplanning developments.
• Strong understanding of early-stage cost modelling, feasibility studies and development economics.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost planning and commercial strategy for large-scale masterplanning mixed-use infrastructure-led and complex developments.
• Provide strategic cost and commercial advice to support client decision-making at programme and portfolio level.
• Lead project set-up, scope definition, delivery strategy and commercial governance from appointment through completion.
• Advise on phasing strategies, development yields, benchmarking and cost-led masterplan optimisation.
• Ensure alignment between design intent, development strategy and cost outcomes.
• Contribute to the growth and expansion of frameworks, key accounts and priority market sectors.
• Support development of service offerings, cost tools, benchmarks and thought leadership initiatives.
• Provide leadership and oversight to multiple project teams across a diverse portfolio.
• Plan, allocate and manage resources to achieve delivery excellence within agreed fees, programmes and utilisation targets.
• Provide senior technical leadership across feasibility, concept, schematic and detailed design cost planning.
• Oversee and challenge cost models, benchmarks, risk allowances, contingency strategies and value engineering proposals.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

AECOM are seeking a highly experienced Associate Director - Cost Management to join our masterplanning and infrastructure cost team. The role will play a critical leadership position in shaping cost strategy from early concept through to pre‑tender stages on large‑scale mixed‑use and masterplanning developments. This position requires strong commercial acumen, strategic advisory skills and the ability to engage confidently with clients, designers and internal leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost planning and commercial strategy for large‑scale masterplanning mixed‑use infrastructure‑led and complex developments
• Provide strategic cost and commercial advice to support client decision‑making at programe and portfolio level
• Lead project set‑up scope definition delivery strategy and commercial governance from appointment through completion
• Advise on phasing strategies development yields benchmarking and cost‑led masterplan optimisation
• Ensure alignment between design intent development strategy and cost outcomes
• Contribute to the growth and expansion of frameworks key accounts and priority market sectors
• Support development of service offerings cost tools benchmarks and thought leadership initiatives
• Provide leadership and oversight to multiple project teams across a diverse portfolio
• Plan allocate and manage resources to achieve delivery excellence within agreed fees programmes and utilisation targets
• Provide senior technical leadership across feasibility concept schematic and detailed design cost planning
• Oversee and challenge cost models benchmarks risk allowances contingency strategies and value engineering proposals

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Quantity Surveying
• MRICS
• Typically 12‑15 years experience delivering major infrastructure mixed‑use or complex development projects
• Proven track record delivering large‑scale mixed‑use and masterplanning developments
• Strong understanding of early‑stage cost modelling feasibility studies and development economics

Benefits

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.

Employment Details

Remote Work: No

Employment Type: Contract

Key Skills

• Portfolio Management
• Wealth Management
• Financial Services
• Hybris
• Microsoft Word
• Banking
• Cash Management
• Data Management
• Microsoft Powerpoint
• Securities Law
• Microsoft Excel
• Internet of Things

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.