Associate Director - Project Controls

Mace Group; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction consultancy in the UAE is seeking a project management professional to lead PMO and project controls. The role involves ensuring safety and compliance while driving client-focused outcomes and mentoring teams. Candidates should hold a chartered status or professional membership and possess strong leadership skills in project management. Mace promotes an inclusive environment and welcomes diverse candidates to apply, including those interested in flexible working options.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Inclusive work environment

Qualifications

• Chartered status or professional membership with RICS, CIOB, APM, ICE is required.
• Experience in leading PMO and Project Controls on major programmes.
• Strong skills in commercial, financial, and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead with Safety First, ensuring wellbeing and compliance in projects.
• Drive client-focused outcomes through strategic direction and service excellence.
• Mentor and develop teams, fostering innovation and talent growth.
• Act as a trusted advisor, building strong client relationships.

Skills

Chartered status or professional membership with RICS, CIOB, APM, ICE

Proven PMO and Project Controls leadership

Strong commercial, financial, and stakeholder management expertise

Knowledge of sustainability and project frameworks

Job description

Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey.

The project

This portfolio consists of projects managed by the Client team or handled by third-party developers under the Client's supervision. It encompasses fitout works, new construction, and master planning activities.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Lead with Safety First, ensuring wellbeing, compliance, and sustainable delivery.
• Drive client-focused outcomes through strategic direction, service excellence, and industry engagement.
• Uphold integrity, shaping long-term strategy and accountability for people, planet, and performance.
• Mentor and develop teams, fostering innovation, talent growth, and opportunity to excel.
• Lead PMO and Project Controls performance, designing frameworks and managing delivery across commissions.
• Act as trusted advisor, building strong client relationships and providing subject matter expertise.
• Drive governance, reporting, baselines, risk analysis, and compliance to achieve objectives.
• Mentor teams, support resourcing, and champion innovation and net zero transition.

You’ll need to have:

• Chartered status or professional membership with RICS, CIOB, APM, ICE.
• Proven PMO and Project Controls leadership on major programmes.
• Strong commercial, financial, and stakeholder management expertise.
• Knowledge of sustainability, risk tools, and project frameworks.

Our values

Safety first - Going home safe and well: We champion a safe, diverse and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of wellbeing in every team.

Client focus - Deliver on our promise: We own the quality of deliverables, strategic outcomes and build long-term relationships with our clients.

Integrity - Always do the right thing: We influence positive outcomes within our industry, while always aligning with our compliance obligations.

Create opportunity - For our people to excel: We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all the criteria, please apply as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.

We are also open to discussing part‑time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role.