Associate Director (Residential Villas & Mixed Use)

Atkins Realis; Abu Dhabi; Hybrid; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in the UAE is seeking an experienced Associate Director to manage project lifecycle within the Masterplan program. You will engage with clients and key stakeholders, ensuring project objectives align with expectations. Candidates should possess a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and have significant experience in construction management, particularly in the hospitality sector. This role offers a tax-free salary and comprehensive benefits, including flexible work solutions and relocation assistance.

Benefits

Tax-free salary

Comprehensive life insurance

Premium medical insurance

Generous annual leave

Flexible work solutions

Remote work opportunities

Discretionary bonus program

Annual flight contribution

Qualifications

• 20-25 years of experience, preferably with 10+ years in UAE on hospitality projects.
• Leadership style with client-facing skills.
• In-depth knowledge of FIDIC contract implementation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage projects within the Masterplan program.
• Support the Project Director in PMC delivery.
• Manage relationships with clients and authorities.

Skills

Construction management

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Leadership skills

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree in architecture or Civil Engineering

Job description

Overview

As Associate Director, you will be responsible for leading and managing the project or projects within the Masterplan program through the project lifecycle. Work closely with our clients, design consultants, Construction supervision consultant, contractors and other stakeholders to ensure the projects objectives are met in line with our client requirements and expectations.

With a Strong background in construction management to manage and assist Construction supervision and Contractors meet project and client objectives.

Knowledge of Modern Methods of Construction (MCC) with pre-cast fabrication being consider for the Villa is preferrable.

Will be client facing and assist the Client Senior Manager Delivery ensuring the delivery of the Project though the project life cycle.

You will assist the Programme Director and support Senior Project Manager in ensuring that our scope of works is delivered to AtkinsRéalis and client's'expectations.

Your role

Programme Delivery & Integration

• Support the Project Director in ensuring consistent PMC delivery across villa and infrastructure packages.
• Lead risk management, escalation, and resolution of issues impacting multiple packages or disciplines.
• Monitor interface between design, construction, and commercial teams to ensure delivery cohesion.
• Ensure compliance with delegated responsibilities under FIDIC where PMC is the named Engineer (site supervision delegated to CSC)
• Technical understanding of multidisciplinary design (architecture, infrastructure, MEP, landscape)

Stakeholder & Authority Coordination

• Manage relationships with the Client and key Abu Dhabi authorities (e.g., ADM, DMT, ITC, ADDC).
• Coordinate technical and administrative interfaces across contractors, consultants, and asset owners.
• Ensure MoU-driven authority engagements are fulfilled per programme and package timelines.

Commercial & Governance Alignment

• Liaise with PMC Commercial and Controls teams to ensure risk, cost, and programme data are consistent and accurate.
• Oversee PMC contributions to claims, variations, payment recommendations, and cost reporting.
• Maintain adherence to Client governance and escalation protocols.

Reporting & Communication

• Support programme-wide reporting activities, including milestone performance, design coordination, and contractor progress.
• Prepare executive-level briefings and risk registers for Client leadership.

General

• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive timely resolution of complex design and construction challenges.
• Demonstrated leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and engage team members to foster a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills, both as a team player and as an independent contributor, with a demonstrated ability to balance teamwork and independent project assignments.
• Proven track record in managing complex projects, displaying exemplary project management skills such as organization, time management, resourcefulness, flexibility, and communication.
• Ability to manage project timelines meticulously.
• Strong financial acumen and demonstrated attention to best value for investment within agreed budgets, ensuring cost-effective design solutions without compromising quality.
• Results-driven mindset, consistently achieving project goals and driving success in design delivery.
• Ensure AtkinsRéalis processes, forms and deliverables are followed, and when required, client processes and forms as applicable in full consultation with the client.
• Manage, direct, lead and administrate the contracts of the various entities on the Program:
  • Lead Design Consultant (LDC)
  • Other consultants appointed by the client.
  • Construction Supervision Consultant (CSC)
  • Early Works and Main Work Contractors
• Shall coordinate and assist activities and work with various entities on the program:
  • Stakeholders not limited to: Client teams, tenants, facility management, operators etc.
  • Consultants and Contractors
  • Statutory Authorities with support of Stakeholder Manager
  • Construction Supervision Consultant (CSC)
  • Logistics with support of logistics officer and assisted by client.
• Manage and assist the client with the procurement of Design Consultant, specialists and Contractors as and when required.
• Overall awareness of PMC scope of services to manage and assist with, but not limited to:
  • Construction Management
  • Constructability
  • Safety in Design
  • Assist in Change Management of the Project with the Cost and Commercial Teams, implement required change control processes, review and recommendation for Client confirmation.
  • Assist and coordinate value management during the Design and construction stages in support of the Client.
  • Determine and manage risks that may affect the programme/project not limited to schedule, budget, client requirements, quality, constructability and compliance.
  • Assist on monitoring and managing the Design and construction schedule with Project Controls and LDC
  • Assist in Stakeholder Management: Develop the statutory approval workflow chart for all design stages and in alignment with Client and Statutory Authority approval requirements.
• Oversee preparation of all technical documentation required for construction tender packages.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

About you

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in architecture, Civil Engineering, or relevant design discipline; Chartered status (e.g., RIBA, P. Eng, C. Eng) preferred.
• Able to work in a team environment and be client facing.
• Active leadership style.

Experience

• 20-25 years working experience with experience in the region preferrable.
• With 10+ years' experience in UAE in design manager experience on hospitality projects.
• Preferable 5+ years in Project Management Consultancy.
• Post-Contract experience mainly with both Pre - Post Contract preferrable.

Competencies

• Deep knowledge of FIDIC contract implementation (including delegated site roles).
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and risk management capabilities.
• Proven authority coordination and PMC delivery experience.
• Strong cross-functional leadership and commercial awareness.

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.
• Comprehensive life insurance coverage.
• Premium medical insurance for you and your dependents.
• Generous annual leave balance.
• Flexible and hybrid work solutions.
• Remote work opportunities outside of country.
• Company gratuity scheme.
• Discretionary bonus program.
• Annual flight contribution.
• Relocation assistance.
• Transportation & housing allowances (available for remote work locations).
• 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.

#HC #ProjectLeadership #AtkinsRealis