Associate - MEP Cost Management

AECOM Middle East Ltd; Dubai; On-site; AED 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an experienced Associate - MEP Cost Management in Dubai to lead senior MEP quantity surveying, cost planning, and commercial analysis across multiple complex projects. You will manage client relationships, benchmark costs, supervise a cost management team, and deliver accurate advice to protect budgets while upholding quality and professional standards.

Strong leadership, ME P system knowledge, and experience in the Middle East are highly preferred; the role offers a clear path

Qualifications

• 15+ years of MEP quantity surveying and cost management experience.
• Senior commercial deliverables and leadership experience in complex construction projects.
• Strong knowledge of MEP cost planning, benchmarking, and financial analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex cost management assignments across multiple construction projects.
• Provide specialist MEP quantity surveying expertise for mechanical and electrical systems.
• Manage cost planning, estimating, and commercial reporting throughout project lifecycles.

Skills

MEP quantity surveying

MEP cost management

Mechanical cost estimating

Electrical cost estimating

Budget management

Cost control

Value engineering

Project cost reporting

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Degree in Electrical Engineering

Degree in Quantity Surveying

Job description

Associate - MEP Cost Management

Job Snapshot: Role: Associate - MEP Cost Management; Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Industry: Construction; Function: Cost Estimating; Experience: Minimum 15 years; Job Type: Full-time.

Associate - MEP Cost Management in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a senior Construction opportunity with AECOM for an experienced MEP quantity surveying and cost management professional overseeing complex projects, client relationships, commercial analysis, benchmarking, team performance, and cost control. The role requires deep mechanical and electrical cost expertise, strong leadership, and the ability to deliver accurate commercial advice across multiple projects while maintaining established quality, budget, and professional standards.

Job Details

• Country: United Arab Emirates
• City: Dubai
• Industry: Construction
• Function: Cost Estimating
• Salary: 32000-45000 Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer.
• Gender: Any
• Candidate Nationality: Any
• Job Type: Full-time

Role Context

The Associate provides senior-level leadership across a portfolio of construction projects, with particular responsibility for MEP cost management and quantity surveying activities. The position combines technical commercial expertise with client engagement, team management, resource planning, benchmarking, and delivery oversight. By maintaining accurate cost information throughout the project lifecycle, the role helps clients understand financial exposure, compare options, control budgets, and make commercially informed decisions. Strong leadership is also required to ensure cost management teams understand project scope, responsibilities, programme requirements, and expected standards of delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex cost management assignments across multiple construction projects with limited supervision.
• Provide specialist MEP quantity surveying expertise covering mechanical and electrical building systems.
• Manage cost planning, estimating, cost analysis, commercial reporting, and financial control activities throughout project lifecycles.
• Serve as a senior point of contact for clients and maintain effective engagement across the assigned portfolio.
• Take accountability for complex cost management deliverables across multiple projects within relevant market sectors.
• Review project scopes and brief team members clearly on responsibilities, deliverables, priorities, and commercial requirements.
• Allocate and manage cost management resources across projects while maintaining approved budgets and delivery commitments.
• Monitor project financial performance and identify emerging cost risks, pressures, and opportunities.
• Lead preparation and review of MEP cost estimates, elemental cost plans, budget assessments, and commercial recommendations.
• Analyze mechanical and electrical design information to assess cost implications and support informed project decisions.
• Support value engineering exercises by identifying cost-efficient alternatives without compromising required technical performance.
• Review project cost data for accuracy, consistency, completeness, and alignment with agreed methodologies.
• Lead the collection, validation, analysis, and maintenance of benchmarking information for future cost planning.
• Use historical and current project data to strengthen estimating accuracy and improve commercial forecasting.
• Ensure cost management deliverables comply with established project delivery systems and internal procedures.
• Maintain full compliance with applicable quality assurance requirements and review standards.
• Monitor workload, output quality, and performance of direct reports.
• Provide technical direction, coaching, and professional guidance to quantity surveyors and cost management team members.
• Coordinate with project managers, engineers, designers, consultants, and commercial stakeholders on cost-related matters.
• Review significant commercial issues and provide clear recommendations to project and client leadership.
• Participate in internal knowledge sharing, professional forums, and external industry networking.
• Promote consistent cost management practices across the project portfolio while identifying opportunities for process improvement.

Ideal Profile

Candidates should hold a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or a closely related discipline. A minimum of 15 years of MEP quantity surveying and cost management experience is required, including substantial responsibility for complex construction projects and senior commercial deliverables. Strong Middle East experience is preferred, particularly where candidates have worked with regional cost structures, contractors, consultants, procurement practices, and large-scale building developments. Applicants should demonstrate advanced knowledge of MEP cost planning, estimating, benchmarking, budget management, value engineering, commercial reporting, and financial analysis. The position requires the confidence to lead client discussions, manage multiple project teams, review technically complex cost information, and make sound commercial recommendations. Previous experience supervising quantity surveyors or cost consultants is essential, together with the ability to maintain high standards across multiple simultaneous assignments.

Skills Set

• MEP quantity surveying
• MEP cost management
• Mechanical cost estimating
• Electrical cost estimating
• Construction cost planning
• Cost estimating
• Cost benchmarking
• Budget management
• Cost control
• Cost analysis
• Commercial management
• Financial analysis
• Value engineering
• Project cost reporting
• Cost forecasting
• Elemental cost planning
• MEP systems pricing
• Construction economics
• Project benchmarking
• Cost database management
• Resource management
• Client engagement
• Portfolio management
• Quality assurance
• Commercial risk assessment
• Team leadership
• Performance management
• Quantity surveying
• Project lifecycle cost management
• Technical commercial reporting

Why Join Us

Dubai 's continued development of complex commercial, residential, hospitality, transportation, and mixed-use projects creates sustained demand for senior MEP cost management professionals who understand both technical building systems and commercial performance. This position provides the opportunity to influence cost strategy across a portfolio of significant projects while working closely with clients and multidisciplinary technical teams. The combination of MEP specialization, portfolio responsibility, benchmarking, commercial leadership, and team management also creates a strong platform for progression into broader cost management and commercial leadership positions.

About the Company

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm delivering planning, design, engineering, cost management, program management, and construction management services across buildings, transportation, water, environment, and energy. Its multidisciplinary teams support clients throughout the project lifecycle, combining technical expertise with commercial insight to deliver complex and resilient developments.