Director of Projects

Confidential; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 460,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential is seeking an experienced Director of Projects to provide strategic leadership across large-scale capital projects, infrastructure developments and minor works programmes in Abu Dhabi. You will ensure successful delivery, strong governance and commercial performance, while driving operational excellence across portfolios.

The role requires senior oversight, robust stakeholder management and a track record of delivering complex projects in live environments within the UAE.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, PM, Construction Management, Architecture, or related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of relevant experience, including at least 5 years in people management.
• Strong background in project management, infrastructure development, or capital project delivery.
• Experience delivering large-scale project portfolios and PMO functions.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, PRINCE2, PgMP, or RICS are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee delivery of large-scale capital projects.
• Establish and manage PMO frameworks and governance.
• Oversee planning, scheduling, budgeting, and risk management.
• Manage CAPEX programmes and financial governance.
• Lead procurement strategies and contract management.
• Ensure projects meet scope, timelines, budgets, and quality.
• Oversee construction quality, HSE, and operational readiness.
• Build relationships with clients, consultants, and contractors.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Project management

Budgeting

Risk management

Contract management

Procurement

PMO

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Project Management

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Director of Projects to provide strategic leadership across large-scale capital projects, infrastructure developments and minor works programmes, ensuring successful project delivery, commercial performance and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the delivery of large-scale capital projects, infrastructure developments and minor works programmes.
• Establish and manage Project Management Office (PMO) frameworks, project governance and portfolio performance.
• Oversee project planning, scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation and risk management.
• Manage CAPEX programmes, financial performance, cost optimisation and commercial accountability.
• Lead procurement strategies, contract management and contractor performance.
• Ensure projects are delivered within approved scope, timelines, budgets and quality standards.
• Oversee construction quality, technical compliance, HSE requirements and operational readiness.
• Build strong relationships with clients, consultants, contractors and key stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Construction Management, Architecture, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of relevant experience, including at least 5 years in people management.
• Strong background in Project Management, Infrastructure Development, Construction Management or Capital Project Delivery.
• Proven experience managing large-scale project portfolios, CAPEX programmes and PMO functions.
• Strong expertise in project controls, procurement, contract management, financial governance and risk management.
• Experience delivering complex projects within live operational environments.
• Excellent leadership, commercial acumen and stakeholder management skills.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, PRINCE2, PgMP, RICS or equivalent are advantageous.

Candidates with 15+ years of experience managing complex, high-value project portfolios will be preferred.