Dubai Infrastructure Portfolio Director|Senior Program Lead

Parsons; Dubai; On-site; AED 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Parsons Corporation in Dubai is seeking a Program Director to lead a high-profile infrastructure portfolio for a government client. You will direct strategic planning, governance, and multidisciplinary delivery while ensuring safety, quality, schedule, cost, and risk performance.

This senior role requires 20+ years in infrastructure or program management, with proven ability to manage complex stakeholder groups and drive portfolio growth in the UAE.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field.
• Minimum 20 years of progressive leadership experience in infrastructure, engineering, construction, project management, or program management.
• Proven experience leading large, complex projects for government or public-sector clients.
• Strong commercial/financial capability including forecasting, margin management, contracts, change control, risk management.
• Experience in the Middle East or UAE is valuable.
• Advanced degree or recognized qualification in program management preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning, governance, and performance management across a major infrastructure portfolio.
• Serve as Parsons’ senior representative with the government client and maintain executive relationships.
• Provide direction to multidisciplinary project, engineering, construction, and commercial teams.
• Oversee safety, quality, schedule, cost, risk, and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Establish governance mechanisms ensuring accountability across multiple projects.
• Identify risks and delivery constraints requiring senior intervention.
• Provide escalation and decision support to leadership and client representatives.
• Ensure adequate resources and expertise are allocated across the portfolio.
• Maintain forecasting accuracy, contract management, and change control.
• Review financial performance and take corrective action where needed.
• Lead contract and commercial discussions on risk, scope changes, and client expectations.
• Strengthen risk management and ensure mitigation of program risks.
• Work with controls teams to report cost, schedule, and forecast performance.
• Ensure safety and quality throughout design and construction delivery.
• Oversee interfaces across multidisciplinary programs and align teams on priorities.
• Support recovery planning when workstreams underperform.
• Improve governance and standardize practices across the portfolio.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, delivery quality, and stakeholder confidence.
• Develop collaboration between client teams, consultants, contractors, partners, and Parsons functions.
• Support strategic positioning and expand Parsons’ role within the client portfolio.
• Provide input on business development, market strategy, and long-term planning.
• Communicate portfolio status, risks, and recommendations to executives.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Governance

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Risk management

Cost control

Contract management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Job description

Parsons Corporation in Dubai is seeking a Program Director to lead a high-profile infrastructure portfolio for a government client. You will direct strategic planning, governance, and multidisciplinary delivery while ensuring safety, quality, schedule, cost, and risk performance.

This senior role requires 20+ years in infrastructure or program management, with proven ability to manage complex stakeholder groups and drive portfolio growth in the UAE.