Head of Project Controls - MEAC

WOODplc

Abu Dhabi

On-site

AED 700,000 - 1,000,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

End of Service Gratuity

Employee Share Plan

Long Service Award

Job summary

Wood in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, seeks a Head of Project Controls to provide strategic leadership, governance, and functional management across the Project Controls function. This role ensures compliance with corporate standards, develops organizational capability, and drives continuous improvement to enable consistent project delivery excellence.

The role leads cost, schedule, and risk management across major Oil, Gas & New Energies projects, delivering value through robust planning,

Qualifications

Minimum ISCED Level 6 (Bachelor's Degree) in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent experience.
ISCED Level 7 (Master's Degree) preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the Project Controls function across the business grouping.
Develop and maintain WBS, schedules and cost reporting.
Ensure compliance with corporate standards and governance.
Oversee risk management, change control, and performance reporting.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Project controls

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Master's Degree preferred

Tools

Planning software

Job description

The Head of Project Controls provides strategic leadership, governance, and functional management of the Project Controls function across the assigned Business Grouping. The role is responsible for establishing the functional strategy, ensuring compliance with corporate standards, developing organizational capability, driving continuous improvement, and enabling consistent project delivery excellence.

Our Clients and Projects

Designing the future. Transforming the world.

Wood's Oil, Gas & New Energies business is built on a strong legacy of delivering large and complex projects for national and international energy companies across the globe.We have experienced teams, a proven delivery model and a strong reputation.

We are the market-leading provider of integrated and innovative solutions that challenge the status-quo in the oil and gas upstream and midstream, onshore and offshore, gas to liquids and decarbonization and electrification markets. We pride ourselves in steady and predictable delivery, setting our sights on an exciting growth trajectory.

Energy security, transition and supply have never been more important. You, our enabling teams, are at the very forefront of transformative projects that are providing sustainable power to generations to come. We are the ones to bring low‑carbon concepts to reality.

What we can offer

Meaningful and interesting projects:Delivered to high profile clients across the Energy Sector
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:We are an organization actively committed to diversity and inclusion across our business
Competitive remuneration package:With regular reviews to ensure we are rewarding at the right level in line with the market
Medical Insurance: Ensures inpatient, and outpatient medical care is available should you require treatment
Group Life and Personal Accident Insurance: The company provides Life Assurance cover
End of Service Gratuity:In line with UAE Labor Law, all employees are eligible for an End of Service benefit
The Employee Share Plan: Gives you the opportunity to purchase Wood shares and receive a match from the company
Long Service Award:Wood values the commitment and loyalty of our people. Celebrating Long Service provides an opportunity for the business to demonstrate their appreciation of the hard work, dedication and many years’ services of our employees at 5 - year service milestones
Commitment to continued professional development:Development plans that are tailored to your individual needs and interests
Global connections: Join experts around the world who are at the leading edge of our industry, shaping the standards of our profession
Energy Transition Academy:Join a community of experts sharing your knowledge and gaining more exposure to a variety of existing and emerging energy systems - delivered by experts in their field

Job Objective

Responsibilities

Client & Stakeholder Management

Act as the primary Project Controls focal point for the client and contractor Project Controls teams.
Ensure alignment with client reporting requirements.
Deliver timely, accurate, and consistent cost and progress reporting.
Establish and maintain effective communication interfaces for cost, planning, scheduling, and risk management activities.
Chair regular internal and client Project Controls meetings covering:
- Cost
- Schedule
- Progress
Report overall project status and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to management.

Project Planning & Scheduling

Develop the Project Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
Lead the implementation of planning and cost control structures aligned to the WBS.
Ensure delivery and ongoing maintenance of:
- Fully resourced schedules
- Logic-linked Gantt charts
- Preferred planning software requirements
Monitor project progress against the approved baseline.
Track achievement of major milestones and analyze deviations.
Identify, monitor, and report on the project critical path.
Provide early warning of schedule slippages or float erosion.
Lead schedule recovery planning following delays.
Oversee preparation of:
- Execution schedules
- CTR (Cost Time Resource) packages.

Cost Management

Correct cost code allocation
Initial budget setup
Required approvals
Manage project budgets through:
- Cost monitoring
- Forecasting
- Budget control
Ensure all approved changes are reflected in project budgets and schedules.
Review contractual obligations to ensure cost control activities comply with:
- Client requirements
- Contract conditions
Incorporate subcontractor performance impacts into overall project cost reporting.

Progress Monitoring & Reporting

Monitor overall project performance against approved plans.
Analyze current performance and forecast future outcomes.
Ensure timely and accurate reporting of:
- Cost
- Progress
- Schedule
- Forecasts
- KPIs
Accountable for the accuracy and timely issuance of:
- S-Curves
- Resource histograms
- Project dashboards
- Performance reports

Change Management

Manage the project change management process.
Ensure timely preparation and issuance of:
- Change orders
- Variations
- Contract change notifications
Assess the impact of all change requests on:
- Budget
- Schedule
- Resources
Promote compliance with the Project Change Management System.
Facilitate change management assurance activities.
Lead cost and schedule risk analysis workshops with both project teams and clients.
Ensure project risks are:
- Identified
- Assessed
- Monitored
- Reported
Ensure risk management aligns with company standards and project procedures.

Governance & Project Controls Assurance

Ensure Project Controls processes and procedures are:
- Established
- Maintained
- Understood by the project team
- Consistently applied
Ensure all project-specific Project Controls systems and tools are fully implemented and functioning effectively.
Review and approve all cost, planning, scheduling, and risk deliverables before issue.
Quality requirements
Schedule commitments
Budget objectives

Resource Planning

Provide analysis of current and future project resource requirements.
Advise the Project Manager on workforce planning and resource optimization.
Ensure project schedules remain fully resource-loaded and accurately reflect project execution requirements.
Lead, manage, and develop the Project Controls team.
Allocate workload effectively across team members.
Monitor team performance and provide:
- Coaching
- Mentoring
- Constructive feedback
Foster a collaborative team environment that promotes communication, teamwork, and high performance.
Motivate the team to achieve project objectives.
Capture and document lessons learned throughout the project lifecycle.
Implement improvement initiatives to enhance Project Controls processes, systems, and delivery performance.
Promote best practices and continuous improvement across the Project Controls function.

Qualifications

The successful candidate should possess:

Minimum ISCED Level 6 (Bachelor's Degree) in a relevant Engineering discipline or equivalent professional experience.
ISCED Level 7 (Master's Degree) preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Technical Expertise

Advanced expertise across all Project Controls disciplines, including:
- Planning & Scheduling
- Cost Control
- Estimating
- Change Control
- Risk Analysis
Extensive industry experience in Project Controls leadership.
Strong experience managing multidisciplinary Project Controls teams.

Project Management

Excellent understanding of Project Management principles and methodologies.
Comprehensive knowledge of Project Controls processes and best practices.
Experience supporting engineering and construction projects.

Systems & Technology

Proficient in both manual and computerized Project Controls systems and business applications.
Experience implementing and optimizing Project Controls digital tools.

Leadership

Proven ability to:
- Drive organizational performance
- Influence change
- Lead transformation initiatives
- Deliver business improvements

Personal Attributes

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

Strategic Leadership

Strategic mindset with the ability to translate long‑term objectives into practical execution plans.
Collaborative leadership style.
Culturally aware and inclusive.
Values diversity and fosters teamwork.

Communication & Influence

Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to influence, inspire, and drive behavioural change across all organizational levels.

Problem Solving

Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.
Applies sound professional judgement to resolve complex issues.

Coaching & Development

Skilled coach and mentor.
Provides constructive developmental feedback to build capability across the Project Controls function.

Values & Behaviours

Demonstrates and promotes Wood's Vision, Values, and Behaviours through leadership and decision‑making.

About Us

Wood is a global leader in consulting, engineering and operations for the energy and materials sectors. With 33,000 people in around 50 countries, Wood supports clients across the full asset lifecycle, delivering safe, predictable outcomes while enabling resilient operations and a lower carbon future. Wood forms the Energy & Materials pillar of Sidara - a global partnership uniting leading multidisciplinary engineering, design, and project management companies. www.woodgroup.com

Diversity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to the following (which is a non‑exhaustive list): race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.

Job Info