Market Director - Rail

AtkinsRéalis; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in Dubai is looking for a Market Director - Rail to oversee strategic development and client engagement in the rail and metro portfolio across the Middle East. The ideal candidate will have 15-20 years of experience in the rail sector, strong leadership skills, and proficiency in stakeholder management. This position requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in the Gulf region, with a strong focus on operational excellence and commercial performance.

Qualifications

• 15-20 years of total experience in Rail and Metro sector.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in the Gulf region.
• Proven leadership in delivering large-scale rail or metro programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the overall Rail business in the Middle East.
• Develop strategic business plans to grow the Rail portfolio.
• Foster and maintain senior-level client relationships.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

Leadership

Business development

Project risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Role Summary:

The Market Director - Rail will lead the strategic development, client engagement, and delivery performance of the rail and metro portfolio across the Middle East. This role will be critical in expanding our presence, building client trust, driving operational excellence, and ensuring our teams deliver world-class results aligned with regional priorities and client needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the overall Rail business in the Middle East across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
• Develop and implement strategic business plans to grow the Rail portfolio aligned with AtkinsRéalis’ regional market vision.
• Foster and maintain senior-level client relationships across government entities, operators, and developers.
• Drive commercial performance, resource planning, and project delivery across a multidisciplinary team.
• Collaborate with other market leads and functional heads to support integrated infrastructure solutions.
• Represent AtkinsRéalis at industry forums, conferences, and stakeholder engagements.
• Support bids and commercial strategy development for major rail and metro projects.
• Actively mentor and develop internal leadership capabilities within the business.
• Oversee and manage bids/ proposal and delivery of projects. (pre and post tender)

Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Experience: 15–20 years of total experience in the Rail and Metro sector, with a minimum of 5 years in the Gulf region (Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar).
• Proven leadership in delivering large-scale rail or metro programs (design, consultancy, or PMC).
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in managing P&L, business development, and project risk.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, including with government entities and international partners.
• Familiarity with regional regulations, standards, and market dynamics in transportation and infrastructure.

Preferred Skills:

• Language: Bilingual Arabic/English proficiency highly preferred.
• Strong leadership and team development capabilities.
• Ability to work across multicultural and multidisciplinary environments.
• Strategic thinker with excellent negotiation and communication skills.