Programme Director

AtkinsRéalis; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tax-free salary

Life insurance

Medical insurance

Annual flight contribution

Relocation assistance

Transportation & housing allowances

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Programme Director to lead the consultant-side delivery of the UAE rail programme. You will oversee design reviews, programme management and site supervision across a multi-package infrastructure project including underground, at-grade, tunnel works and rolling stock integration.

You will coordinate internal and external delivery teams to ensure alignment and successful delivery of project objectives.

Qualifications

• Minimum 20 years of infrastructure project leadership experience.
• At least 5 years in high-speed rail delivery.
• Strong knowledge of construction planning and contract law.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across the full programme lifecycle from concept through delivery and benefits realization.
• Align project delivery with client goals and UAE development strategies.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams across design, engineering, construction and stakeholder engagement.
• Represent AtkinsRéalis on client boards to ensure strategic alignment and confidence in delivery.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Programme oversight

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering Construction Management

Master's degree or Chartered Engineer status

Job description

Job Description

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Programme Director to lead the consultant-side delivery of the UAE with Rail background. This role will oversee design reviews programme and project management and site supervision across a complex multi-package infrastructure programme involving underground at-grade and tunnel works four major stations two maintenance depots and full railway systems integration including rolling stock. You will act as the single point of contact between internal and external delivery teams ensuring strategic alignment stakeholder coordination and successful delivery of project objectives. The successful candidate will bring proven high-speed rail experience to the programme contributing deep technical and delivery expertise to one of the regions most ambitious transport initiatives.

Sector Experience

• Proven track record in delivering large-scale rail infrastructure projects including rail speed above 250 km/h.
• Experience in multidisciplinary design review programme management and site supervision.
• Demonstrated leadership in complex multi-stakeholder infrastructure environments.

Strategic Leadership & Programme Oversight

• Provide strategic leadership across the full programme lifecycle from concept development and mobilisation through to delivery commissioning and benefits realization.
• Align project delivery with client goals regulatory frameworks and UAE development strategies.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams across design engineering construction and stakeholder engagement.
• Represent AtkinsRéalis on client boards and steering committees to ensure strategic alignment and confidence in programme delivery.

Planning & Scheduling

• Implement a robust project management framework and execution strategy.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of the master programme and WBS.
• Lead delay mitigation strategies and ensure alignment with critical path milestones.
• Monitor contract programmes and ensure stakeholder approvals are timely and compliant.

Financial & Commercial Management

• Own and manage programme-level P&L ensuring financial performance cost control and commercial success.
• Review and report project budgets recommend options for potential changes.
• Oversee contract administration change control and claims resolution.
• Coordinate with commercial teams to ensure transparency and governance throughout the project.

Risk Management & Governance

• Chair risk meetings and lead the development of mitigation strategies.
• Ensure robust governance risk management and change control processes are in place and adhered to.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to manage disputes and claims proactively.

Construction Phase Management

• Oversee site supervision contractor coordination and interface management across:
• Civil Works Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
• Systems Power Depots Rolling Stock and Track.
• Ensure timely delivery of stakeholder decisions and facilitate collaborative problem-solving.
• Monitor contractor compliance with HSE quality and programme requirements.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary liaison with UAE Rail government authorities consultants and contractors.
• Lead external stakeholder management and interface coordination including IDD documentation.
• Resolve escalated issues and maintain strong relationships with all project parties.

Innovation & Digital Transformation

• Champion innovation and digital transformation across programme delivery including BIM smart mobility and integrated systems.
• Promote modern delivery methodologies to drive efficiency and enhance outcomes.

Team Leadership & Development

• Mentor senior leadership team and technical leads.
• Promote a culture of accountability collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Conduct performance reviews and support career development across the team.

Reporting & Governance

• Establish formal reporting structures for client and internal stakeholders.
• Review and disseminate reports from design and site teams.

Client Management

• Lead client engagement through presentations meetings and strategic discussions.
• Represent AtkinsRéalis professionally and build trust as a strategic advisor.
• Resolve disputes and maintain long-term client relationships.

Industry Engagement & Thought Leadership

• Represent AtkinsRéalis in strategic forums bid interviews and industry engagements.
• Contribute to thought leadership and market positioning in the regional infrastructure sector.

About you

• Bachelors degree in Engineering Construction Management or related field (Masters or preferred Chartered Engineer status).
• Minimum 20 years of experience in infrastructure project leadership with at least 5 years in high-speed rail delivery.
• Strong knowledge of construction planning contract law and stakeholder management.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive at every stage of your life and your career.

• Tax-free salary.
• Life insurance coverage.
• Medical insurance.
• Annual leave balance
• Discretionary bonus program.
• Annual flight contribution.
• Relocation assistance.
• Transportation & housing allowances (available for remote work locations)
• Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance legal matters family care as well as personal health fitness and nutrition consulting.

We seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender ethnic or national origin sexual identity and orientation age religion or disability but enriches itself through these differences.

Required Experience

Director