Project Controls Director

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

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Project Controls Director for a pivotal role in the Abu Dhabi - Dubai HSR Project. The successful candidate will lead all project control functions for complex railway infrastructure, with a strong focus on high-speed rail systems. A Master's degree or Chartered Engineer status, along with over 20 years of relevant experience, is essential. This position offers the opportunity to work on a significant project with a focus on innovative railway solutions.

Qualifications

• 20 years of experience in managing railway systems and construction works.
• Proven experience with high-speed rail projects.
• Experience with budget control and forecasting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the suite of project control functions across planning and management.
• Oversee integrated project schedules and alignment.
• Manage budget control processes including forecasting.

Skills

Leadership in project controls

Risk management

Cost control

Schedule management

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree or Chartered Engineer Status

Job description

Overview

Our client

Our client is bidding for work on the Abu Dhabi - Dubai HSR Project and they are looking for suitably qualified and experienced candidates for the role of Project Controls Director.

The Project Director - Controls is responsible for the leadership, implementation, and oversight of all project control functions for complex railway infrastructure projects, with a strong focus on high-speed rail systems (> 250 km / h). This includes schedule management, cost control, risk management, change control, reporting, and systems integration support. The candidate must have proven experience in the successful delivery of at least one high-speed rail project in a similar leadership role and possess more than five years of dedicated HSR experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full suite of project control functions across planning, cost, schedule, risk, and change management.
• Oversee integrated project schedules and ensure alignment between civil, systems, and rolling stock delivery.
• Manage budget control processes including forecasting, earned value management (EVM), and performance analysis.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to measure project health, progress, and productivity.
• Direct the development and implementation of project controls systems, tools, and dashboards.
• Coordinate with construction, engineering, procurement, and systems integration teams to maintain alignment on scope and interfaces.
• Support executive reporting, performance reviews, and client presentations with accurate, timely data.
• Lead risk identification and mitigation planning across all project phases.
• Implement robust change management protocols and ensure change impacts are properly assessed and communicated.
• Ensure project control practices are compliant with contractual, regulatory, and governance requirements.

Qualifications

• A Director shall have a construction / engineering related university degree (preferably a Master's degree or have Chartered Engineer Status).
• Not less than 20 years' experience in the leadership and management of similar railway systems and construction works projects (preferably HSR), with demonstrable experience in railway system delivery (signaling, 25 kV AC power, track etc.), construction, and system integration.
• For Director level positions it is mandatory to have implementation and delivery experience on at least 1 HSR Project in a similar capacity / role.
• Total HSR experience (defined as above 250 km / h) shall exceed 5 years minimum.