Project Controls Director / Project Controls Manager - Rail

Mace; Dubai; Hybrid; AED 400,000 - 700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working options

Job summary

Mace is recruiting for a senior PMO/Project Controls leadership role in Dubai to drive integrated planning, cost, risk and change management across major rail infrastructure programmes.

You will develop baselines, forecasting processes and performance reporting while guiding cross-functional teams and coordinating with clients, consultants, contractors and delivery partners. Hybrid working options may be available.

Qualifications

• You’ll need a relevant degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience on rail, metro, high-speed rail or comparable major infrastructure programmes.
• Strong client-facing, analytical, written communication and multidisciplinary coordination skills.
• Knowledge of relevant delivery processes, standards, systems and governance for the role.
• Professional membership, chartership or specialist certification preferred where applicable.
• UAE or wider GCC experience is advantageous but should not replace demonstrable technical and delivery competence.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development and implementation of integrated PMO and Project Controls frameworks, providing the structure, governance and insight required to achieve successful programme outcomes.
• Directs the planning, cost, risk, change, progress and performance management functions, ensuring a clear and consistent view of delivery across the project lifecycle.
• Establishes and maintains programme baselines, performance measurement systems and forecasting processes, enabling proactive management of opportunities, risks and emerging trends.
• Provides strategic reporting, analysis and decision support to clients and programme leadership, driving informed decision-making and timely intervention where required.
• Coordinates Project Controls activities across clients, consultants, contractors and delivery partners, ensuring alignment of objectives, data and reporting standards.
• Leads and develops high-performing PMO and Project Controls teams, fostering technical excellence, collaboration and continuous capability growth.
• Embeds robust assurance, governance and control processes that promote accountability, compliance and confidence in programme performance and delivery.
• Works collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition and share responsibility for the proactive identification and management of the associated carbon emissions and reductions during the delivery of work.

Skills

PMO leadership

Project Controls

Planning & Scheduling

Cost & Budgeting

Risk Management

Stakeholder Management

Client-facing

Cross-functional Coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey.

The Project

The UAE continues to invest heavily in world-class transportation infrastructure, with rail playing a pivotal role in connecting communities, supporting economic growth and enabling sustainable mobility across the country. From major passenger rail initiatives to freight, metro and integrated transport programmes, the sector is creating exciting opportunities for professionals passionate about delivering complex infrastructure projects.

Whether your expertise lies in project management, programme management, planning, commercial management, engineering, design management, project controls or delivery leadership, we'd be delighted to connect and discuss how your experience could align with upcoming opportunities in this growing sector.

Leadership of integrated schedule, cost, risk, change, progress, forecasting and performance reporting.

You’ll Be Responsible For

• Leads the development and implementation of integrated PMO and Project Controls frameworks, providing the structure, governance and insight required to achieve successful programme outcomes.
• Directs the planning, cost, risk, change, progress and performance management functions, ensuring a clear and consistent view of delivery across the project lifecycle.
• Establishes and maintains programme baselines, performance measurement systems and forecasting processes, enabling proactive management of opportunities, risks and emerging trends.
• Provides strategic reporting, analysis and decision support to clients and programme leadership, driving informed decision-making and timely intervention where required.
• Coordinates Project Controls activities across clients, consultants, contractors and delivery partners, ensuring alignment of objectives, data and reporting standards.
• Leads and develops high-performing PMO and Project Controls teams, fostering technical excellence, collaboration and continuous capability growth.
• Embeds robust assurance, governance and control processes that promote accountability, compliance and confidence in programme performance and delivery.
• Works collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition and share responsibility for the proactive identification and management of the associated carbon emissions and reductions during the delivery of work.

You’ll Need To Have

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience in the applicable discipline.
• Demonstrated experience on rail, metro, high-speed rail or comparable major infrastructure programmes.
• Strong client-facing, analytical, written communication and multidisciplinary coordination skills.
• Knowledge of relevant delivery processes, standards, systems and governance for the role.
• Professional membership, chartership or specialist certification preferred where applicable.
• UAE or wider GCC experience is advantageous but should not replace demonstrable technical and delivery competence.

Our values

Safety first - Going home safe and well: We champion a safe, diverse, and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of well-being in every team.

Client focus - Deliver on our promise: We own the quality of deliverables and strategic outcomes and build long-term relationships with our clients.

Integrity - Always do the right thing: We influence positive outcomes within our industry while always aligning with our compliance obligations.

Create opportunity - For our people to excel: We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfill all the criteria, please apply, as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.

We are also open to discussing part-time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role.