Project Director

Arkad SpA; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 1,500,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Arkad SpA in Abu Dhabi is expanding its branch into a local Center of Excellence for project execution and engineering services. We are seeking an exceptional Project Director to drive this evolution and oversee end-to-end EPC project delivery.

Reporting to Director of Project Execution, you will be accountable for P&L, supervise branch operations, coach teams, and ensure high standards of execution, financial performance, and client satisfaction. Fluent English required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering is required.
• 20+ years of EPC/Oil & Gas experience including PM, construction/site management, controls, engineering management, and sales.
• Proven hands-on P&L responsibility for multi-million dollar projects.
• Fluent English required.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Branch Leadership: supervise branch organization and delivery to transform the Abu Dhabi office into a high-performing local competence hub.
• P&L & Project Oversight: hold direct P&L accountability to the Director of Project Execution for allocated projects, ensuring schedule, quality, HSE KPIs, cash flow and financial targets.
• Team Guidance & Coaching: guide, support and coach project teams with optimal resource allocation and policy compliance.
• Risk & Financial Management: monitor project margins, exposures, cash flows, evaluate risk scenarios and define mitigation strategies.
• Executive & Client Interface: act as the primary reference for steering committees, project sponsorship, and negotiations with clients, partners and suppliers.

Skills

P&L ownership

Project management

Leadership

Risk management

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

About the Role & Strategic Context

We are expanding our presence in the region and transforming our Abu Dhabi Branch into a local Center of Excellence for project execution and engineering services. We are seeking an exceptional Project Director to serve as the pivotal leadership figure driving this evolution.

Reporting directly to the Director of Project Execution, you will be responsible for the full Profit & Loss (P&L) of assigned major EPC projects, supervising branch operations, and coaching our team members to ensure high-standard execution, financial performance, and client satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Branch Leadership: Supervise branch organization and operational delivery, acting as the primary operational reference to transform the office into a high-performing local competence hub.
• P&L & Project Oversight: Hold direct P&L accountability to the Director of Project Execution for allocated projects, ensuring strict adherence to schedule, quality, HSE KPIs, cash flow, and financial targets.
• Team Guidance & Coaching: Guide, support, and coach project teams, ensuring optimal resource allocation and compliance with company policies.
• Risk & Financial Management: Monitor project margins, exposures, and cash flows; evaluate risk scenarios proactively and define effective mitigation strategies.
• Executive & Client Interface: Act as the prime reference for steering committees, project sponsorship, and executive-level negotiations with Clients, Consortium Partners, and key suppliers.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering is required.
• Experience: 20-25+ years of extensive experience within the EPC / Oil & Gas industry, covering Project Management, Construction/Site Management, Project Controls, Engineering Management, and Sales.
• Management Track Record: Solid General Management experience with proven hands-on P&L responsibility for multi-million dollar projects.
• Leadership Competencies: Exceptional crisis management, negotiation, risk evaluation, and high-pressure decision-making capabilities.
• Languages: Full professional fluency in English is mandatory.
• Location & Availability: Candidates currently residing in the UAE or GCC region are strongly preferred to facilitate an efficient onboarding process.