Project Director

AECOM; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Flexible work options

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

AECOM in the UAE seeks a Project Director to steer large-scale infrastructure projects from mobilization through handover, ensuring delivery on time, within budget and to client expectations.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, manage contracts under FIDIC, and coordinate with clients, authorities and utilities while driving quality, safety and sustainability across programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent engineering discipline.
• Master's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or Project Management is highly desirable.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng), PE, PMP, or equivalent professional certification is preferred.
• Minimum 20 years of relevant experience delivering major infrastructure projects.
• Minimum 10 years in senior leadership roles on large-scale infrastructure developments.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for successful delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams from mobilization to final handover.
• Oversee contract administration in line with FIDIC and project requirements.
• Manage client and stakeholder relationships and executive reviews.
• Ensure quality, safety, and regulatory compliance across the project lifecycle.

Skills

FIDIC contracts

Project controls

QA/QC

HSE management

Primavera P6

BIM

Digital construction

Executive reporting

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Contract administration

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering

Master's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or Project Management

Chartered Engineer (CEng), PE, PMP, or equivalent

Tools

Primavera P6

BIM software

Digital construction platforms

Project management systems

Job description

• Legal Entity: AECOM MIDDLE EAST LIMITED - AL AIN
• Business Line: Water
• Work Location Model: On-Site
• Operating Group: International
• Primary Location: AE - Al Ain, UAE - Al Ain Square - S

Job Description

The Project Director is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic management, and successful delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects from commencement through construction, testing & commissioning, handover, and project close-out. The role provides executive oversight of all technical, commercial, contractual, operational, financial, and stakeholder management activities, ensuring that project objectives are achieved in accordance with contractual obligations, client expectations, quality standards, and business objectives.

The Project Director leads multidisciplinary project teams and acts as the primary executive representative of the Consultant, maintaining effective communication with the Client, government authorities, utility providers, contractors, and senior management while ensuring successful project delivery within the approved programme, budget, quality, safety, and sustainability requirements.

Key Job Duties

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the successful delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with contract requirements, approved programmes, quality standards, and client expectations.
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams throughout all project phases from mobilization to final handover.
• Establish project objectives, priorities, governance, and performance targets.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact with the Client, Developers, Government Authorities, Utility Providers, and other key stakeholders.
• Lead executive-level meetings, progress reviews, and strategic workshops.
• Maintain strong client relationships while ensuring timely resolution of project issues.
• Manage authority coordination, approvals, permits, and major stakeholder interfaces.

Commercial & Contract Management

• Provide executive oversight of contract administration in accordance with FIDIC and project contractual requirements.
• Review variations, claims, extensions of time, commercial risks, and contractual correspondence.
• Monitor project financial performance, resource utilization, and commercial objectives.
• Support business development opportunities and client satisfaction initiatives.

Technical & Operational Oversight

• Oversee engineering design coordination, construction supervision, testing & commissioning, and handover activities.
• Ensure effective integration of all engineering disciplines, including roads, utilities, drainage, public realm, electrical, telecom, irrigation, landscape, and transportation infrastructure.
• Monitor technical compliance with project specifications, authority requirements, and international standards.

Risk, Quality & HSE Management

• Establish project governance frameworks for quality, safety, and risk management.
• Ensure implementation of Project Quality Plans, HSE Management Systems, and Risk Registers.
• Review major project risks and implement proactive mitigation strategies.
• Promote continuous improvement and best practices across the project.
• Lead and mentor Resident Engineers, Senior Resident Engineers, discipline engineers, commercial staff, and project support teams.
• Optimize project resources and organizational structure to achieve project objectives.
• Monitor staff performance, succession planning, and professional development.

Reporting & Executive Communication

• Review executive progress reports, dashboards, commercial reports, and key performance indicators.
• Report project status, risks, opportunities, and strategic recommendations to senior management.
• Ensure effective project documentation and governance throughout the project lifecycle.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or an equivalent engineering discipline.
• Master's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or Project Management is highly desirable.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng), PE, PMP, or equivalent professional certification is preferred.

Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum 20 years of relevant experience in the delivery of major infrastructure projects.
• Minimum 10 years in senior leadership roles such as Project Director, Project Manager, or Senior Resident Engineer on large-scale infrastructure developments.
• Proven experience managing multidisciplinary consultancy teams and complex stakeholder environments.
• Extensive experience in roads, utilities, drainage, transportation, public realm, testing & commissioning, and asset handover.
• Strong experience working with UAE government authorities, developers, and utility providers.

Technical Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of infrastructure project delivery, FIDIC contracts, project controls, commercial management, QA/QC systems, and HSE management.
• Proficiency in Primavera P6, project management systems, BIM, digital construction platforms, and executive reporting tools.
• Strong understanding of authority approval processes, stakeholder management, and asset transfer requirements.
• Outstanding leadership and strategic management capabilities.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and sound decision-making abilities.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, multidisciplinary teams, and multiple stakeholders simultaneously.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to quality, safety, innovation, and client satisfaction.

Additional Information

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

Benefits

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

Equal Opportunity Employer

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.