Project Director

The Projects Director is accountable for the strategic planning, governance, and delivery of all capital and infrastructure projects under Keolis-MHI's operational scope across Dubai Metro and Tram. The role ensures alignment with business strategy, contractual obligations, and regulatory frameworks while optimizing resource utilization and enhancing delivery performance. The role provides leadership over high-value project portfolios and guides project delivery managers to ensure cost, schedule, risk, and quality targets are met.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Define and implement company-wide project delivery strategy aligned to Keolis-MHI and RTA objectives.
2. Lead the prioritization, planning, and sequencing of projects within a defined capital delivery roadmap.
3. Establish and enforce standardized governance across all project phases based on ISO 21500/PMI.
4. Own the project portfolio dashboard and ensure risk-adjusted decision-making at key stage gates.
5. Ensure effective cost controls, commercial governance, and claims resolution across the portfolio.
6. Lead strategic vendor and contract management, focusing on value, delivery, and risk exposure.
7. Drive performance management using key metrics (on-time delivery, budget variance, earned value, and quality metrics).
8. Monitor delivery progress of individual projects through direct reports and portfolio reviews.

KEY COMPETENCIES

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

1. Portfolio and Program Management - P3O, PMO, ISO 21500, PMI frameworks.
2. Project Management Capital project governance and contract lifecycle management (FIDIC /NEC).
3. Financial - Budget control and commercial management of large-scale public sector infrastructure.
4. Business Acumen - Expert-level understanding of metro system engineering and operations interfaces.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

1. Integrity - Personal integrity, accountability, and outcome-focused mindset.
2. Strategy - Strategic thinking and high-impact decision-making.
3. Negotiation skills - Strong stakeholder influence and negotiation capabilities.
4. Leadership - Cross-functional leadership in matrix and multi-vendor environments.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Education
   • Bachelor’s in Engineering or equivalent.
   • Certification: Project Management (PMP / PgMP / P3O), MBA or Executive Education in Infrastructure Delivery, ISO 21500, FIDIC/NEC.
2. Experience
   15-20 years in large scale capital projects with at least 5 in leadership roles, and a proven track record of leading high-performing project teams. Metro/rail sector experience. GCC infrastructure project delivery.
3. Skills / Training
   English fluency, stakeholder and board-level communication. Arabic fluency.