Project Director

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Dubai; On-site; AED 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Project Director to lead the delivery of major highways, bridges, and infrastructure programs in Dubai, with a primary focus on Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) projects. You will provide overall leadership, manage contracts and commercial aspects, and ensure delivery excellence in line with client and company objectives.

Responsibilities include developing the Project Execution Plan, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, negotiating variations, and driving value

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline.
• Chartered status or membership of a recognized professional institution preferred.
• PMP or equivalent Project Management certification preferred.
• Minimum 20 years of experience in managing large-scale infrastructure projects incl. highways/bridges.
• Minimum 5–10 years direct experience in Dubai RTA projects.
• Proven record delivering projects over AED 1 billion in value.
• Strong commercial and contract management experience, incl. claims and negotiations.
• Experience leading large multidisciplinary teams in a matrix organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead overall project delivery from inception to completion.
• Develop and implement the Project Execution Plan, Health & Safety Plan, Control Plan.
• Act as the primary client interface for contractual, technical and commercial matters.
• Manage multidisciplinary teams across design, construction and project controls.
• Negotiate scope changes, variation orders and amendments.
• Monitor KPIs, milestones and deliverables; implement corrective actions.
• Oversee procurement and management of subcontractors and suppliers.
• Drive Value Engineering to optimize lifecycle cost and performance.
• Ensure compliance with HSE and Quality Assurance procedures.
• Manage claims, disputes and risk mitigation strategies.
• Prepare and present progress reports to senior management and stakeholders.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture across all project participants.

Skills

Project leadership

Contract management

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline

Tools

MS Project

Primavera P6

Job description

• Legal Entity: AECOM MIDDLE EAST LIMITED DUBAI BRANCH
• Business Line: Transportation
• Work Location Model: On-Site
• Operating Group: International
• Primary Location: AE - Dubai, UAE - UBora Tower - Site

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

AECOM is seeking a Project Director to lead the delivery of major highways, bridges, and infrastructure programs in Dubai, with a primary focus on Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) project. The role involves overall leadership, contractual and commercial management, and ensuring delivery excellence in alignment with client and company objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Lead overall project delivery from inception to completion, ensuring adherence to scope, schedule, budget, quality, and safety requirements.

Develop and implement the Project Execution Plan, Health & Safety Plan, Control Plan, and other key project documentation.

Act as the primary client interface for all contractual, technical, and commercial matters.

Manage and coordinate multidisciplinary teams across design, construction, and project controls functions.

Negotiate scope changes, variation orders, and contractual amendments.

Monitor project performance against KPIs, milestones, and deliverables; implement corrective measures where required.

Oversee procurement and management of subcontractors, consultants, and suppliers.

Drive Value Engineering initiatives to achieve optimum lifecycle cost and performance.

Ensure compliance with HSE and Quality Assurance procedures.

Manage claims, disputes, and risk mitigation strategies.

Prepare and present progress reports to senior management and stakeholders.

Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture across all project participants.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline (BSc, BEng, or MEng).

Chartered status or membership of a recognized professional institution (MICE, MCIOB, MRICS) preferred.

PMP or equivalent Project Management certification is an advantage.

Minimum 20 years of experience in managing large-scale infrastructure projects, including highways, bridges, and urban road networks.

Minimum 5–10 years direct experience in Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) projects.

Proven record in delivering projects over AED 1 billion in value.

Strong commercial and contract management experience, including claims and negotiations.

Experience leading large multidisciplinary teams in a matrix organization.

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.

About AECOM

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.

• 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.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

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.