Project Director (Infrastructure/Data Centre)

Atkins Realis Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 1,500,000 - 2,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tax-free salary

Life insurance

Medical insurance

Annual leave balance

Company gratuity scheme

Discretionary bonus program

Annual flight contribution

Transportation & housing allowances

Wellbeing program

Job summary

Atkins Realis Group is seeking a Project Director to lead major industrial and hyperscale data centre developments in the UAE and Gulf region. The role requires directing multi-disciplinary teams through feasibility, design, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover while maintaining safety, quality, schedule, and cost control.

Candidates should have extensive UAE/GCC experience and a track record delivering USD 250M+ projects, with a focus on client relationships, governance, and

Qualifications

• Significant project leadership experience on large-scale industrial and data centre developments.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage multiple large-scale projects from inception to completion.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Project controls

Risk management

Delivery excellence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or Construction Management

Master’s degree in Project Management / MBA (preferred)

Tools

BIM

FIDIC contracts

Uptime Institute standards

Job description

Job Description

**N.B: We are currently pending award on several significant projects. Should we be awarded, this position is key role. Consequently we are keen to speak to individuals in the market place with the experience listed below for such potential future programmes of work .**

Overview

The Project Director will provide strategic leadership, direction, and delivery oversight for large-scale industrial and mission-critical data centre developments across the UAE and wider Middle East region. The role is responsible for leading multidisciplinary teams through all project phases from feasibility and design management through procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover while ensuring excellence in safety, quality, schedule, cost, and stakeholder management.

The successful candidate will possess significant experience delivering hyperscale data centres, industrial manufacturing facilities, logistics hubs, warehouses, semiconductor facilities, pharmaceutical facilities, or other mission-critical infrastructure projects, preferably within the UAE or GCC region.

Your role

Leadership & Project Delivery

Direct and manage multiple large-scale industrial and data centre projects from inception through completion.

Develop and implement project execution strategies aligned with client objectives and business goals.

Lead project teams comprising project managers, design managers, commercial managers, construction managers, and specialist consultants.

Establish governance frameworks, reporting structures, and project controls.

Ensure delivery of projects within approved budget, schedule, quality, and risk parameters.

Client & Stakeholder Management

Serve as the primary executive point of contact for clients, investors, developers, and key stakeholders.

Build and maintain strong relationships with hyperscale operators, colocation providers, industrial developers, and government authorities.

Lead executive-level project reviews and steering committee meetings.

Provide strategic advice on project risks, opportunities, and commercial decisions.

Design & Technical Oversight

Oversee design development and technical coordination for mission-critical infrastructure.

Ensure compliance with UAE regulations, international codes, and client standards.

Guide design optimization efforts focusing on operational efficiency, resilience, sustainability, and lifecycle cost reduction.

Review and approve key technical deliverables.

Commercial & Contract Management

Lead procurement strategies and contract negotiations.

Oversee administration of EPC, Design & Build, PMC, and consultant contracts.

Manage project budgets, cash flow forecasts, and commercial reporting.

Drive cost control initiatives and evaluate change management requirements.

Construction Management

Provide executive oversight of construction activities.

Monitor contractor performance, productivity, safety, and quality compliance.

Ensure implementation of project recovery plans where schedule or cost deviations occur.

Oversee commissioning, integrated systems testing, and project closeout.

Risk, Safety & Compliance

Champion a strong Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental (HSSE) culture.

Ensure compliance with UAE regulations, client standards, and international best practices.

Lead risk management processes and mitigation strategies.

Ensure regulatory approvals and operational readiness requirements are achieved.

Business Development & Growth

Support business development initiatives and key pursuits.

Participate in client presentations, bid submissions, and project interviews.

Contribute to market growth strategies for industrial and data centre sectors across the region.

Mentor and develop senior project management talent.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive at every stage of your life and your career.

This includes:

• Tax-free salary.
• Life insurance coverage.
• Medical insurance.
• Annual leave balance.
• Company gratuity scheme.
• Discretionary bonus program.
• Annual flight contribution.
• Transportation & housing allowances.
• Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, personal health, fitness, and nutrition.

About AtkinsR alis

We’re AtkinsR alis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We’re committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Worker Type Employee Job Type Regular

At AtkinsR alis , we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.

Desired Candidate Profile

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction

Management, Architecture, or related discipline.

Preferred

Master’s Degree in Project Management, Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration (MBA), or related field.

Essential

Minimum 18-20 years of project management and construction experience.

Minimum 8-10 years in a senior leadership role managing major capital projects.

Proven delivery of projects exceeding USD 250M+ in value.

Extensive experience delivering:

• Hyperscale Data Centres
• Colocation Data Centres
• Industrial Manufacturing Facilities
• Logistics Parks
• Warehousing Developments
• Mission-Critical Infrastructure

UAE/GCC Experience

Minimum 10 years working in the UAE or GCC region.

Strong understanding of UAE construction regulations, authority approvals, and project delivery practices.

Technical Expertise

• Data Centre Design and Delivery
• Tier III and Tier IV Data Centre Infrastructure
• Uptime Institute standards
• ANSI/TIA-942 Standards
• Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Programs
• Building Information Modelling (BIM)
• Design Management
• Construction Management
• Program Management
• Project Controls
• Commercial Management
• Commissioning Management
• Risk Management
• Hyperscale operators such as Microsoft, AWS, Google, Oracle, Equinix, Digital Realty, Khazna, or similar.
• Industrial EPC projects.
• FIDIC contracts and major procurement strategies.
• Digital project delivery and reporting platforms.

Professional Certifications

• PMP (Project Management Professional)
• PgMP (Program Management Professional)
• PMI-RMP
• MRICS / FRICS
• Chartered Engineer (CEng)
• CIOB Membership
• AACE Certification
• LEED AP
• Uptime Institute Accredited Tier Designer (ATD)
• Data Centre Specialist Certifications

Competencies

Leadership

Executive presence and influencing ability.

Strategic thinking and decision-making.

Team leadership and stakeholder management.

Commercial Acumen

Contract strategy and negotiation.

Financial management and forecasting.

Claims avoidance and dispute resolution.

Client Management

Relationship management at C-suite level.

Strong presentation and communication skills.

Ability to manage high-profile international clients.

Delivery Excellence

Results-oriented approach.

Strong risk management capability.

Ability to perform under demanding schedules and complex environments.