Project Director - Mixed-Use Development

AECOM Middle East Ltd; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 550,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM Middle East Ltd in Abu Dhabi seeks a Project Director to lead a high-value mixed-use development, coordinating multidisciplinary teams across design, construction, and operations, with focus on schedule, budget, quality, and client satisfaction.

You will direct PMCM activities, manage risk, contracts, and performance, and collaborate with regulatory authorities, subcontractors, and vendors to deliver the project from inception through handover, ensuring rigorous governance and delivery

Qualifications

• Minimum 20 years of project management experience in mixed-use development or large-scale construction.
• Proven expertise in Project Management and Construction Management methodologies and practices.
• Demonstrated experience managing high-value projects with complex coordination requirements.
• Strong capabilities in risk management, financial analysis, contract negotiation, and commercial oversight.
• Extensive experience leading multidisciplinary teams of 15 or more members.
• Proven experience managing subcontractors and vendors.
• Advanced problem-solving capability for complex project and business challenges.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Well-developed analytical and strategic planning capabilities.
• Proficiency with project management software and related tools.
• Comprehensive knowledge of UAE and Abu Dhabi regulatory requirements and building codes.

Responsibilities

• Direct large-scale mixed-use development activities and maintain delivery within approved scope, schedule, budget, and quality requirements.
• Act as the principal project liaison with clients, maintaining clear communication and effective working relationships throughout the project lifecycle.
• Develop project strategies and oversee proposals, contract negotiations, execution planning, and delivery.
• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary project teams of 15 or more members across multiple business lines, including remote personnel and subcontractors.
• Address complex project and business challenges involving risk, financial performance, contract administration, and resource allocation.
• Oversee project budgets, cost management, and financial forecasting while maintaining effective use of project resources.
• Manage project schedules, milestones, and delivery priorities while maintaining quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, regulatory authorities, and other project stakeholders.
• Implement practical solutions designed to improve project efficiency, mitigate risks, and strengthen operational performance.
• Monitor project performance metrics and provide detailed reporting to clients and senior leadership.
• Maintain accountability and effective collaboration across multidisciplinary project teams.
• Support the professional development of team members through leadership, mentoring, and clear project responsibilities.

Skills

Project Management

Construction Management

Risk Management

Financial Analysis

Contract Negotiation

Leadership

Schedule Management

Tools

Project Management Software

Job description

Project Director - Mixed-Use Development Job Snapshot Role: Project Director Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE Industry: Civil Engineering Function: Project-Program Management Experience: Minimum 20 years Job Type: Full Time

Position Overview

AECOM is seeking an experienced Project Director in Abu Dhabi, UAE to lead a major mixed-use development involving significant contract values and complex multidisciplinary coordination. The role provides strategic and operational leadership across project delivery, client management, PMCM, commercial performance, contracts, risk, resources, schedules, and quality while directing multidisciplinary teams through the full project lifecycle.

Job Details

Country: UAE City: Abu Dhabi Industry: Civil Engineering Function: Project-Program Management Salary: Not disclosed Gender: No Preference Candidate Nationality: Not specified Job Type: Full Time Work Arrangement: On-site

Project Leadership Responsibilities

• Direct large-scale mixed-use development activities and maintain delivery within approved scope, schedule, budget, and quality requirements.
• Act as the principal project liaison with clients, maintaining clear communication and effective working relationships throughout the project lifecycle.
• Develop project strategies and oversee proposals, contract negotiations, execution planning, and delivery.
• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary project teams of 15 or more members across multiple business lines, including remote personnel and subcontractors.
• Address complex project and business challenges involving risk, financial performance, contract administration, and resource allocation.
• Oversee project budgets, cost management, and financial forecasting while maintaining effective use of project resources.
• Manage project schedules, milestones, and delivery priorities while maintaining quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, regulatory authorities, and other project stakeholders.
• Implement practical solutions designed to improve project efficiency, mitigate risks, and strengthen operational performance.
• Monitor project performance metrics and provide detailed reporting to clients and senior leadership.
• Maintain accountability and effective collaboration across multidisciplinary project teams.
• Support the professional development of team members through leadership, mentoring, and clear project responsibilities.

Required Experience and Capabilities

• Minimum 20 years of project management experience in mixed-use development or large-scale construction projects.
• Proven expertise in Project Management and Construction Management methodologies and practices.
• Demonstrated experience managing high-value projects with complex coordination requirements.
• Strong capabilities in risk management, financial analysis, contract negotiation, and commercial oversight.
• Extensive experience leading multidisciplinary teams of 15 or more members.
• Proven experience managing subcontractors and vendors.
• Advanced problem-solving capability for complex project and business challenges.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Well-developed analytical and strategic planning capabilities.
• Proficiency with project management software and related tools.
• Comprehensive knowledge of UAE and Abu Dhabi regulatory requirements and building codes.

Project Delivery Scope

The Project Director will provide senior leadership across the mixed-use development lifecycle, combining client-facing responsibility with oversight of programme, commercial, technical, and operational performance. The position requires coordinated management of multiple systems, disciplines, contracts, stakeholders, and delivery processes. A major focus is maintaining control of high-value project commitments while balancing schedule, financial performance, risk, quality, regulatory requirements, and resource allocation. The Project Director will also serve as a central decision-making interface among clients, project teams, contractors, subcontractors, consultants, and regulatory authorities.

Recruitment and Onboarding

Newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment. This requirement forms part of AECOM 's secure recruitment process.

About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm providing professional services across transportation, water, environment, energy, and buildings. Its teams work with public- and private-sector clients throughout the project lifecycle, from advisory, planning, design, and engineering through program and construction management. AECOM reported revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025 and has a global team of more than 50,000 professionals.