Project Director - Rail

Parsons; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Growth opportunities

Wellbeing program

Job summary

Parsons is seeking an experienced Project Director - Rail in the UAE to provide executive leadership for a major railway infrastructure programme. You will oversee project management, design review, construction supervision, testing, and commissioning, serving as the primary interface with the Client and stakeholders.

The role requires 20+ years in major railway projects, 15+ years in railway design/construction, and a proven track record in senior leadership on large programmes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 20+ years delivering major railway or transportation infrastructure programmes.
• 15+ years of railway design/construction experience (track, stations, structures, systems).
• Proven leadership in Project Director or equivalent roles on large programmes.
• Experience leading PMC/engineering consultancy services including design review, construction supervision, and handover.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership across the full programme lifecycle from mobilisation to close-out.
• Serve as Consultant's Authorized Representative and senior interface with the Client.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams on project management, design review, construction supervision, and commissioning.
• Establish governance, reporting, delegated authorities, resource planning, and performance management.
• Oversee interfaces across civil works, track, stations, rails systems, utilities, and O&M facilities.
• Manage programme performance, cost, risk, change, and contract administration.
• Provide executive reporting on critical risks, decisions, and opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder management

Railway systems

Communication

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next! At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what's possible.

Job Description

Parsons is looking for an experienced Project Director - Rail to provide executive leadership and overall direction for a major, multi-package railway infrastructure programme in the UAE. As the Consultant's Authorized Representative, you will lead the multidisciplinary project team and oversee project management, design review, construction supervision, systems integration, testing and commissioning, operational readiness, and final acceptance. You will be the principal interface with the Client and key stakeholders, ensuring safe, timely, commercially effective, and contract-compliant delivery.

Key responsibilities include

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction across the full programme lifecycle, from mobilisation through delivery, commissioning, handover, and close-out.
• Act as the Consultant's Authorized Representative and primary senior-level interface with the Client.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams responsible for project management, detailed design review, construction supervision, rail systems, systems assurance, testing and commissioning.
• Establish and maintain effective project governance, reporting, delegated authorities, resource planning, and performance-management processes.
• Oversee coordination across civil works, track, stations, structures, freight and intermodal facilities, O&M facilities, utilities, and railway systems.
• Manage programme performance, cost, risk, change, contract administration, claims, commercial matters, and recovery strategies.
• Provide executive oversight of interfaces between design-and-build contractors, rail systems, existing infrastructure, operators, authorities, utilities, and independent assurance parties.
• Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, applicable railway standards, and project safety, quality, security, and environmental requirements.
• Lead resolution of major technical issues, design changes, nonconformances, claims, EOT submissions, and high-impact programme risks.
• Oversee systems integration, safety assurance, testing and commissioning, trial operations, operational readiness, Taking Over, and final acceptance.
• Provide clear executive reporting and recommendations to Client and Parsons leadership on critical risks, decisions, and opportunities.

What Required Skills You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline from a recognized institution.
• Minimum 20 years of experience, with significant experience delivering major railway or transportation infrastructure programmes.
• Minimum 15 years of railway design and/or construction experience, covering relevant areas such as track, stations, structures, systems, freight facilities, and O&M facilities.
• Proven experience in a Project Director or equivalent leadership role on at least one railway or major transportation infrastructure programme of comparable scale and complexity.
• Extensive experience leading PMC / engineering consultancy services, including design review, construction supervision, programme management, systems integration, testing, commissioning, and handover.
• Strong understanding of railway civil works, track, stations, rail systems, systems assurance, interfaces, and operational readiness.
• Strong commercial and contractual capability, including programme controls, risk, change management, claims, and contract administration.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large multidisciplinary teams and manage senior Client, contractor, operator, authority, and stakeholder relationships.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, presentation, and decision-making skills.

What Desired Skills You'll Bring

• Professional registration, chartership, or membership with a recognized engineering or project management institution.
• Previous experience delivering major design-and-build railway programmes in the UAE, GCC, or comparable international markets.
• Strong experience managing complex railway interfaces, systems assurance, testing and commissioning, and operational-readiness activities.

Benefits & Perks

• We truly invest and care about our employee's wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars!

Parsons equally employs representation at all job levels no matter the race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.

Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices. To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer to https://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/