Project Director - Railway Infrastructure

AECOM Middle East Ltd; Dubai; On-site; AED 660,000 - 1,020,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Disability insurance

Paid leave

Flexible work options

Well-being resources

Employee assistance

Retirement benefits

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Project Director for Railway Infrastructure in Dubai to lead a major rail project from planning to commissioning. You will head multidisciplinary teams, manage budgets, and interact with government agencies to ensure regulatory alignment.

The role demands extensive railway and tunneling expertise, strong executive presence, and proven ability to deliver complex infrastructure within UAE regulations. On-site work in Dubai is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 20 years of infrastructure or transportation project-management experience.
• Proven leadership of high-speed rail, rail transit or comparable transportation projects.
• Demonstrable tunneling project experience is required.
• Advanced understanding of project-management frameworks such as PMI or PRINCE2.
• Strong financial capability with experience controlling major project budgets.

Responsibilities

• Direct all phases of the railway project from planning through final commissioning.
• Establish the delivery strategy, governance structure and project execution framework.
• Develop and control project budgets, forecasts and cost-management measures.
• Monitor financial performance and identify opportunities to optimize project value.
• Build strategic relationships with government agencies and regulatory authorities.

Skills

Railway project leadership

Tunneling project management

Executive reporting

Stakeholder management

Regulatory coordination

Education

PMI/PRINCE2 familiarity

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

Job description

Project Director – Railway Infrastructure

Job Snapshot

Role: Project Director – Railway Infrastructure
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Transportation-Trucking-Railroad
Function: Project-Program Management
Experience: Minimum 20 years
Job Type: Full-time

Position Overview

The Project Director – Railway Infrastructure opportunity in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is a Transportation-Trucking-Railroad leadership role responsible for delivering a large and complex rail project from initial planning through commissioning. AECOM is hiring an accomplished project executive with extensive railway and tunneling experience to lead multidisciplinary teams, control commercial performance and manage relationships with government agencies, regulators, contractors and other stakeholders.

Job Details

Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Dubai
Industry: Transportation-Trucking-Railroad
Function: Project-Program Management
Salary: AED 55000-85000 per month
Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in Dubai; please confirm the final offer with the employer.
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Work Model: On-site
Requisition ID: J10151698

Role Context

This strategic position supports AECOM's Transportation business line within its Middle East and Africa operations. The Project Director will hold overall responsibility for the planning, design, construction and commissioning of a major railway development. The role demands strong executive judgment, commercial control and technical understanding of railway and tunneling projects within complex stakeholder and regulatory environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct all phases of the railway project from planning through final commissioning.
• Establish the delivery strategy, governance structure and project execution framework.
• Ensure project activities remain aligned with contractual objectives and approved timelines.
• Develop and control project budgets, forecasts and cost-management measures.
• Monitor financial performance and identify opportunities to optimize project value.
• Build strategic relationships with government agencies and regulatory authorities.
• Coordinate contractors, consultants, vendors and key project stakeholders.
• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of engineers, planners and support professionals.
• Establish clear responsibilities and promote accountability across the project organization.
• Identify technical, commercial, schedule and operational risks.
• Implement mitigation measures and appropriate contingency strategies.
• Monitor progress against approved schedules and key performance indicators.
• Direct corrective action when performance deviates from agreed objectives.
• Ensure compliance with UAE regulations and applicable safety standards.
• Maintain compliance with environmental requirements throughout project execution.
• Prepare project reports, executive updates and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Present project performance and major decisions to board-level stakeholders.
• Lead contract negotiations and oversee procurement processes.
• Manage vendor performance and strategic resource allocation.
• Champion innovation and international best practices in railway project delivery.
• Maintain rigorous quality and safety standards across all work packages.

Ideal Profile

• Minimum 20 years of progressive infrastructure or transportation project-management experience.
• Proven leadership of high-speed rail, rail transit or comparable transportation projects.
• Demonstrable tunneling project experience is required.
• Advanced understanding of project-management frameworks such as PMI or PRINCE2.
• Strong financial capability with experience controlling major project budgets.
• Track record of leading large multidisciplinary and cross-functional teams.
• Experience managing teams of more than 50 personnel.
• Strong government relations and stakeholder-management capabilities.
• Experience negotiating contracts and managing infrastructure procurement.
• Proficiency with Primavera P6, Microsoft Project or comparable platforms.
• Knowledge of UAE regulations and Middle East project delivery is preferred.
• Strong analytical judgment and structured problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent organizational and competing-priority management skills.
• Exceptional English communication and executive presentation abilities.
• Ability to lead decisively within a demanding and rapidly changing environment.

Skills Set

• Railway project leadership
• Rail transit delivery
• Tunneling project management
• Infrastructure program governance
• Design and construction management
• Testing and commissioning
• Project financial management
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Cost control
• Risk and contingency management
• Government relations
• Regulatory coordination
• Contract negotiation
• Infrastructure procurement
• Vendor management
• Primavera P6
• Microsoft Project
• Schedule and performance monitoring
• Executive reporting
• Multidisciplinary team leadership
• Quality and safety governance

Why Join Us

AECOM offers the opportunity to lead a major railway development with support from an international network of transportation, engineering and project-management specialists. The position provides significant influence over project strategy, technical delivery and long-term infrastructure outcomes. Depending on employment status and applicable policies, benefits may include health coverage, disability insurance, paid leave, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance programs, recognition awards and retirement-related benefits.

About the Company

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm providing advisory, planning, design, engineering, program management and construction management services. Its multidisciplinary teams work with public-and-private-sector clients across transportation, water, environment, energy and buildings. With more than 50000 professionals worldwide, AECOM develops sustainable and resilient solutions that improve communities and create long-term value.