Project Management Unit Head - UAE Nationals

Confidential; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 400,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential seeks an experienced Project Management Unit Head to lead the project management and PMO function in Abu Dhabi. You will oversee governance, planning, execution and reporting of strategic and operational projects, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.

Responsibilities include maintaining PM frameworks, managing the portfolio, monitoring delivery, and leading risk, change and financial management while developing the PMU team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Strategic Management, Business Administration, Public Policy, Economics, or related field; Master's preferred.
• 6–8 years of experience in project management, PMO, strategic planning or institutional strategy roles.
• Experience in government or semi-government environments.
• Strong knowledge of PMO governance, portfolio management, risk management and project delivery.
• Strong understanding of capacity and resource planning.
• Experience in project financial tracking, forecasting and variance analysis.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, presentation and influencing skills.
• Strong leadership, strategic thinking and decision-making capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the PMO function and establish project management frameworks, standards and governance.
• Oversee the portfolio of strategic and operational projects with prioritization and sequencing.
• Monitor delivery across scope, timelines, budgets, risks and dependencies.
• Establish PMO dashboards and executive-level project reporting.
• Oversee project quality reviews and ensure PMO standards compliance.
• Lead risk, issue and change management across projects and escalate critical matters.
• Manage cross-project dependencies and support resource planning.
• Monitor outcomes and benefits realization; conduct lessons learned.
• Oversee project financials and procurement performance including budgets and expenditure.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams to address challenges.
• Coach and develop the PMU team and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Project governance

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Strategic Management, Business Administration, Public Policy, Economics, or related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Looking for an experienced Project Management Unit Head to lead the project management and PMO function, overseeing the effective planning, governance, execution and reporting of strategic and operational projects.

The role will provide oversight across the project portfolio, ensuring projects are effectively prioritized and delivered in alignment with organizational strategic priorities.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and maintain project management frameworks, standards, methodologies and governance mechanisms.
• Oversee the organization's portfolio of strategic and operational projects, including prioritization, sequencing and capacity planning.
• Monitor project delivery across scope, timelines, budgets, risks, issues and dependencies.
• Establish effective PMO governance, reporting frameworks, dashboards and executive-level project reporting.
• Oversee project quality reviews and ensure compliance with approved PMO standards and stage gates.
• Lead risk, issue and change management across projects and ensure timely escalation of critical matters.
• Manage cross-project and cross-functional dependencies and support effective resource planning and prioritization.
• Monitor project outcomes and benefits realization and lead post-implementation reviews and lessons learned.
• Maintain oversight of project financial and procurement performance, including budgets, forecasts, commitments and expenditure.
• Work closely with senior stakeholders, project owners and cross-functional teams to address delivery challenges and maintain alignment.
• Lead, coach and develop the Project Management Unit team and support continuous improvement of project management capabilities

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Strategic Management, Business Administration, Public Policy, Economics, or a related field. Master's degree is preferred.
• 6–8 years of experience in project management, PMO, strategic planning or institutional strategy roles.
• Proven experience managing complex project portfolios and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong experience within government or semi-government environments.
• Strong knowledge of PMO governance, portfolio management, project prioritization, risk management and project delivery.
• Strong understanding of capacity and resource planning.
• Experience in project financial tracking, forecasting and variance analysis.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, presentation and influencing skills.
• Strong leadership, strategic thinking and decision-making capabilities.