Project Manager - Civil Works

CELESTAL; Abu Dhabi Emirate; On-site; AED 1,285,000 - 2,277,000; Full time

Job summary

Celestal is seeking a senior Project Manager to lead the civil works and tunneling on a landmark high-speed rail project in Abu Dhabi, UAE. You will manage multi-disciplinary teams and ensure delivery of tunnels, viaducts, stations, and depots to time, cost and safety standards.

The role requires 20+ years in major civil infrastructure, with at least 10 on railway projects and international GCC experience; strong knowledge of FIDIC, Primavera P6, and risk management; professional registration a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering; Master’s in Tunnel/Geotechnical or PM is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of civil works for high-speed rail.
• Oversee tunnels (TBM and NATM/SEM), viaducts and bridges.
• Set up project baseline: scope, schedule, budget and resources.
• Manage interfaces with railway systems; drive risk management.
• Lead contract administration under FIDIC; report to executives.
• Ensure compliance with HSE, RAMS; foster safety culture.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Interface management

Risk management

Client-facing

Fluent English

Geotechnical knowledge

Education

Bachelors in Civil Engineering

Master in Tunnel Geotechnical/PM

Professional Registration (PE/CE)

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Project

FIDIC contracts

Job description

Are you a seasoned infrastructure leader ready to deliver one of the region’s landmark transport projects? We are looking for a Project Manager to lead the civil works and tunnelling on a major high-speed rail project in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Your Responsibilities:

Project Delivery and Leadership:

• Lead end-to-end delivery of high-speed rail civil works, including:
• Tunnels (TBM and NATM/SEM)
• Viaducts and bridges
• Earthworks, cuttings and embankments
• Stations and depots
• Set up and control the project baseline (scope, schedule, budget and resources) across a multi-package, multi-billion-dollar programme.
• Track cost and schedule performance, and put recovery measures in place when needed.
• Lead and develop a large multidisciplinary team, including subconsultants.

Technical Oversight and Interface Management:

• Oversee the review and approval of designs, method statements, temporary works and construction programmes, especially for tunnels and long-span structures.
• Manage interfaces between civil works and railway systems (track, power/OCS, signalling, telecoms, rolling stock) so that integration, testing and commissioning go smoothly.
• Drive risk management, covering geotechnical and ground risks, settlement control, and high-speed requirements such as track geometry tolerances and aerodynamic and dynamic effects.

Stakeholder, Contract and Compliance Management:

• Act as the main interface with the project owner, government authorities, contractors, designers and third parties, and report to executives on progress, risks and performance.
• Lead contract administration under FIDIC or equivalent, covering variations, claims, payment certification and dispute avoidance.
• Ensure compliance with HSE, quality, environmental and RAMS requirements, and build a strong safety culture.

What We’re Looking For:

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. A Master’s in Tunnel/Geotechnical Engineering or Project Management is a plus.

At least 20 years of experience in major civil infrastructure, including at least 10 years on large railway projects.

Mandatory: A senior project management role on at least one railway project worth USD 4 billion or more.

Direct high-speed rail experience (250 km/h+) is strongly preferred.

Significant tunnelling experience with both TBM and NATM/SEM methods, plus exposure to viaducts and major structures.

Technical skills: Strong knowledge of civil/systems interface management, rail testing and commissioning, FIDIC contracts, Primavera P6 and programme-scale cost management.

International experience is required. Middle East/GCC experience is a strong advantage.

Professional registration (PE, CEng or equivalent) is required. PMP/PgMP is preferred.

Soft skills: Excellent leadership, stakeholder management and client-facing skills. Fluent English is required, and Arabic and/or French is an asset.