Director jobs in United Arab Emirates

Our Global Project Management Consultancy client has a new requirement for a well experienced Head of Project Management to join their team in the UAE to work within the leadership team in driving project management standards, systems, governance, and performance across multiple project typologies and scopes across the Emirates. The Head of PM leads the Project Management function at a strategic level, ensures the effective delivery of a portfolio of complex projects, and builds a high-performing team of project managers. The Head of Project Management acts as the firm's authoritative voice on project delivery excellence and will bring a minimum of 20 years experience including recognised consultancy company experience and regional project expertise. This role is available for immediate joining and is a direct hire, permanent placement with our client. Key Responsibilities: • Developing and leading the firm’s project management strategy, aligning it with overall business objectives. • Establishing and maintaining robust project management frameworks, methodologies, KPIs, and governance standards across all projects. • Championing a culture of accountability, performance, and continuous improvement within the PM function. • Owning the firm's project delivery risk register and escalate systemic risks to the executive team. • Leading, mentoring, and growing a team of project and program managers, ensuring clarity of roles, performance expectations, and professional development. • Introducing structured onboarding, career progression, and upskilling programs to enhance PM team capability. • Driving recruitment, performance management, and succession planning for the PM function. • Overseeing the successful delivery of the project portfolio (cost, time, quality), ensuring adherence to standards, budgets, and client satisfaction. • Intervening in high-risk or underperforming projects and provide leadership or remediation plans as needed. • Establishing regular project performance reviews and reporting cycles, delivering insights to executive leadership. • Acting as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders on project delivery performance and standards. • Collaborating with technical, commercial, and Country Directors to ensure cross-functional alignment and integration. • Building and maintaining senior-level client relationships, supporting business development and project acquisition. • Contributing to strategic bids, ensuring project delivery methodology is competitive and compelling. • Supporting project pricing, resource forecasting, and delivery modelling for major pursuits. • Analyzing delivery performance data to identify cost efficiencies and margin improvement opportunities. • Representing the Firm in communications with the Client, Sub-Contractors and JV partners, as delegated by the Project Director/Director of Project Services. • Preparing, planning and controlling financial budgets and team resources in order to deliver required commercial outcomes. • Preparing and managing complex project programmes and project contracts. • Ensuring project standards and QMS procedures are implemented across each of the technical areas involved in the project, including project administration. • Ensuring terms of the contract are followed and manages scope changes and their effect on delivery of project objectives. • Preparing monthly Project Report and input to consolidated Division Report. • Leading a team of professional employees, driving increased organisational performance and achievement of team goals. • Analysing existing work processes, procedures and systems, identifying opportunities for increased efficiencies, cost-effectiveness and service improvements. • Participating in business development activities, including tender/proposal preparation and presentations. • Anticipating and objectively and systematically analysing and resolving complex problems. • Identifying, assessing and mitigating project risks. • Leading and developing strong communication and working relationships with staff, management, subcontractors and clients which support collaborative work practices. • Ensuring the effective functioning of diverse project teams by using appropriate interpersonal styles to promote team cohesion and collaboration • Managing own continuous development and facilitate the development of team members through monitoring of staff performance, and day-to-day coaching and feedback. • Building upon Project Management capability of others and actively transfer technical expertise within the team. • Ensuring integration of health, safety and sustainability principles in all inputs and outputs of team

• Bachelors degree in an Engineering Discipline with at least 15 years post graduate work experience with at least 5 years in a senior leadership or departmental management role overseeing project managers or project teams • Chartered engineer certification from an internationally recognized engineering professional body is required. ICE membership at Associate Member level, or the equivalent thereof, is desirable. • Demonstrated success managing large, complex project portfolios. • Proven track record in leading large, multidisciplinary project portfolios across various stages of the project lifecycle—from strategic planning and design management through to construction oversight and close-out. • Demonstrated experience in establishing and embedding project management frameworks, standards, and performance monitoring systems across an organization or business unit. • Extensive experience in commercial management, contract administration, and risk mitigation in a consultancy or client-facing environment. • Strong capability in resolving underperformance, managing stakeholder expectations, and restoring confidence in troubled or high-risk projects. • Successful track record in building, mentoring, and developing high-performing project management teams, including implementing training, recruitment, and succession strategies. • Experience working with project controls tools, portfolio reporting dashboards, and modern PMO systems is highly desirable. • Prior exposure to client engagement, business development, and bid leadership for major projects is a strong advantage.