Project Director

Job Description

Overview

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Project Director to support the delivery of complex aviation, industrial programmes based in Al Ain, UAE. This role will provide leadership across design management, programme & project management, and construction supervision activities for large-scale aviation and industrial developments.

Working closely with the client leadership teams, you will coordinate multidisciplinary delivery teams, manage stakeholder interfaces, and ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with programme objectives. The successful candidate will bring strong experience in aviation infrastructure, industrial facilities with a proven ability to manage technically complex projects from planning through delivery.

Your role

• Proven track record in delivering aviation, industrial facilities projects.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary design reviews, project management, and construction supervision services.
• Strong understanding of airport infrastructure, hangars, maintenance facilities, industrial plants, logistics facilities, and associated support infrastructure.
• Demonstrated leadership within complex, multi-stakeholder project environments.
• Experience working with aviation operators, industrial clients, regulatory authorities, contractors, and specialist consultants.

Project Leadership & Delivery Oversight

• Support the Project Director in leading projects throughout the full lifecycle—from concept and planning through design, construction, commissioning, and handover.
• Ensure project delivery aligns with client objectives, regulatory requirements, and operational needs.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across engineering, design, construction, commercial, and stakeholder management functions.
• Act as a key interface between clients, consultants, contractors, operators, and internal delivery teams.
• Provide leadership and direction to project teams to ensure successful delivery of project milestones.

Planning & Scheduling

• Support implementation of project management frameworks and execution strategies.
• Monitor project schedules and critical path activities across multiple workstreams.
• Review and coordinate programme updates, progress reporting, and recovery plans.
• Assist in managing project interfaces and ensuring timely stakeholder approvals.
• Support mitigation of delays and delivery risks to maintain programme objectives.

Financial & Commercial Management

• Support project financial management, cost control, and commercial performance.
• Monitor budgets, forecasts, and expenditure against approved baselines.
• Assist with contract administration, change management, and variation reviews.
• Coordinate with commercial teams on claims, risk management, and project reporting.
• Ensure governance and financial controls are maintained throughout project delivery.

Risk Management & Governance

• Support project risk management activities and development of mitigation strategies.
• Maintain project governance procedures, reporting requirements, and change control processes.
• Identify emerging project risks and escalate critical issues to senior leadership.
• Promote proactive management of technical, commercial, and delivery risks.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, operators, authorities, consultants, and contractors.
• Coordinate stakeholder interfaces and support resolution of delivery challenges.
• Participate in client meetings, steering committees, and project review workshops.
• Ensure effective communication across all project stakeholders.

Innovation & Digital Delivery

• Support implementation of digital delivery methodologies including BIM and integrated project controls.
• Promote innovative approaches to enhance project efficiency, quality, and operational outcomes.
• Encourage continuous improvement and adoption of best practices across project teams.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and mentor project managers, engineers, and technical specialists.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performance team environment.
• Support career development, technical growth, and succession planning within the team.
• Champion AtkinsRéalis values and safety culture across all project activities.

Reporting & Governance

• Prepare and review project reports for clients and internal leadership.
• Monitor project KPIs, programme performance, risk registers, and action trackers.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting across all project disciplines.

Client Management

• Support client engagement through meetings, presentations, workshops, and strategic discussions.
• Build trusted client relationships through proactive communication and delivery excellence.
• Assist in resolving project issues and maintaining long-term client confidence.

Business Development & Industry Engagement

• Support proposal development, bid submissions, and client pursuits within the aviation and industrial sectors.
• Participate in industry forums and professional networks to strengthen AtkinsRéalis market presence.
• Contribute technical expertise and lessons learned to support future project opportunities.

About you

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related discipline.
• Professional registration or chartership preferred (PMP, RICS, PE, CEng, or equivalent).
• Minimum 12–15 years of experience in project management and project delivery.
• Strong experience delivering aviation, industrial, manufacturing, logistics, or MRO projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary teams and complex stakeholder environments.
• Sound knowledge of project controls, construction methodologies, commercial management, and contract administration.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and client management skills.
• Experience working in the UAE or wider Middle East region is preferred.
• Ability to be based full-time in Al Ain, UAE.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career.

This includes:

• Tax-free salary.
• Life insurance coverage.
• Medical insurance.
• Annual leave balance.
• Company gratuity scheme.
• Discretionary bonus program.
• Annual flight contribution.
• Transportation & housing allowances.
• Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, personal health, fitness, and nutrition.

Seize every opportunity to sharpen your skills, expand your expertise, and be recognized for the impact you make.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Worker Type

Employee

Job Type

Regular

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.