Associate Director (Roads & Utilities)

Overview

Associate Director (Residential Villas & Mixed Use) role at AtkinsRéalis. Lead and manage the project or projects within the Masterplan program for Villa Projects, Abu Dhabi, UAE. The role involves working with clients, design consultants, Construction supervision consultants, contractors and other stakeholders to meet project objectives and client requirements.

Responsibilities

• Programme Delivery & Integration: Support the Project Director in ensuring consistent PMC delivery across villa and infrastructure packages; lead risk management, escalation, and resolution of issues affecting multiple packages or disciplines; monitor interface between design, construction, and commercial teams to ensure delivery cohesion; ensure compliance with delegated responsibilities under FIDIC where PMC is the named Engineer (site supervision delegated to CSC); technical understanding of multidisciplinary design (architecture, infrastructure, MEP, landscape).
• Stakeholder & Authority Coordination: Manage relationships with the Client and key Abu Dhabi authorities (e.g., ADM, DMT, ITC, ADDC); coordinate technical and administrative interfaces across contractors, consultants, and asset owners; ensure MoU-driven authority engagements fulfilled per programme and package timelines.
• Commercial & Governance Alignment: Liaise with PMC Commercial and Controls teams to ensure risk, cost, and programme data are consistent and accurate; oversee PMC contributions to claims, variations, payment recommendations, and cost reporting; maintain adherence to client governance and escalation protocols.
• Reporting & Communication: Support programme-wide reporting (milestone performance, design coordination, contractor progress); prepare executive-level briefings and risk registers for client leadership.
• General: Lead cross-functional teams, demonstrate leadership and people management; effective communication and collaboration; manage complex projects with strong organizational, time management, and cost-conscious design delivery; ensure AtkinsRéalis processes and client processes are followed; manage and direct contracts of entities on the Program (e.g., Lead Design Consultant, CSC, early/main works contractors); coordinate activities with stakeholders, consultants and contractors; assist in procurement of design consultants, specialists, and contractors; monitor and assist with PMC scope of services (construction management, constructability, safety in design, change management, value management); determine and manage risks; assist in stakeholder management and statutory approvals; oversee preparation of technical tender documentation; perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in architecture, Civil Engineering, or relevant design discipline; Chartered status (e.g., RIBA, P. Eng, C. Eng) preferred.
• Able to work in a team and be client facing; active leadership style.

Experience

• 20-25 years of experience with regional preference; 10+ years' experience in UAE in design management on hospitality projects; 5+ years in Project Management Consultancy; post-contract experience with pre- and post-contract experience preferred.

Competencies

• Deep knowledge of FIDIC contract implementation (including delegated site roles); excellent stakeholder engagement and risk management; proven authority coordination and PMC delivery; strong cross-functional leadership and commercial awareness.

Why AtkinsRéalis?

• Tax-free salary; life and medical insurance; paid annual leave; company gratuity; discretionary bonus program; annual flight contribution; relocation assistance; transportation & housing allowances; employee wellbeing program.

About AtkinsRéalis

Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-class engineering services and nuclear company dedicated to engineering a better future for our planet and its people. We provide end-to-end services across asset lifecycles and strategic sectors. Learn more at or follow us on LinkedIn. Careers information available at:

Other

Seniority level: Mid-Senior level; Employment type: Full-time; Job function: Business Development and Sales.