Principal Consultant / Engagement Manager – Strategic Advisory

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

At Jacobs, we push the limits of what’s possible to make the world smarter, more connected and more sustainable. In our transport work, that means designing innovative solutions to move people and goods safely and efficiently across the globe. From rail systems mobilising accessible transit, to ports linking land and sea – when it comes to connecting the people and places of tomorrow, the future of transport depends on us.

Bring your curiosity, talent for multi-tasking, and extreme attention to detail, and we’ll help you grow, pursue and fulfill what drives you – so we can make big impacts on the world, together

We are seeking a Principal Consultant / Engagement Manager to join our Strategic Advisory team in the Middle East. This is a leadership role focused on delivering strategic and advisory engagements across a broad range of government priorities, including economic development, sector development, infrastructure, investment initiatives, policy implementation, and national transformation programs.

The successful candidate will lead complex consulting engagements, manage multidisciplinary teams, build trusted client relationships, and support the continued growth of our advisory business across the region.

What You'll Do:

As a Principal Consultant / Engagement Manager, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high-impact advisory services while supporting the growth of the practice.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading multidisciplinary teams in the delivery of complex advisory engagements for government, public sector, and private sector clients.
• Advising ministries, government agencies, regulators, public authorities, government-owned entities, investors, and private sector organizations on strategic priorities, sector development, policy implementation, investment initiatives, and transformational programs.
• Managing the development of strategies, business cases, policy assessments, implementation plans, economic analyses, sector studies, and other advisory deliverables tailored to client needs.
• Supporting clients in addressing complex economic, social, infrastructure, and development challenges through evidence-based analysis and practical recommendations.
• Conducting research, benchmarking, market assessments, and quantitative and qualitative analyses to support strategic decision-making.
• Managing complex stakeholder environments and engaging effectively with senior government officials, executives, regulators, investors, and private sector leaders.
• Leading project delivery to ensure technical excellence, commercial performance, quality outcomes, and client satisfaction.
• Managing project budgets, schedules, resources, risks, and contractual obligations.
• Supporting major national initiatives, sector development programs, and strategic priorities across the Middle East.
• Supporting business development activities, including opportunity identification, client engagement, and proposal preparation.
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships and acting as a trusted advisor to senior decision-makers.
• Supporting collaboration across Jacobs' global advisory network to leverage best practices and technical expertise.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Economics, Business Administration, Public Policy, Engineering, Finance, or a related discipline.
• 8+ years of professional experience in management consulting, government advisory, public sector advisory, strategy consulting, economic development, infrastructure advisory, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex consulting engagements and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Experience delivering advisory projects for government entities, public authorities, regulators, government-owned organizations, investors, or private sector clients.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, report writing, and presentation skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills with the ability to influence senior decision-makers.
• Strong project management capabilities with experience managing budgets, schedules, and client relationships.
• Proven ability to support business development activities and contribute to winning new work.

Ideally, Here's What You'll Also Have

• Experience supporting national transformation initiatives, Vision programs, or government development agendas within the GCC and broader Middle East region.
• Experience across one or more sectors including economic development, infrastructure, transportation, industry, energy, utilities, tourism, social infrastructure, or public services.
• Experience advising ministries, government authorities, development agencies, regulators, sovereign entities, investors, or private sector organizations.
• Understanding of public sector decision-making processes, policy environments, and government priorities within the Middle East.
• Ability and willingness to travel across the Middle East.
• A passion for helping clients address complex challenges and deliver meaningful outcomes for governments, businesses, citizens, and communities.

Jacobs. A world where you can.

From our inclusive employee networks to our positive mental health champions – we are committed to driving a culture of caring where you can be you. Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally - and together, our diverse perspectives and unique backgrounds power our collective strength. We collaborate and share! By supporting one another, we all succeed. With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we have gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You will uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities to do good too – from participating in our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you will discover how you can cultivate, nurture and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Start your Jacobs career with a company that inspires and empowers you to deliver your best work so you can evolve, grow and succeed – today and into tomorrow.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.