Tunnel Lead - Middle East

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We are seeking an experienced and Tunnel Lead to join our team in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. As a key member of our engineering leadership, you will be responsible for overseeing large-scale tunnel projects across the Middle East region, ensuring their successful execution from conception to completion.

Tunnel Lead will be responsible for leadership of the Tunnelling business in the region from stakeholder engagement and client intelligence, to BD budget and pipeline management, winning and delivering frameworks and projects, managing associated KPIs and ensuring appropriate governance / reviews are used throughout bidding, project management and design delivery.

They will work collaboratively with the other practice and discipline leads in the region, the Work Winning Lead, the SHE Lead, the Operations Lead, and the wider AECOM business (other end market leads, SAMs and CAMs, leaders in other countries etc).

They will be client facing to significant clients, consultants and contractors.

They will also form part of the Global Tunnelling Team, supporting the Global Practice Tunnelling lead and representing the Middle East region and interfacing with other Tunnelling leads from other AECOM regions.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for driving the growth, strategy and sale of AECOM’s services for tunnelling within the region.
• Works in conjunction with the region executive, the region business line executive and region market sector and account management leaders to grow profitable business to ensure financial success of the region by developing and implementing strategic growth plans.
• From a tunnelling perspective, provides industry leadership across all market sectors, and leads the sales planning process.
• Oversees development of capture strategies and direct pursuits for tunnelling elements of project opportunities.
• Represent AECOM in state and industry group forums.
• Provide guidance and coaching to business development, market sector, account management and other region sales support staff.
• Is a member of the local Civil Infrastructure management team, focused on optimising the overall performance of the region.

Work Winning /Clients

• Develop / maintain key client and supply chain relationships in the tunnelling business, and more widely as appropriate, in order to build a pipeline of projects and opportunities to deliver the region annual planned revenue, margin and bookings from a tunnelling perspective.
• Lead key bids and frameworks as required.
• Promote a culture of success and drive a winning strategy.
• Engage with the wider AECOM business (i.e. other end markets, SAMs and CAMs to support strategy and growth targets.
• Manage the BD and bid delivery against budget
• Manage and motivate the regional team to grow effective client relationships and opportunity pipelines.
• Excellence in Execution
• Deliver the operation’s KPIs for the region (revenue, margin, DQI, growth, attrition, risks and opps).
• Promote the appropriate use of governance and processes to support the business.
• Ensure that all projects within the region are appropriately resourced and managed.
• Ensure that all projects have appropriate technical oversight and champion technical quality.
• Lead succession and development within the region.
• Work collaboratively with the Regional leads across ME and with disciplines across AECOM to deliver best bids and projects.

People

• Ensure that the tunnelling business has appropriate professional discipline structure, succession and development plans.
• Instil a culture where other share knowledge, insights and learning.

Specific Skills Required

• Leads growth strategy development and delivery.
• Grows strong relationships with clients and partners.
• Uses KPIs to manage and improve performance.
• Leads and develops teams comprising mainly of engineers.
• Manages AECOM’s interface with key clients.
• Promotes a culture of success and drive a winning strategy.
• Role models compliance with governance and processes.
• Engage with the wider AECOM business (i.e. other end markets) to support strategy and growth targets.
• Passionate about technical excellence and quality.
• Experienced in bidding and leading major infrastructure design opportunities.
• Strategic thinker, literate, numerate and articulate.
• Sound commercial understanding.
• Understanding of the process and practices involved in the design and delivery of tunnelling projects in the transportation, water and energy sector.
• Flexible and proactive approach.
• Technical leader on the subject of tunnelling.

• Bachelor of Science or Engineering from an accredited University in a related Civil Engineering Discipline
• A Master of Science / Engineering or PhD would be an advantage.
• CEng, PE, or equivalent licensing/registration as a professional engineer is required.
• Relevant registration required in Qatar, Bahrain and UAE.

Experience

• Generally, 18+ years minimum experience but allowance would be given for the Masters and PhD qualified people and for the right candidate.
• Previous experience in leading tunnelling opportunities and projects.
• Previous experience in leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in Engineering design and/or construction supervision in tunnelling.
• Confident and knowledgeable in the importance of safety and quality in design.

Person Specifications (Behavioural Attributes)

• • Safeguard – to operate ethically and with integrity, while prioritising safety and security
  • Be decisive – know how to prioritise, advocate focus and accountability
  • Be impactful – Use clear and frequent communications, drive execution and results
  • Be client focused – be collaborative, innovative and strategic
  • Be the role model – lead by example, demand excellence, maintain safety and integrity as top priorities

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.