**N.B: We are currently pending award on several significant projects. Should we be awarded, this position is key role. Consequently we are keen to speak to individuals in the market place with the experience listed below for such potential future programmes of work”.**
The Project Director will provide strategic leadership, direction, and delivery oversight for large-scale industrial and mission-critical data centre developments across the UAE and wider Middle East region. The role is responsible for leading multidisciplinary teams through all project phases from feasibility and design management through procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover while ensuring excellence in safety, quality, schedule, cost, and stakeholder management.
The successful candidate will possess significant experience delivering hyperscale data centres, industrial manufacturing facilities, logistics hubs, warehouses, semiconductor facilities, pharmaceutical facilities, or other mission-critical infrastructure projects, preferably within the UAE or GCC region.
· Direct and manage multiple large-scale industrial and data centre projects from inception through completion.
· Develop and implement project execution strategies aligned with client objectives and business goals.
· Lead project teams comprising project managers, design managers, commercial managers, construction managers, and specialist consultants.
· Establish governance frameworks, reporting structures, and project controls.
· Ensure delivery of projects within approved budget, schedule, quality, and risk parameters.
· Serve as the primary executive point of contact for clients, investors, developers, and key stakeholders.
· Build and maintain strong relationships with hyperscale operators, colocation providers, industrial developers, and government authorities.
· Lead executive-level project reviews and steering committee meetings.
· Provide strategic advice on project risks, opportunities, and commercial decisions.
· Oversee design development and technical coordination for mission-critical infrastructure.
· Ensure compliance with UAE regulations, international codes, and client standards.
· Guide design optimization efforts focusing on operational efficiency, resilience, sustainability, and lifecycle cost reduction.
· Review and approve key technical deliverables.
· Lead procurement strategies and contract negotiations.
· Oversee administration of EPC, Design & Build, PMC, and consultant contracts.
· Manage project budgets, cash flow forecasts, and commercial reporting.
· Drive cost control initiatives and evaluate change management requirements.
· Provide executive oversight of construction activities.
· Monitor contractor performance, productivity, safety, and quality compliance.
· Ensure implementation of project recovery plans where schedule or cost deviations occur.
· Oversee commissioning, integrated systems testing, and project closeout.
· Champion a strong Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental (HSSE) culture.
· Ensure compliance with UAE regulations, client standards, and international best practices.
· Lead risk management processes and mitigation strategies.
· Ensure regulatory approvals and operational readiness requirements are achieved.
· Support business development initiatives and key pursuits.
· Participate in client presentations, bid submissions, and project interviews.
· Contribute to market growth strategies for industrial and data centre sectors across the region.
· Mentor and develop senior project management talent.
· Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction
· Management, Architecture, or related discipline.
· Master's Degree in Project Management, Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration (MBA), or related field.
· Minimum 18-20 years of project management and construction experience.
· Minimum 8-10 years in a senior leadership role managing major capital projects.
· Proven delivery of projects exceeding USD 250M+ in value.
· Extensive experience delivering:
· Hyperscale Data Centres
· Colocation Data Centres
· Industrial Manufacturing Facilities
· Logistics Parks
· Warehousing Developments
· Mission-Critical Infrastructure
· Minimum 10 years working in the UAE or GCC region.
· Strong understanding of UAE construction regulations, authority approvals, and project delivery practices.
· Data Centre Design and Delivery
· Tier III and Tier IV Data Centre Infrastructure
· Uptime Institute standards
· ANSI/TIA-942 Standards
· Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Programs
· Building Information Modelling (BIM)
· Design Management
· Construction Management
· Program Management
· Project Controls
· Commercial Management
· Commissioning Management
· Risk Management
· Hyperscale operators such as Microsoft, AWS, Google, Oracle, Equinix, Digital Realty, Khazna, or similar.
· Industrial EPC projects.
· FIDIC contracts and major procurement strategies.
· Digital project delivery and reporting platforms.
· PMP (Project Management Professional)
· PgMP (Program Management Professional)
· PMI-RMP
· MRICS / FRICS
· Chartered Engineer (CEng)
· CIOB Membership
· AACE Certification
· LEED AP
· Uptime Institute Accredited Tier Designer (ATD)
· Data Centre Specialist Certifications
· Leadership
· Executive presence and influencing ability.
· Strategic thinking and decision-making.
· Team leadership and stakeholder management.
· Commercial Acumen
· Contract strategy and negotiation.
· Financial management and forecasting.
· Claims avoidance and dispute resolution.
· Client Management
· Relationship management at C-suite level.
· Strong presentation and communication skills.
· Ability to manage high-profile international clients.
· Delivery Excellence
· Results-oriented approach.
· Strong risk management capability.
· Ability to perform under demanding schedules and complex environments.
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.
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.
The Senior Commercial Manager will lead all commercial, contractual, procurement, and financial management activities across major industrial, logistics, manufacturing, and hyperscale data centre developments. The role is responsible for maximizing project profitability, minimizing commercial risks, ensuring contractual compliance, and providing strategic commercial leadership throughout the project lifecycle.
The successful candidate will have extensive experience managing complex infrastructure, industrial, and mission-critical projects in the UAE or GCC, with particular expertise in data centre projects, including hyperscale, colocation, and cloud infrastructure developments.
· Lead commercial strategy and commercial management activities across large-scale industrial and data centre projects.
· Develop project-specific commercial execution plans and governance frameworks.
· Ensure commercial objectives are aligned with project delivery and client requirements.
· Provide strategic advice to senior leadership on commercial opportunities and risks.
· Lead and mentor commercial teams across multiple projects.
· Administer and manage all contractual obligations between clients, consultants, contractors, and supply chain partners.
· Lead contract negotiations and amendments.
· Ensure compliance with contract terms, project procedures, and governance requirements.
· Provide guidance on contractual entitlements, obligations, and commercial strategies.
· Manage contractual correspondence and change control processes.
· FIDIC Red Book
· FIDIC Yellow Book
· FIDIC Silver Book
· NEC Contracts
· Design & Build Contracts
· EPC Contracts
· EPCM Contracts
· PMC Agreements
· Establish and manage project budgets, cost plans, and forecasting processes.
· Monitor commercial performance against approved budgets and business targets.
· Lead monthly commercial reporting and executive financial reviews.
· Manage project cash flow forecasting and payment certification.
· Develop cost optimization and value engineering strategies.
· Evaluate commercial implications of design and construction changes.
· Responsibility Areas
· Budget Management
· Cost Reporting
· Financial Forecasting
· Revenue Recognition
· Cost-to-Complete Analysis
· Margin Protection
· Earned Value Management
· Establish robust change management procedures.
· Review and assess variations, change orders, and compensation events.
· Lead preparation and negotiation of extension of time (EOT) claims.
· Manage disruption, acceleration, delay, and productivity claims.
· Resolve commercial disputes while protecting organizational interests.
· Support legal teams in arbitration, mediation, and dispute resolution matters when required.
· Lead procurement strategies for major packages and long-lead equipment.
· Manage tendering, bid evaluation, and contract award recommendations.
· Oversee commercial evaluation of suppliers and subcontractors.
· Develop commercial sourcing strategies to improve project profitability.
· Support procurement of mission-critical systems.
· Data Centre Procurement Experience
· Knowledge of procurement and commercial management related to:
· Electrical Infrastructure
· Switchgear
· UPS Systems
· Generators
· Cooling Systems
· Chillers
· CRAH/CRAC Units
· Structured Cabling
· Fire Suppression Systems
· Modular Data Centre Components
· Provide commercial leadership for hyperscale and colocation data centre projects.
· Ensure commercial risks associated with mission-critical facilities are identified and managed.
· Manage complex procurement packages and supply chain interfaces.
· Support commissioning and operational readiness budgeting.
· Review lifecycle cost implications of technical solutions.
· Industry Knowledge
· Understanding of:
· Tier III and Tier IV Data Centres
· Uptime Institute Standards
· ANSI/TIA-942
· Modular Data Centres
· Edge Data Centres
· Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Strategies
· Develop and maintain project commercial risk registers.
· Identify and evaluate cost, schedule, and contractual risks.
· Implement mitigation strategies and contingency plans.
· Participate in project risk reviews and executive reporting.
· Act as the primary commercial interface with clients and stakeholders.
· Develop trusted relationships with key client representatives.
· Lead commercial review meetings and contract negotiations.
· Support business development initiatives and bid opportunities.
· Bachelor's Degree in: Quantity Surveying
· Master's Degree in: Commercial Management
· Minimum 15-20 years of commercial management experience.
· Minimum 8 years in a senior commercial leadership role.
· Experience managing projects exceeding USD 150M-500M+ in value.
· Proven track record in industrial and mission-critical infrastructure sectors.
· Hyperscale Data Centres
· Colocation Facilities
· Manufacturing Facilities
· Semiconductor Facilities
· Pharmaceutical Facilities
· Industrial Plants
· Logistics Parks
· Distribution Centres
· Infrastructure Projects
· Regional Experience
· Minimum 8-10 years of UAE or GCC project experience.
· Strong knowledge of UAE contract practices and commercial regulations.
· Quantity Surveying
· Cost Management
· Commercial Management
· Contract Administration
· Change Control
· Variation Management
· Procurement Management
· Supplier Negotiations
· Earned Value Management
· Cost Forecasting
· Value Engineering
· Risk Management
· Financial Reporting
· Dispute Resolution
· Software Knowledge
· CostX
· Candy CCS
· Primavera P6
· Microsoft Project
· Power BI
· ERP Systems (SAP, Oracle)
· BIM 360
· ACC (Autodesk Construction Cloud)
· MRICS / FRICS
· MCIOB
· RICS Chartered Quantity Surveyor
· PMP
· CCM (Certified Construction Manager)
· MSc Construction Law
· CIArb Membership
· AACE International Certification
· PSP (Planning & Scheduling Professional)
· CCP (Certified Cost Professional)
· Commercial Leadership
· Strategic commercial thinking.
· Strong negotiation capability.
· Financial and business acumen.
· Ability to influence executive stakeholders.
· Executive-level presentation skills.
· Stakeholder management capability.
· Client-facing leadership experience.
· People Management
· Team leadership and mentoring.
· Performance management.
· Cross-functional collaboration.
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.
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.
Employee
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.
SNC Lavalin is now AtkinsRéalis. Please follow AtkinsRéalis on LinkedIn.
We are 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.
Follow our AtkinsRéalis page for new info: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atkinsrealis
