NOW HIRING A Head of Planning & Project Controls
Our client is a prominent main contractor specialising in large-scale infrastructure and oil & gas projects.
The Role
The Project Controls Director will lead and manage the project controls function across major infrastructure and oil & gas projects in the UAE. This senior leadership role is responsible for establishing and implementing best-in-class project controls systems, ensuring accurate planning, cost management, scheduling, risk analysis, and reporting to drive successful project delivery in alignment with corporate and client objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of project controls systems, processes, and procedures across all projects.
- Oversee integrated project schedules, budgets, forecasts, cash flows, and cost control mechanisms.
- Ensure timely and accurate reporting of project performance, including earned value analysis, key performance indicators (KPIs), and progress updates to senior management and clients.
- Develop and enforce standardized project controls governance to ensure consistency across infrastructure and oil & gas portfolios.
- Manage and mentor a team of planning engineers, cost controllers, risk analysts, and document controllers.
- Provide strategic advice to project directors and executive leadership on cost trends, schedule risks, and mitigation strategies.
- Coordinate with project management, commercial, procurement, engineering, and construction teams to support timely and on-budget delivery.
- Lead risk management activities, including risk identification, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and implementation of mitigation plans.
- Support tendering and pre-contract phases with detailed planning and cost estimation inputs.
- Establish project controls training programs and promote a culture
of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field (Master’s degree or MBA is an advantage).
- Minimum 20 years of experience in project controls, with at least 10 years in a senior leadership or director-level role within the infrastructure and oil & gas sectors.
- Proven track record of managing complex, large-scale EPC or infrastructure projects in the Middle East.
- Expert knowledge of project controls software (Primavera P6, Oracle ERP, SAP, Prism, or similar).
- Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
- In-depth understanding of project lifecycle processes, contracts, cost control, and risk management frameworks.
