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Project Director - Job Opportunity at Arclight Services

Abu Dhabi, AE
Full-time
Executive
Posted: July 12, 2025
Hybrid
AED 600,000 - 800,000 per year (USD 163,000 - 218,000) based on the executive level requirements, 15-20 years experience requirement, and the strategic nature of the role within the UAE market. The position's responsibility for high-value project portfolios and direct reporting to senior leadership suggests compensation at the upper end of the market range for construction and development executives in Abu Dhabi.

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic planning and execution of comprehensive project portfolios worth millions of dollars, directly impacting organizational growth and development objectives while ensuring alignment with Group Holding and Abu Dhabi University's long-term vision
Drive end-to-end project lifecycle management from conceptualization to completion, encompassing education facilities, residential buildings, and infrastructure developments that shape the built environment across multiple high-value developments
Provide executive oversight of multidisciplinary teams and high-value budgets, ensuring optimal resource allocation and risk mitigation while maintaining strict adherence to quality standards and regulatory compliance
Direct master planning and design coordination with external consulting firms and internal teams, ensuring all deliverables meet technical standards and end-user requirements while fostering innovation and sustainability
Oversee comprehensive cost management and procurement governance, including detailed budget development, contract negotiations, and financial forecasting across all project phases to maximize value and accountability
Manage construction execution across multiple active project sites, monitoring progress through advanced dashboards and site audits while resolving high-impact issues related to delays, safety, and compliance
Establish and maintain structured risk management frameworks, directing claims mitigation and dispute resolution processes while ensuring adherence to local regulatory approvals and coordination with external authorities
Serve as primary liaison with government officials, regulatory bodies, and key stakeholders, representing the organization in forums, regulatory reviews, and public events while managing permits and municipal approvals
Prepare and present comprehensive executive reports to senior leadership, including detailed risk matrices, cash flow projections, milestone trackers, and compliance dashboards to support strategic decision-making

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Civil/MEP Engineering, or a related technical field. Master's Degree in Construction / Engineering Management, Project Management, Urban Planning, or Executive MBA is highly preferred.

Experience

Minimum 15–20 years of progressive project management experience, including 7+ years in a director or senior executive position. Previous experience in education development projects for universities, schools and nurseries are plus

Required Skills

Strong leadership and decision-making skills Excellent project planning and organizational abilities Advanced knowledge of cost control, contracts, and construction methodologies Skilled in stakeholder communication and negotiation Proficient in project management tools Strong understanding of UAE regulations and authority processes Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously High attention to detail and problem-solving capabilities Arabic and English language proficiency

Certifications

PPM Certification is a plus
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The UAE construction and development sector is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by Vision 2071 and the UAE Centennial 2071 initiative, creating massive demand for senior project management professionals who can navigate complex regulatory environments and deliver world-class infrastructure projects. The focus on sustainable development and smart city initiatives has intensified the need for directors with expertise in green building standards like Estidama and LEED certification. Educational infrastructure development in the UAE has become a strategic priority as the country positions itself as a global education hub, with significant investments in university campuses, research facilities, and educational communities. This trend has created specialized demand for project directors with experience in educational facility development and stakeholder management with academic institutions. The integration of advanced project management technologies, including AI-driven project monitoring, digital twin technology, and sophisticated cost management systems, has transformed the role of project directors from traditional oversight to strategic technology-enabled leadership. Organizations are seeking directors who can leverage these tools to deliver complex projects with greater efficiency and transparency.

Role Significance

Typical oversight of 50-100+ professionals across multiple project sites, including direct management of senior project managers, construction managers, design coordinators, and administrative support staff. The role involves matrix management of external consultants, contractors, and specialist teams, effectively leading project ecosystems of 200-300+ individuals across active developments.
This is a C-suite level executive position with strategic influence over organizational growth and development portfolios. The role carries significant authority in budget allocation, strategic planning, and stakeholder relationships at the highest levels, including direct engagement with government officials and university leadership. The position represents the pinnacle of project management career progression in the construction and development sector.

Key Projects

Multi-billion dirham educational campus developments including student housing, academic buildings, research facilities, and supporting infrastructure Large-scale residential and mixed-use developments with integrated community facilities and sustainable design elements Complex infrastructure projects involving utility coordination, transportation integration, and smart city technology implementation

Success Factors

Demonstrated ability to navigate the complex UAE regulatory environment including ADM, DMT, and Civil Defense requirements while maintaining project momentum and stakeholder satisfaction. Success requires deep understanding of local approval processes and the ability to build strong relationships with government entities and regulatory bodies. Exceptional financial acumen and cost management expertise, with the ability to optimize multi-million dollar budgets while maintaining quality standards and delivery timelines. The role demands sophisticated understanding of construction economics, value engineering, and procurement strategies in the regional market. Strategic leadership capabilities that can align diverse stakeholder interests including academic institutions, government entities, investors, and development partners. Success requires the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical executives and maintain consensus across competing priorities. Advanced risk management and crisis resolution skills, particularly in managing construction delays, regulatory challenges, and stakeholder conflicts that can impact project delivery. The role requires proactive identification of potential issues and development of mitigation strategies before they impact project outcomes.

Market Demand

High demand driven by UAE's massive infrastructure development initiatives, limited pool of qualified senior professionals with regional experience, and the specialized nature of educational facility development expertise required for this role.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced stakeholder management and government liaison capabilities are absolutely essential for success in this role, as the position requires direct engagement with Abu Dhabi Municipality, Department of Municipalities and Transport, Civil Defense, and other regulatory bodies. The ability to navigate complex approval processes and maintain positive relationships with government officials directly impacts project success and organizational reputation. Comprehensive financial management and cost control expertise is crucial given the multi-million dollar project budgets and the need to optimize resource allocation across multiple concurrent developments. The role demands sophisticated understanding of construction economics, procurement strategies, and value engineering principles that directly impact project profitability and stakeholder satisfaction. Strategic leadership and team management skills are fundamental to success, as the role requires coordination of large multidisciplinary teams across multiple project sites while maintaining quality standards and delivery timelines. The ability to provide clear direction and resolve complex issues quickly is essential for maintaining project momentum and stakeholder confidence.

Beneficial Skills

Advanced project management technology proficiency including digital project monitoring systems, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and integrated cost management platforms would significantly enhance performance and efficiency in this role. These skills are becoming increasingly valuable as the industry adopts more sophisticated project delivery methods. Sustainability and green building expertise beyond basic Estidama and LEED requirements would provide competitive advantage as the UAE continues to emphasize environmental responsibility and sustainable development practices. Deep knowledge of emerging sustainability technologies and certification systems would position the successful candidate as a thought leader in the regional market. International project management experience, particularly in other GCC markets or similar regulatory environments, would provide valuable perspective for potential regional expansion opportunities and best practice implementation. This experience would be particularly valuable as the company may pursue growth opportunities in neighboring markets.

Unique Aspects

The role combines traditional project management with specialized expertise in educational facility development, creating a unique niche that bridges construction excellence with academic institution requirements and student life considerations.
Direct involvement in shaping Abu Dhabi's educational infrastructure landscape through projects that will impact thousands of students and contribute to the UAE's position as a regional education hub.
The position requires simultaneous management of multiple project types including educational facilities, residential developments, and infrastructure projects, demanding versatility and broad technical expertise rarely required in single-sector roles.
Integration of sustainability requirements including Estidama and LEED certification creates additional complexity and specialization that distinguishes this role from traditional construction project management positions.

Career Growth

Progression to C-suite roles typically occurs within 5-7 years for high-performing executives, with opportunities for regional leadership roles emerging within 3-5 years. The specialized nature of educational facility development creates opportunities for consulting and advisory roles with shorter timelines.

Potential Next Roles

Chief Operating Officer or Chief Development Officer for major real estate development companies or government entities Regional Director for international construction and development firms expanding in the GCC market Independent development consultant or principal in specialized project management consultancy focusing on large-scale infrastructure and educational facility development

Company Overview

Arclight Services

Arclight Services appears to be a project management and development services company with strong connections to Abu Dhabi University and broader educational infrastructure development initiatives. The company operates within the UAE's rapidly expanding construction and development sector, focusing on educational facilities, residential developments, and infrastructure projects that align with national development goals.

The company's association with Abu Dhabi University and involvement in educational infrastructure development positions it as a specialized player in the UAE construction sector. The role's requirement for government liaison and regulatory coordination suggests the company handles significant projects that require high-level stakeholder management and regulatory compliance expertise.
Strong regional presence in the UAE market with particular expertise in Abu Dhabi's development landscape. The company's focus on educational facilities and infrastructure projects aligned with national development objectives suggests established relationships with key government entities and academic institutions throughout the Emirates.
The role structure suggests a performance-driven environment with significant autonomy and accountability for project outcomes. The combination of office and site-based work with flexible hours indicates a results-oriented culture that values delivery excellence over traditional work arrangements, typical of senior executive positions in the regional construction sector.
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