Project Controls Director / Project Controls Manager - Rail

About the Role and Company

Mace is a company that merges construction know-how with consultancy to unlock the full potential of individuals and projects, redefining ambition limits. The organisation's values guide how it operates and the type of people it seeks to join its mission.

The UAE is heavily investing in top-tier transportation infrastructure, with rail serving as a key element to connect communities, foster economic growth, and promote sustainable mobility nationwide. This growing sector offers exciting career prospects for professionals involved in delivering intricate infrastructure programs, ranging from large-scale passenger rail projects to freight, metro, and integrated transport initiatives.

Mace welcomes candidates whose expertise spans project management, programme management, planning, commercial management, engineering, design management, project controls, or delivery leadership to explore alignment with upcoming opportunities in this dynamic sector.

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee development and execution of integrated PMO and Project Controls frameworks to establish governance structure, guidance, and insights essential for successful programme delivery.
• Lead functions including planning, cost control, risk management, change management, progress tracking, and performance evaluation, ensuring a unified and transparent view throughout project life cycles.
• Set and maintain programme baselines and performance metrics while applying forecasting tools to manage potential opportunities, threats, and evolving trends proactively.
• Prepare strategic reports and analyses to support decision-making for clients and leadership teams, enabling timely interventions when necessary.
• Coordinate Project Controls activities across clients, consultants, contractors, and partners to align goals, data integrity, and reporting standards.
• Manage and mentor high-performing PMO and Project Controls teams by promoting technical skill development, teamwork, and ongoing capability enhancement.
• Implement strong assurance, governance, and control procedures that foster responsibility, regulatory adherence, and confidence in project performance and outcomes.
• Collaborate actively toward achieving net zero carbon transitions, taking shared accountability for identifying and managing carbon emissions and reductions during project delivery.

Candidate Requirements

• A relevant academic degree or equivalent professional background in the applicable field.
• Proven track record working on rail, metro, high-speed rail, or similar major infrastructure projects.
• Strong client engagement ability, analytical mindset, excellent written communication, and effective multidisciplinary coordination skills.
• Familiarity with pertinent delivery methodologies, standards, systems, and governance frameworks required for this role.
• Professional affiliations, chartered status, or specialized certifications are preferred where applicable.
• Experience within the UAE or broader GCC region is a plus but does not substitute for technical and delivery expertise.

Company Values

• Safety first: Prioritizing safe, diverse, inclusive workplaces with well-being support.
• Client focus: Ensuring quality deliverables and fostering long-term client relationships.
• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards and compliance while influencing positive industry outcomes.
• Create opportunity: Encouraging continuous improvement and inspiring employee excellence.

Additional Information

Mace is committed to inclusivity and encourages applications from a diverse range of candidates, including those who may not meet all listed qualifications, as they might be suited for this or other roles.

The company is open to discussions about part-time, flexible, and hybrid working arrangements where the role allows.