Project Director - Stormwater Drainage Program (PMC)

About the role

Parsons is looking for a Project Director to lead the end-to-end delivery of a major multi-year stormwater drainage and flood control program. The role provides strategic direction to a multidisciplinary PMC team and acts as the main interface with the client and key stakeholders.

Key responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the program, including networks, channels, culverts, pump stations, outfalls and related infrastructure.
• Act as primary contact with the client, government agencies and stakeholders, ensuring alignment with program objectives.
• Lead all phases of the program lifecycle: planning, feasibility, design management, tendering, construction, commissioning and handover.
• Establish and maintain the PMC project management plan covering scope, cost, schedule, quality, risk, HSE, interfaces and communications.
• Direct and coordinate multidisciplinary teams (planning, design management, construction supervision, contracts, HSE, quality, environment, stakeholder management).
• Review hydrologic and hydraulic studies, network layouts and designs, and ensure compliance with local regulations, international standards and best practices in resilience, climate adaptation and sustainability.
• Lead procurement strategy and tender processes, including prequalification, RFP/RFQ preparation, bid evaluation and award recommendations.
• Manage schedule performance through a master program and oversee cost control, budgets, forecasts, cash flow, variations and claims.
• Lead formal risk management and champion HSE and quality across PMC activities and contractors.
• Coordinate with utility owners, municipal authorities and third parties for permits and approvals, and chair high-level project meetings.
• Prepare executive reports and dashboards, resolve complex technical and contractual issues, mentor staff and ensure orderly close-out.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in infrastructure project delivery, with at least 10 years in PMC, program management or construction management.
• Proven experience as Project Director or Senior Project Manager on large-scale stormwater drainage, utilities or urban infrastructure programs.
• Demonstrated success delivering complex, multi-contract projects for public sector or municipal clients.
• Experience managing design consultants, contractors and specialist subconsultants within a PMC framework.
• Strong leadership of large, multicultural, multidisciplinary teams and excellent written and verbal English and Arabic.

Required skills

• Solid background in contract administration (e.g. FIDIC or equivalent), including claims, variations and dispute resolution.
• Desired: Chartered or professional engineer status (CEng, PE, P.Eng or equivalent).
• Desired: experience with international consultancy/PMC firms, digital tools such as GIS, BIM and hydraulic modelling software, and municipal and utility authorities in Abu Dhabi.