Project Manager - Civil Works (High-Speed Rail)

About the role

Celes'Talent is hiring a Project Manager to lead the civil works and tunnelling on a major high-speed rail project in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The role covers tunnels, viaducts, earthworks, stations and depots, and sits within a multi-package, multi-billion-dollar programme. The contract is full-time and project-based.

Key responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of civil works: tunnels (TBM and NATM/SEM), viaducts and bridges, earthworks, cuttings and embankments, stations and depots.
• Set up and control the project baseline (scope, schedule, budget and resources) and track cost and schedule performance, putting recovery measures in place when needed.
• Lead and develop a large multidisciplinary team, including subconsultants.
• Oversee the review and approval of designs, method statements, temporary works and construction programmes, especially for tunnels and long-span structures.
• Manage interfaces between civil works and railway systems (track, power/OCS, signalling, telecoms, rolling stock).
• Drive risk management, including geotechnical and ground risks, settlement control and high-speed requirements such as track geometry tolerances.
• Act as main interface with the project owner, government authorities, contractors, designers and third parties, and report to executives.
• Lead contract administration under FIDIC or equivalent, covering variations, claims, payment certification and dispute avoidance.
• Ensure compliance with HSE, quality, environmental and RAMS requirements and build a strong safety culture.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering; a Master's in Tunnel/Geotechnical Engineering or Project Management is a plus.
• At least 20 years of experience in major civil infrastructure, including at least 10 years on large railway projects.
• Mandatory: a senior project management role on at least one railway project worth USD 4 billion or more.
• Direct high-speed rail experience (250 km/h+) strongly preferred.
• Significant tunnelling experience with TBM and NATM/SEM, plus exposure to viaducts and major structures.
• International experience required; Middle East/GCC experience is a strong advantage.
• Professional registration (PE, CEng or equivalent) required; PMP/PgMP preferred.
• Fluent English required; Arabic and/or French is an asset.

Required skills

• Civil and systems interface management, rail testing and commissioning
• FIDIC contracts
• Primavera P6 and programme-scale cost management