Project Director

Project Director

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way.

Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.

Purpose:

We are looking for a Project Director to own the delivery of a portfolio of major projects, or one large programme, for JLL Project & Development Services (PDS) clients. Be the senior accountable lead for outcomes across programme, cost, quality, safety and risk, and the client’s trusted advisor at executive level. Build and lead the Project Management team that delivers.

Key Responsibilities

• Client Leadership and Account Delivery

• Act as the senior PDS contact for client executives on assigned projects, and hold accountability for client satisfaction and delivery performance.

• Build long-term client relationships, identify follow-on work and support account strategy with business development and the PDS leadership team.

• Represent JLL in senior client, authority and stakeholder forums, and manage escalations.

• Project and Programme Governance

• Set and maintain the delivery governance for each project, including project execution plans, reporting lines, decision rights and communication protocols.

• Assure that Project Managers apply JLL PDS standards, processes and quality procedures consistently.

• Review project health regularly, intervene early on projects off track, and report status to PDS leadership.

• Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, coach and develop Project Managers and Associate Project Managers, and set clear objectives and performance expectations.

• Resource projects to match their complexity and phase, and work with PDS leadership on staffing, recruitment and succession.

• Build a culture of accountability, safety and technical rigour.

• Programme, Cost and Commercial Control

• Own the review of master programmes, critical path risk and recovery strategies, supported by the Senior Planner.

• Oversee budget control, forecasting, variations, claims and extension of time positions with the Cost Manager and contract specialists.

• Protect the client’s contractual position through timely decisions, robust records and sound commercial judgement.

• Oversee the development of fee proposals, scope definitions and appointment terms for PDS services, in line with JLL commercial and contractual review processes.

• Design, Procurement and Delivery Assurance

• Assure that design development meets the client’s brief, budget and programme, and govern design change and value engineering.

• Direct procurement strategy, tender evaluation and contract award, and monitor long-lead and supply chain risk.

• Assure that quality, inspection, testing, commissioning and handover regimes are implemented and that works comply with approved designs, specifications and authority requirements.

• Health, Safety and Risk

• Set the expectation of a strong safety culture, and review HSE performance, incidents and corrective actions.

• Maintain project and portfolio risk registers, lead risk reviews and escalate significant exposure with clear recommendations.

• Comply with JLL information classification requirements in all project communications and records.

Requirements

• Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture or a related discipline.
• 18 to 25 years’ experience in construction and project management, including at least 8 years leading large-scale projects or programmes as Project Director, Senior Project Manager or equivalent.
• Proven record of delivering complex projects from inception through design, construction and handover for institutional or corporate clients.
• Minimum 5 years’ PMC or consultancy experience in the UAE, with strong knowledge of local authorities, contracting practice and market conditions.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing multi-disciplinary project teams.
• Strong knowledge of FIDIC and equivalent contract forms, including claims, variations and EOT.
• Commercial awareness, including fee proposal development and scope and risk review.
• Proficiency in MS Office and project reporting tools, and working knowledge of Primavera P6 outputs and CDE platforms.
• Excellent leadership, negotiation and communication skills, with executive-level credibility.

Desirable:

• Experience on data center, mission-critical or other complex, fast-track projects.
• Experience in the wider Middle East / EMEA region.
• Professional qualifications such as PMP, PRINCE2, chartered engineer status, or CIOB or RICS membership.
• HSE certification such as NEBOSH or IOSH.

Location

On-site – Dubai, ARE