Project Director – Stormwater Drainage Program (PMC)

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Job Description:

Parsons is looking for an amazingly talented Project Director – Stormwater Drainage Program (PMC) to join our team! In this role you will get to lead the end-to-end delivery of a major stormwater drainage and program, providing strategic direction to a multidisciplinary PMC team and serving as the primary interface with the client and key stakeholders.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Providing overall leadership and strategic direction for a multi-year stormwater drainage and flood control program, including networks, channels, culverts, pump stations, outfalls, and related infrastructure.

• Acting as the primary point of contact with the client, government agencies, and key stakeholders; ensuring effective communication, alignment, and satisfaction with program objectives and outcomes.

• Leading and managing all phases of the program lifecycle: planning, feasibility, design management, tendering, construction, commissioning, and handover.

• Establishing, implementing, and maintaining the PMC project management plan covering scope, cost, schedule, quality, risk, HSE, interfaces, and communications.

• Directing and coordinating multidisciplinary teams (planning, design management, construction supervision, contracts/commercial, HSE, quality, environmental, stakeholder management).

• Overseeing the review of hydrologic and hydraulic studies, stormwater network layouts, and designs of open channels, culverts, retention/detention basins, pump stations, and outfalls.

• Ensuring stormwater system designs comply with local regulations, international standards, and best practices in resilience, climate adaptation, and sustainability.

• Leading procurement strategy and tender processes, including prequalification, preparation of RFP/RFQ documents, bid evaluation, and award recommendations.

• Managing schedule performance through a master program integrating design and construction activities; monitoring progress and implementing mitigation or recovery actions as needed.

• Overseeing cost control and commercial performance, including budgets, forecasts, cash flow, variations/claims, and final accounts, in coordination with contracts and commercial teams.

• Leading formal risk management processes, including identification, assessment, mitigation planning, and regular risk reviews.

• Championing HSE and quality management across all PMC activities and contractors; promoting a strong safety and quality culture.

• Coordinating with utility owners, municipal authorities, and third parties to secure permits, approvals, and manage technical and land-use interfaces.

• Chairing high-level project meetings (progress reviews, design coordination, risk workshops, executive and steering committee sessions).

• Preparing and presenting executive-level reports, dashboards, and briefings to the client and Parsons senior management.

• Anticipating and resolving complex technical, contractual, and construction challenges to minimize impact on time, cost, and quality.

• Mentoring and developing project management and technical staff; ensuring effective resource planning and succession planning for key roles.

• Ensuring orderly project close-out, including documentation, as-built records, O&M deliverables, and formal handover to operations entities.

What Required Skills You'll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or 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 roles.

• Proven experience as a Project Director or Senior Project Manager on large-scale stormwater drainage, utilities, or related urban infrastructure programs.

• Demonstrated success delivering complex, multi-contract infrastructure projects for public sector or municipal clients.

• Substantial experience managing design consultants, contractors, and specialist subconsultants within a PMC framework.

• Solid background in contract administration (e.g., FIDIC or equivalent), including handling claims, variations, and dispute avoidance/resolution.

• Strong leadership capabilities with a track record of managing large, multicultural, multidisciplinary teams.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Arabic, with the ability to produce clear reports and deliver high-level presentations.

• High level of commercial and contractual awareness, with proven ability to manage budgets, schedules, and risk.

What Desired Skills You'll Bring:

• Chartered or Professional Engineer status (e.g., CEng, PE, P.Eng, or equivalent).

• Previous experience working with an international consultancy/PMC organizations.

• Experience with digital tools for program management and stormwater planning, such as GIS, BIM, and hydraulic modeling software.

• Experience working with municipal and utility authorities in Abu Dhabi and familiarity with local codes and approval processes.

Parsons equally employs representation at all job levels no matter the race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.

We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!

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