Associate - Project Controls

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Job Description

Planning / Project Controls Manager to support the delivery of major multidisciplinary design and engineering projects in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This role to lead planning and project controls activities across the project lifecycle, working closely with Project Directors, Project Managers, Design Managers, discipline leads, commercial teams, and clients. 

The role will be responsible for establishing robust planning and controls processes, monitoring project performance, identifying emerging risks and delays, and providing accurate forecasting and reporting to support effective project decision-making. 

Key Responsibilities 

Planning & Scheduling 

• Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of the project baseline programme in accordance with project requirements and contractual obligations. 

• Develop detailed design programmes covering all disciplines, design stages, deliverables, submissions, reviews, approvals, interfaces, and key milestones. 

• Establish appropriate WBS, activity coding, logic, calendars, resources, constraints, and programme controls. 

• Develop and maintain integrated master programmes and detailed Level 3/Level 4 schedules where required. 

• Monitor critical path activities, float, key interfaces, and schedule performance. 

• Coordinate with multidisciplinary design teams to ensure accurate activity status, remaining durations, and forecast dates. 

• Review the impact of scope changes, design development, client instructions, approvals, and technical interfaces on project schedules. 

• Prepare short-term and look-ahead programmes to support delivery priorities for every design stage. 

Project Controls 

• Establish and manage project controls procedures, systems, and reporting requirements. 

• Develop appropriate progress measurement systems for design and engineering deliverables. 

• Track engineering deliverables, submissions, reviews, approvals, RFIs, technical queries, and outstanding actions. 

• Prepare progress curves, dashboards, performance indicators, and management reports. 

• Develop reliable forecasts for design completion, key milestones, and project deliverables. 

• Ensure project controls information is accurate, timely, and aligned across project disciplines. 

• Identify schedule risks, trends, potential delays, and areas requiring management intervention. 

• Maintain schedule risk and mitigation registers in coordination with the project team. 

• Undertake schedule impact assessments for changes, delays, late information, and other project events. 

• Develop mitigation and recovery programmes where required. 

• Provide early warning of potential programme slippage and recommend corrective actions. 

• Support project management in assessing the effect of risks and opportunities on time and cost. 

• Support earned value and performance measurement processes where applicable. 

• Assess schedule impacts associated with variations, changes, additional scope, and client instructions. 

• Provide planning and schedule information to support commercial management and contractual requirements. 

Reporting & Management Information 

• Lead the preparation of weekly, monthly, and periodic project controls reports. 

• Produce schedule narratives explaining progress, critical activities, delays, risks, mitigation measures, and forecast completion. 

• Prepare management dashboards and presentations for senior management and client meetings. 

• Provide clear analysis of key performance indicators and trends. 

Client Relationship Management 

• Serve as the primary Project Controls focal point for clients throughout the project lifecycle. 

• Lead regular project controls discussions with clients, providing clear visibility on schedule, cost, risk, and performance. 

• Develop and present executive dashboards, KPIs, schedule analyses, cost forecasts, and risk reports.‌ 

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with client representatives and key stakeholders. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related discipline. 

• 10+ years of relevant experience, with significant experience in planning/project controls for major design, engineering, infrastructure, buildings, or multidisciplinary consultancy projects. 

• UAE/GCC experience within a major consultancy, engineering organisation, PMC, or client-side project management environment is highly desirable. 

• Demonstrated experience managing planning and project controls for complex multidisciplinary design projects. 

• Strong understanding of design management processes and engineering deliverables. 
  Advanced knowledge of Primavera P6. 

• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and experience with project reporting and dashboard tools. 

• Experience in schedule analysis, progress measurement, forecasting, risk management, and recovery planning. 

• Experience supporting contractual/commercial requirements and delay or time-impact analysis. 

• Knowledge of earned value management and cost control 

Additional Information

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM  

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work  

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.