Principal Project Manager

About The Role
This role is accountable for the end‑to‑end delivery of complex high‑rise, mixed‑use and luxury developments, integrating project management, design management, commercial oversight and stakeholder leadership. The role provides single‑point accountability across the project lifecycle, ensuring design excellence, program certainty, cost control, risk management and client satisfaction, in line with Mott MacDonald’s governance and best practice.

Key responsibilities and duties are listed, but not limited to, the below:

• Lead and administer projects from requirements definition through delivery, establishing scope, programme, budgets, risks and governance.
• Act as Project Manager / Project Principal in accordance with Mott MacDonald management systems and QA/QC procedures.
• Lead and coordinate multi‑disciplinary design teams and manage the design review and technical assurance process.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards and client requirements across all design disciplines.
• Maintain control of programme, cost, risk, change and reporting throughout the project lifecycle.
• Manage commercial aspects including fee utilisation, forecasting and variation management.
• Build and maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships, acting as a trusted advisor.
• Lead, mentor and develop teams, fostering a collaborative, high‑performance and inclusive culture.
• Identify and manage project, technical and reputational risks while proactively identifying opportunities.
  
  

Candidate specifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or architecture. MSc is a plus
• Chartered Engineer / Architect or equivalent professional registration preferred.
• Experience across project and design management within the built environment.
• Proven delivery of high‑rise, mixed‑use and luxury developments.
• Experience working in the Middle East / Gulf region.
• Strong understanding of project controls commercial and design management.
• Excellent leadership, client‑facing and communication skills.
• Experience working within a consultancy environment.
• Arabic speaking and writing will be of benefit to the role but is not a mandatory requirement
  
  

Our Purpose
At Mott MacDonald, our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do; relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients’ businesses, our communities and employee opportunities.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of our organisation. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate, rather take positive steps towards creating a diverse and inclusive working environment.

Flexible Working
At Mott MacDonald, we support our staff to create work-life balance which works for them and welcome candidates looking for career flexibility. We are open to discussing flexible working at interview stage.

We can offer:

• 90 calendar days’ paid maternity leave
• Competitive annual leave
• An annual professional institution subscription
• Annual company performance bonus scheme – Subject to company performance
  
  

Location(s):

Abu Dhabi, AE

Contract Type: Permanent

Work Pattern: Full Time

Market: Buildings

Discipline: Project programme and commercial management

Job Ref: 13845

Recruiter Contact: Iustina Blidariu