Project Director – Rail

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Job Description

Parsons is looking for an experienced Project Director – Rail to provide executive leadership and overall direction for a major, multi-package railway infrastructure programme in the UAE. As the Consultant's Authorized Representative, you will lead the multidisciplinary project team and oversee project management, design review, construction supervision, systems integration, testing and commissioning, operational readiness, and final acceptance. You will be the principal interface with the Client and key stakeholders, ensuring safe, timely, commercially effective, and contract-compliant delivery.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction across the full programme lifecycle, from mobilisation through delivery, commissioning, handover, and close-out.
• Act as the Consultant's Authorized Representative and primary senior-level interface with the Client.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams responsible for project management, detailed design review, construction supervision, rail systems, systems assurance, testing and commissioning.
• Establish and maintain effective project governance, reporting, delegated authorities, resource planning, and performance-management processes.
• Oversee coordination across civil works, track, stations, structures, freight and intermodal facilities, O&M facilities, utilities, and railway systems.
• Manage programme performance, cost, risk, change, contract administration, claims, commercial matters, and recovery strategies.
• Provide executive oversight of interfaces between design-and-build contractors, rail systems, existing infrastructure, operators, authorities, utilities, and independent assurance parties.
• Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, applicable railway standards, and project safety, quality, security, and environmental requirements.
• Lead resolution of major technical issues, design changes, nonconformances, claims, EOT submissions, and high-impact programme risks.
• Oversee systems integration, safety assurance, testing and commissioning, trial operations, operational readiness, Taking Over, and final acceptance.
• Provide clear executive reporting and recommendations to Client and Parsons leadership on critical risks, decisions, and opportunities.
  
  
  

What Required Skills You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline from a recognized institution.
• Minimum 20 years of experience, with significant experience delivering major railway or transportation infrastructure programmes.
• Minimum 15 years of railway design and/or construction experience, covering relevant areas such as track, stations, structures, systems, freight facilities, and O&M facilities.
• Proven experience in a Project Director or equivalent leadership role on at least one railway or major transportation infrastructure programme of comparable scale and complexity.
• Extensive experience leading PMC / engineering consultancy services, including design review, construction supervision, programme management, systems integration, testing, commissioning, and handover.
• Strong understanding of railway civil works, track, stations, rail systems, systems assurance, interfaces, and operational readiness.
• Strong commercial and contractual capability, including programme controls, risk, change management, claims, and contract administration.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large multidisciplinary teams and manage senior Client, contractor, operator, authority, and stakeholder relationships.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, presentation, and decision-making skills.
  
  
  

What Desired Skills You'll Bring

• Professional registration, chartership, or membership with a recognized engineering or project management institution.
• Previous experience delivering major design-and-build railway programmes in the UAE, GCC, or comparable international markets.
• Strong experience managing complex railway interfaces, systems assurance, testing and commissioning, and operational-readiness activities.
  
  
  

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

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