Project Manager - UAE National

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Thales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea, and air. From early warning, to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short-range systems, to extended protection across the entire battle-space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence, Optronics, and Radar.

For over 50 years, Thales has been a trusted partner of the United Arab Emirates, providing innovative and cutting-edge solutions in Defence, Aeropsace and Cyber & Digital, aligned with the nation’s long-term vision. With a strong local presence and more than 500 employees across three offices, Thales is deeply embedded within the UAE’s ecosystem. Thales Emarat Technologies plays a pivotal role as a key industrial enabler, fostering national sovereignty, self-reliance, and innovation. Through localization, strategic collaboration, and exporting ‘Made in the Emirates’ technologies to global markets, we contribute significantly to the UAE’s ambitious growth and development while helping build a future we call all trust.

JOB OBJECTIVE

The Local Project Manager plans, budgets, oversees and documents all the local aspects of the Project. The PM works closely with the upper management to make sure the scope and delivery of the Project is on schedule.

In particular, the local Project Manager oversees all local activities, delivery, commissioning, interface with the UAE Customer and the End Users, contract management and payment recoveries.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The PM oversees all the aspects of the project management life cycle. Moreover, he provides the framework that will support all stakeholders and project teams to ensure successful delivery.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Managing the project to achieve contractual KPI.
• Managing the local team .
• Coordinating and completing the project on time within budget and within scope.
• Setting deadlines, monitoring and summarizing the project’s progress.
• Project Reviews: Providing project status, risks and issues (preparing reports for upper management regarding project’s status).
• Assuming program interface with Thales Business Lines .
• Ensure strong customer relationships (manage the interface between Thales, the Customer, and the End Users).
• Supervise and manage the compliant delivery of all required items to ensure timely cash payments from the Customer, as per the Contract
• Providing a central repository for project data (contractual, technical, financial)
• Providing a centralized management structure for the project management functions.
• Leading and directing cross-functional teams to deliver the project within the constraints of schedule, budget and resources.
• Capitalizing on best practices and proposing recommendation and improvement.

WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Proven working experience as a Project Manager and at least 5 years of experience in a related area.
• Excellent knowledge of management methods and techniques.
• Highly organized and capable planner with excellent attention to details.

QUALIFICATION, CERTIFICATION & EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor degree in a related field.

• Certification as a project management professional (PMP).
• Project Risk Management, statistical data analysis, program and portfolio management.
• Budget and expense control
• Planning
• Proficiency in English – Arabic as a plus

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Must be an appropriate organizational fit for the Thales culture, that is, exhibit the Thales values of Compliance, Respect, Innovation, Responsibility, Teamwork
• Ability to meet cost, time and quality objectives when delivering projects
• Strong communicator; able to build strong relationships and convey complex issues concisely and accurately.
• Effective presentation and negotiation skills
• Good time-management skills with a problem-solving attitude
• Analytical skills: Ability to solve problems, analyzing data and making decisions affecting the project.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced team environment while maintaining accuracy and efficiency

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working. Great journeys start here, apply now!