Director – International Program Control - Engineering & Technical Services

About This Role

Job Description JOB PURPOSE : Management of the project controls function across the ADPG International Projects Portfolio in support of the program delivery team monitoring progress, identifying risks, and implementing corrective actions. The role entails ensuring robust oversight over the projects portfolio driving consistency in controls standards and enabling informed decision-making at the executive level.

Reporting To : Vice President – International Programme – Engineering & Technical Services | International Office

Job Location : Abu Dhabi, UAE

Responsibilities Key Responsibilities:

Core Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and governance of the integrated master schedule (IMS) for the port project portfolio, ensuring alignment with program milestones, milestones, critical path, and dependencies.
• Establish, maintain, and optimize scheduling standards, methodologies, and tools (e.g., CPM planning, resource leveling, risk-based scheduling, Primavera P6, MS Project, or equivalent).
• Consolidate project schedules into a portfolio-level view, tracking progress, forecasted completion, and schedule risk exposure.
• Review and approve baseline schedules, schedule updates, and earned value-driven schedule performance analysis.
• Oversee portfolio-wide cost management, including planning, budgeting, forecasting, and cost-to-complete (CoTC) analysis.
• Establish standard cost control processes (estimates, budgets, change orders, contingency management, and earned value management (EVM) where applicable).
• Monitor and report on cost performance metrics (CV, CPI, SPI where applicable), cost variances, and forecasted cost at completion (CFC/EAC).
• Manage risk-adjusted cost forecasting and scenario planning for the portfolio.
• Define and implement a standardized portfolio reporting framework for progress, cost, risk, and health indicators for executives and stakeholders.
• Lead the preparation of monthly/quarterly program reviews, dashboards, and exception reports highlighting risks, mitigations, and corrective actions.
• Develop and maintain data governance practices to ensure data integrity, consistency, and traceability across the portfolio.
• Communicate complex controls information in clear, concise, and actionable formats for non-technical leadership.
• Lead the identification, assessment, and prioritization of project and portfolio risks (schedule, cost, scope, and external factors such as regulatory changes or port operations).
• Develop, track, and monitor risk registers, mitigation plans, and contingency reserves.
• Establish and enforce project controls governance, including roles, responsibilities, approvals, and escalation paths.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, industry standards, regulatory requirements, and contract obligations.
• Facilitate governance cadences (portfolio reviews, stage gates, and steering committee meetings).
• Partner with Program Delivery, Engineering and International Implementation Teams to ensure alignment of controls with project execution plans.
• Act as a key liaison for executives on portfolio performance, risk, and mitigation status.
• Provide mentorship and development for project controls staff across the portfolio.
• Lead initiatives to improve the efficiency and accuracy of project controls processes, tools, and data analytics.
• Evaluate and adopt new technologies (AI-driven analytics, predictive forecasting, digital twins) to enhance forecasting accuracy and decision support.

People Management Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and team direction through establishment of clear goals, expectations and performance standards
• Engage in organizational design and staffing including definition of organizational structuring for the controls function and leading the talent planning and recruitment
• Engage in performance management through setting of KPIs, development plans that are aligned with career paths and portfolio needs.

Strategic Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic direction and governance for the project controls function across the ADPG international Portfolio
• Lead strategic portfolio planning and optimization including prioritization, sequencing and resource allocation

Qualifications KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS :

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or a related field Master’s degree is a plus
• Professional certifications (e.g., PMP, LEED, Chartered Engineer) are advantageous.
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken).
• Knowledge of additional languages is highly advantageous.
• Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in in a similar role.
• Proven experience in a similar role at a leadership/portfolio level responsibility preferably in the field of Ports and Maritime
• Demonstrated expertise in scheduling, cost control, Earned Value Management, risk management and reporting
• International experience overseeing a portfolio of complex construction and civil works projects, ideally in Ports and Maritime Infrastructure is highly desirable.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization.

About Us AD Ports Group

A Global Player

Through organic growth and partnerships, AD Ports Group has developed over the years into an integrated premier enabler of trade, industrialisation, and economic diversification. Established by Emiri Decree and owned by ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies with a broad portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy.

AD Ports Group is committed to building elite trade and logistics propositions. As trade has grown, so have we. Today, we are an integrated business across 5 clusters – Digital, Economic Cities & Free Zones, Logistics, Maritime, and Ports connecting global maritime routes and international trading partners.

About The Team We offer exciting opportunities to people from different backgrounds and nationalities through internal career advancement programmes. Once a member of our staff, you have the chance to grow horizontally and vertically throughout your career journey with us.

“We are proud to be the first organization from the Middle East region to receive the prestigious Investors in People (IIP) Platinum accreditation.”

Find more about us here .