Project Director - Delivery Management (Hospitality)

AtkinsRealis are seeking a Project Director - Delivery Management (Hospitality) in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-leading professional services and project management company dedicated to engineering a better future for our planet and its people. We create sustainable solutions that connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. We deploy global capabilities locally to our clients and deliver unique end-to-end services across the whole life cycle of an asset including consulting, advisory & environmental services, intelligent networks & cybersecurity, design & engineering, procurement, project & construction management, operations & maintenance, decommissioning and capital. The breadth and depth of our capabilities are delivered to clients in key strategic sectors such as Engineering Services, Nuclear, Operations & Maintenance and Capital. News and information are available at www.atkinsrealis.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

About The Role

The Project Director, Delivery Management (Hospitality) leads and takes full responsibility for the strategic planning, management, and overall effective delivery of hospitality projects (including hotels, resorts, and other hospitality ventures) of a large-scale development programme in accordance with programme objectives and Leadership expectations.

This role will work closely with the Building Development Director (TBA), design and delivery managers, and internal & external stakeholders to develop the delivery strategies for the hospitality projects that meet projects objectives, and ensure implementation of these strategies from inception to handing over including, but not limited to, planning, resources deployment and management, procurement support, design and construction management, stakeholders’ engagement and management, and handing over to end user/operator.

The Project Director to oversee and ensure designs are meeting project objectives, design and operator’s briefs & requirements, compliant with relevant regulations and standards, cost efficient, and constructable methodically.

The Project Director shall emphasis on the projects’ teams meeting timely and budget-compliant completion of the projects, and to achieve the expected quality for hospitality products.

The Project Director shall be attuned to industry latest design and construction technologies, adopt, and integrate innovative technologies and methodologies that mostly relates to hospitality industry.

Responsibilities

The Project Director, Delivery Management (Hospitality), seamlessly links delivery strategy to successful delivery management. This role is crucial in ensuring the successful design development, project management and delivery of hospitality venues. This position requires a combination of industry expertise, project management skills, leadership capabilities, and effective communication to navigate the complexities of these projects and achieve their strategic objectives.

This role represents the following responsibilities:

• Provide visionary leadership and strategic guidance to project teams and stakeholders for the delivery management and coordination of major hospitality venues. Set clear project goals and objectives aligned with Client mission and vision.

  
  

• Provide expert-level guidance and technical support to the team, addressing technical challenges, resolving design and delivery issues, and ensuring best practices are followed throughout the design and delivery process.

  
  

• Advise at a strategic level at the project conception stage, including providing advice on the different approaches that can be adopted to successfully achieve the project objectives.

  
  

• Oversee and assist the delivery and design managers in initiating and preparing the project design scope and Request for Proposals (RFPs). To ensure meeting project objectives and design & operator’s briefs.

  
  

• Initiate and oversee the design consultant procurement process in coordination with the design and procurement departments. Provide tender technical support to the team to achieve compliant bids and successful award.

  
  

• Lead the establishment of the overall success criteria for the project.

  
  

• To help managing consultants to ensure that they fulfil their contractual obligations to the agreed programme, ensuring that the product produced by the consultants meets projects briefs, objectives, budgets, and development criteria.

  
  

• To help with Value Engineering optioneering on all projects to ensure the best value is achieved.

  
  

• To assist in the preparation of consultant and contractor lists.

  
  

• To help managing and directing multiple contractors and consultants engaged in these high-profile projects at various stages of work.

  
  

• To help managing contracts of all concerned stakeholders.

  
  

• To monitor all payments to contractors and consultants ensuring that there are no delays certifying payments by the design and delivery teams or by the Lead consultant or supervision consultants at site.   

  
  

• To oversee design progress, monitor design timelines for timely completion and budget compliant, report on progress, and to manage the preparation of comprehensive reviews/stage gate presentations for senior management approval.

  
  

• Ensure Consultant designs meet relevant regulations and standards.

  
  

• To champion the adoption of best practices, emerging technologies, and innovative methodologies to improve project outcomes.

  
  

• Ensure Consultant designs meet relevant regulations and standards.

  
  

• Ensure that design solutions are optimization for constructability, reliable, cost-effective, timely executable, and align with organizational standards.

  
  

• Oversee technical designs reviews and approval, ensuring they align with industry standards and organizational objectives.

  
  

• Ensure coordination with other project disciplines to ensure seamless integration and efficient design Interfaces.

  
  

• Promote sustainable and innovative solutions, such as green buildings, smart systems, and the integration of emerging technologies to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.

  
  

• Cultivate and manage relationships with stakeholders, ensuring smooth communication and efficient problem resolution.

  
  

• Oversee adherence to safety protocols and ensure designs are compliant with safety standards. promote a culture of safety within the organization and among project partners.

  
  

• Demonstrate exceptional communication skills to effectively address and resolve any issues that arise during the project delivery lifecycle.

  
  

• Be actively involved in risk management.  Recognize and help to mitigate risks associated with project delivery, interfaces, compliance, and data security.

  
  

• Oversee the delivery of projects for completion on time, within budget, and to meet program goals and objectives.

  
  

• Monitor and apply performance management techniques, including the use of KPI’s to improve project performance.

  
  

• Coordinate with project control department and allocated staff on program, change control, claims on each project.

  
  

• Coordinate with Client Procurement department on all commercial issues on each project to ensure that due process and contractual obligations have been followed and that optimum commercial out turn position is realized. 

  
  

• Coordinate with Stakeholder management to ensure effective and expedient management of all Statutory approvals is achieved for each project. 

  
  

• Direct and supervise project managers to ensure that they are optimizing project performance.

  
  

• Manage all Client end user clients ensuring that they are fully informed of project performance and status with real time reporting.

  
  

• Ensure that all Client HSE policies and procedures are fully integrated in each project ensuring a proactive approach.

  
  

• Take appropriate action on poorly performing projects.  Provided detailed reports on areas of concern, impact on the particular projects and the mitigation strategy proposed for rectification of poorly performing projects. 

  
  

• Closely monitor all potential change requests ensuring they are escalated to the senior management and uploaded to the appropriate workflow streams for review and or approval.

  
  

• Closely manage all project conflict to ensure that project performance is not hindered.

  
  

• Ensure that all regular reports are generated by the consultants, contractors and Client internal project staff on a real time basis and issued to the appropriate Executive Management at the required times.

  
  

• Provide support to wider team and logistics team on logistics related matters.

  
  

• Managing relevant meetings and site walks and ensuring these are suitably recorded.

  
  

• Oversee the project handing over to end user, provide close out documentation, training, and maintenance and operations manuals to ensure that assets will be well-maintained and safe.

  
  

• Stay abreast of industry advancements and best practices. Conduct regular interactions with consultants and vendors, and drive initiatives that enhance the organization's design efficiency and performance.

  
  

• Promote a culture of continuous improvement within the organization, identifying opportunities for innovation and implementing best practices in project delivery.

  
  

• To oversee compiling and distributing lessons learned to ensure continuous enhancement.

  
  

• Uphold ethical standards, integrity, and transparency in all aspects of project management.

  
  

Key Qualifications & Experience

Suitable candidates must possess:

Candidates for the role of Project Director (Hospitality) are expected to have a strong educational background, substantial hospitality industry experience, and a proven track record of success in developing and managing hospitality projects.

• Bachelor's degree in architecture, civil engineering, construction or project management, or a related field; master’s degree would be preferred.

  
  

• 15+ years of experience in managing successfully complex hospitality projects.

  
  

• Proven ability to lead and motivate project teams, work collaboratively with stakeholders, and build effective working relationships.

  
  

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to communicate complex technical information to non-technical audiences.

  
  

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think creatively and strategically.

  
  

Preferred Skills & Competencies

Some preferred skills and competencies for a Hospitality Project Director include:

• The project director should be able to develop and implement strategic plans that align with the organization's vision and goals.

  
  

• The project director should have strong leadership skills to set strategic direction, to lead a team of professionals towards achieving common goals and objectives, to motivate team members, and make critical decisions.

  
  

• In-depth knowledge of the hospitality industry, including hotel and resort project delivery management.

  
  

• Knowledge of architectural design principles and the ability to collaborate with architects and interior designers to achieve aesthetically pleasing and functional designs.

  
  

• Familiarity with the local market, customs, cultural sensitivities, and business practices in the UAE, particularly as they relate to hospitality industry.

  
  

• Ability to effectively manage multiple hospitality projects simultaneously, encompassing scoping, planning, resource management, design management, and construction delivery.

  
  

• Expertise in budgeting and cost control.

  
  

• Strong communication skills for effective interactions with team members, executives, and other stakeholders; proficiency in both written and verbal modes as well as presentations.

  
  

• Assessment and mitigation of risks related to hospitality projects to ensure success and resilience.

  
  

• Ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, vendors, and other relevant entities for project success.

  
  

• Results-driven mindset, consistently achieving project goals and driving success in design delivery. Problem-solving acumen to analyse challenges and develop innovative solutions.

  
  

• Continuous learning attitude to stay updated with the latest industry trends, technologies, and developments.

  
  

• Ability to review project progress and prepare reports for review, monitor budgets, and project costs, and ensure projects stay on track.

  
  

• Commitment to professional development and continuous improvement and be able to stay up to date with the latest industry trends.

  
  

• Capacity to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.

  
  

• Ability to foster collaborative relationships within and outside the organization.

  
  

• Proven track record in managing complex projects, displaying exemplary project management skills such as organization, time management, resourcefulness, flexibility, and communication.

  
  

• The ability to identify problems and develop effective solutions is crucial for ensuring the success of large-scale hospitality projects.

  
  

• The project director should have a strong understanding of financial management principles and be able to manage budgets and resources effectively.

  
  

The Project director should be skilled at engaging with diverse stakeholders, including local authorities, government officials, and industry representatives.

Why choose AtkinsRéalis?

Your difference makes a difference. We care for our people and are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where you can thrive and build a future you want to be a part of.

Thrive with us. When you join us, your wellbeing, health and safety become our top priority.

Engineering the future with digital. From design and engineering to project management, digital is fundamental to our way of working.

Champion lasting change. We build sustainability into everything we do.

AtkinsRéalis is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst our workforce. We aim to provide quality and fairness for all job applicants and employees and not to discriminate on grounds of gender, marital status, age, race, ethnic origin, religious conviction or disablement. We oppose all forms of unlawful treatment and discrimination. Our aim is for the company to be representative of all sections of society and that each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are committed to a policy of treating all our employees and job applications equally.

We pursue this commitment by:

- Having clear and concise procedures and guidelines for both line managers and employees to ensure policies are fully understood and implemented.

- Complying with the relevant employment legislation and codes of practice.

- Ensuring that all existing employees, potential employees, colleagues and customers are treated equally and with respect.

- Ensuring that the workplace is an environment free from discrimination, harassment, victimization and bullying regardless of an individual’s gender, marital status, age, race, ethnic origin, religious conviction or disablement.

- Making all decisions relating to recruitment, selection or promotion according to the employees’ ability

Salary & Benefits 

We offer an excellent package which includes

• A competitive salary

  
  

• 22 working days annual leave

  
  

• Medical and life insurance cover

  
  

• Company gratuity scheme

  
  

• Discretionary bonus scheme

  
  

• Annual flight allowance to point of origin