Project Associate

Project Associate

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Role Purpose

Manage the full project lifecycle of assigned small to medium-scale complex projects, from initiation through to handover, ensuring successful delivery of products and services within agreed scope, schedule, budget, quality standards, and customer requirements while supporting profitable business growth.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Delivery

• Manage the full project lifecycle, including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, control, and project closure.
• Develop comprehensive project plans, including project phases, milestones, schedules, work packages, workflows, and resource requirements.
• Establish and maintain an effective project management structure aligned with contractual obligations and project objectives.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, to the required quality standards, and in accordance with customer expectations.
• Define and communicate project success criteria to all stakeholders and project teams.
• Mobilise and optimise project resources, including manpower, capital, and infrastructure.
• Monitor project performance, quality assurance activities, and issue resolution throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure successful project acceptance and handover in accordance with contractual deliverables.

Commercial & Contract Management

• Support the Business Development team in the preparation of commercial and technical proposals.
• Lead coordination with contractors and subcontractors to negotiate, finalise, or amend contracts and agreements.
• Assist with dispute resolution, negotiations, arbitration, or litigation where required.

Stakeholder & Client Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors, and key external stakeholders.
• Provide regular project status reports covering milestones, deliverables, risks, dependencies, budgets, and key issues.
• Conduct client satisfaction surveys following project completion to measure service delivery and engagement.
• Ensure effective knowledge transfer internally and externally upon project completion.

Governance & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure projects support organisational strategic objectives.
• Track project metrics and report progress to senior stakeholders.
• Contribute to the implementation of improved project management systems, tools, and processes.
• Ensure compliance with organisational project management methodologies and governance standards.

Experience

• Minimum 4 years' project management experience within a public or private sector organisation.
• Experience managing projects within the Defence & Aerospace industry.
• Experience working in the UAE or wider Middle East is preferred.

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (any discipline) or equivalent.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is required.

Core Competencies

• Project & Portfolio Management
• Project Management Methodologies
• Risk Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Contract & Commercial Management
• Resource Planning
• Budget & Financial Management
• Quality Assurance
• Client Relationship Management
• Communication & Reporting
• Leadership & Team Management
• Problem Solving & Decision Making