PMO Manager

Role overview

This opportunity is for a seasoned PMO Manager to join a major metro and railway project in Dubai. Reporting directly to the Project Director, the role focuses on building and overseeing the project management office structure across the full project lifecycle. The position is centered on strong project governance, reliable performance reporting, schedule discipline, cost oversight, risk control, and contract adherence in a large, multidisciplinary rail environment.

Key responsibilities

• Set up, run, and continuously improve the PMO governance model across every phase of the project.
• Report to the Project Director and provide executive dashboards, performance analysis, and strategic recommendations.
• Manage the full project controls function, including master schedule oversight, budget and cost tracking, risk and opportunity management, change control, claims coordination, and KPI monitoring.
• Make sure Engineering, Construction, Testing & Commissioning, Commercial, Procurement, and Systems teams stay aligned.
• Prepare and consolidate monthly progress updates for senior leadership and the Employer.
• Drive Earned Value Management practices and improve forecasting accuracy.
• Spot performance issues and work with package managers to implement corrective actions.
• Maintain risk logs and take a proactive approach to reducing schedule and cost exposure.
• Ensure change management is handled in a controlled way and remains consistent with contractual and FIDIC obligations.
• Support steering committee and executive meetings with clear, structured progress briefings.
• Ensure PMO activities comply with contract terms, corporate governance standards, and rail industry requirements.
• Lead internal audits and reviews related to project controls performance.
• Coordinate with consortium partners and other stakeholders on governance, reporting, and performance matters.

Requirements

• 12 to 15 years of experience in PMO leadership or senior project controls positions on major metro, railway, or transport infrastructure projects.
• Direct experience reporting to a Project Director or senior executive stakeholder.
• Strong background in integrated controls within complex, multidisciplinary rail projects.
• Hands-on experience across planning, cost management, risk management, and performance governance.
• Exposure to consortium or joint venture delivery models.
• Good understanding of contracts, including FIDIC-based frameworks.
• Strong executive-level reporting and stakeholder communication skills.
• Preferred background includes major metro project experience in the Middle East.
• Experience working with Employers, Independent Engineers, and regulators in rail projects is an advantage.
• Ability to establish PMO frameworks from mobilization stage is preferred.
• Experience leading cross-functional project controls teams is desirable.
• Advanced capability with Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, and Excel; Power BI is preferred.
• Solid understanding of Earned Value Management and integrated reporting tools.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, or a related field.
• PMP or an equivalent project management credential is strongly preferred.
• Additional qualifications in Project Controls, Risk Management, or PMO Governance are a plus.

Additional information

Location: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Metro/Railway

Employment type: Full-time

Company: MPH

Role focus: Strategic PMO leadership for executive performance visibility, schedule integrity, cost control, risk governance, and contractual compliance.