Manager Project Management Office

Position: PMO Manager

Location: Dubai, UAE

Sector : Metro/Railway

Employment Type: Full-time

About the Role

We are looking a highly experienced and strategic PMO Manager to report directly to the Project Director and lead the Project Management Office function for a major metro railway project. The PMO Manager will be responsible for establishing and governing the integrated project control framework across the full rail project lifecycle, ensuring executive-level performance visibility, schedule integrity, cost control, risk governance, and contractual compliance. Operating within a complex, multi-disciplinary rail industry environment, the role provides strategic performance assurance and supports executive decision-making to ensure successful delivery in alignment with client, consortium, and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Establish, lead, and continuously enhance the Project Management Office (PMO) governance framework across all project phases.

Report directly to the Project Director, providing executive-level dashboards, performance analytics, and strategic recommendations.

Oversee and integrate all Project Controls functions, including:

Integrated Master Schedule governance

Cost control and budget monitoring

Risk and opportunity management

Change control and claims interface

KPI and performance tracking

Ensure alignment across Engineering, Construction, Testing & Commissioning, Commercial, Procurement, and Systems teams.

Lead the consolidation of monthly progress reports for submission to senior management and the Employer.

Govern Earned Value Management (EVM) processes and forecast accuracy.

Identify performance gaps and implement corrective action strategies in coordination with work package managers.

Oversee risk registers and ensure proactive mitigation of schedule and cost exposure.

Ensure structured change management processes in line with contractual and FIDIC requirements.

Support executive and client steering committee meetings with structured performance briefings.

Ensure PMO compliance with contract requirements, corporate governance policies, and rail industry standards.

Lead internal audits and performance reviews related to project controls.

Interface with consortium partners and stakeholders on governance, reporting, and performance matters.

Required Experience

Minimum 12–15 years of experience in PMO leadership or senior project controls roles within major metro, railway, or transportation infrastructure projects.

Proven experience reporting directly to Project Director or senior executive leadership.

Strong background in integrated project controls within complex, multi-disciplinary rail environments.

Demonstrated experience managing planning, cost control, risk management, and performance governance functions.

Experience in consortium or joint venture project structures.

Strong contractual awareness, including exposure to FIDIC-based contracts.

Excellent executive reporting and stakeholder communication

Preferred Experience

Experience on large-scale metro projects in the Middle East.

Experience working with Employers, Independent Engineers, and regulatory authorities in rail industry projects.

Experience establishing PMO frameworks from project mobilization stage.

Experience leading multi-functional project controls teams.

Technical Skills

Advanced proficiency in:

Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

Advanced Excel (dashboards, forecasting models)

Power BI (preferred)

Strong understanding of Earned Value Management (EVM).

Experience with integrated reporting systems and performance analytics tools.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, or related discipline.

PMP certification or equivalent project management qualification is strongly preferred.

Additional certifications in Project Controls, Risk Management, or PMO Governance are advantageous.