Associate Director - Cost Management
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Key skills for this role
About the Role
AECOM seeks an Associate Director - Cost Management to lead cost planning and commercial strategy for large-scale masterplanning and infrastructure projects in Dubai. Requires 12-15+ years experience, MRICS, and a Bachelor's in Quantity Surveying.
Key Skills for This Role
Responsibilities
- Lead cost planning and commercial strategy for large scale masterplanning, mixed use, infrastructure led and complex developments
- Provide strategic cost and commercial advice to support client decision making at programme and portfolio level
- Lead project set up, scope definition, delivery strategy, and commercial governance from appointment through completion
- Advise on phasing strategies, development yields, benchmarking, and cost led masterplan optimisation
- Ensure alignment between design intent, development strategy, and cost outcomes
- Contribute to the growth and expansion of frameworks, key accounts, and priority market sectors
- Support development of service offerings, cost tools, benchmarks, and thought leadership initiatives
- Provide leadership and oversight to multiple project teams across a diverse portfolio
- Plan, allocate, and manage resources to achieve delivery excellence within agreed fees, programmes, and utilization targets
- Provide senior technical leadership across feasibility, concept, schematic, and detailed design cost planning
- Oversee and challenge cost models, benchmarks, risk allowances, contingency strategies, and value engineering proposals
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying
- MRICS
- Typically 12 15+ years’ experience delivering major infrastructure, mixed use, or complex development projects
- Proven track record delivering large scale, mixed use and masterplanning developments
- Strong understanding of early stage cost modelling, feasibility studies, and development economics
Full Job Posting
Job Description
- AECOM are seeking a highly experienced Associate Director Cost Management, to join our masterplanning and infrastructure cost team.
- The role will play a critical leadership position in shaping cost strategy from early concept through to pre tender stages on large scale, mixed use and masterplanning developments.
- This position requires strong commercial acumen, strategic advisory skills, and the ability to engage confidently with clients, designers, and internal leadership.
Responsibilities
- Lead cost planning and commercial strategy for large scale masterplanning, mixed use, infrastructure led and complex developments
- Provide strategic cost and commercial advice to support client decision making at programme and portfolio level.
- Lead project set up, scope definition, delivery strategy, and commercial governance from appointment through completion.
- Advise on phasing strategies, development yields, benchmarking, and cost led masterplan optimisation
- Ensure alignment between design intent, development strategy, and cost outcomes
- Contribute to the growth and expansion of frameworks, key accounts, and priority market sectors.
- Support development of service offerings, cost tools, benchmarks, and thought leadership initiatives.
- Provide leadership and oversight to multiple project teams across a diverse portfolio.
- Plan, allocate, and manage resources to achieve delivery excellence within agreed fees, programmes, and utilization targets.
- Provide senior technical leadership across feasibility, concept, schematic, and detailed design cost planning.
- Oversee and challenge cost models, benchmarks, risk allowances, contingency strategies, and value engineering proposals.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying
- MRICS
- Typically 12 15+ years’ experience delivering major infrastructure, mixed use, or complex development projects.
- Proven track record delivering large scale, mixed use and masterplanning developments
- Strong understanding of early stage cost modelling, feasibility studies, and development economics
About AECOM
- AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world.
- As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings.
- Our teams partner with public and private sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle.
- AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025.
What makes AECOM a great place to work
- You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions.
- Work on groundbreaking projects both in your local community and on a global scale that are transforming our industry and shaping the future.
- With cutting edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact.
- Our award winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills.
- Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community.
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