Project Controls Director

Site Office, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Overview

The Project Controls Director is responsible for providing strategic leadership, governance, assurance, and oversight of all programme controls functions across major capital projects and programmes. The role leads the planning, scheduling, cost management, reporting, risk management, change control, information management, digital PMO systems, and programme performance functions to ensure successful delivery of programme objectives.

As a key member of the Programme Leadership Team, the Project Controls Director drives the implementation of AI-enabled project controls, digital PMO transformation, predictive analytics, integrated reporting platforms, Common Data Environments (CDE), and Programme Management Information Systems (PMIS) to deliver enhanced visibility, forecasting accuracy, governance, and executive decision support.

The role acts as the principal advisor to the Programme Director, client representatives, government stakeholders, and project teams on all matters relating to programme performance, controls, forecasting, risk, assurance, and governance.

Your Role

Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Provide strategic direction and leadership for all project controls disciplines including planning, cost control, reporting, risk management, change management, document control, information management, and performance assurance.

• Establish and maintain programme-wide project controls governance frameworks, policies, standards, procedures, and assurance processes.

• Lead the development and implementation of project controls methodologies and best practices to optimize programme performance and successful delivery.

• Develop and implement Project Controls Manuals, Scheduling Manuals, Reporting Frameworks, Risk Management Frameworks, Enterprise Project Structures (EPS), Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), forms, templates, and control procedures.

• Provide leadership and mentoring to multidisciplinary project controls teams.

Digital PMO Strategy and Transformation

• Lead the Digital PMO strategy across the programme, integrating project controls, reporting, governance, and digital delivery platforms.

• Drive implementation and optimization of Programme Management Information Systems (PMIS).

• Establish and govern Common Data Environments (CDE) to improve collaboration, information management, auditability, and programme transparency.

• Lead implementation of workflow automation and digital approval processes to improve efficiency and governance.

• Promote digital transformation and continuous improvement across programme controls functions.

• Drive integration between PMIS, ERP systems, BIM platforms, risk management systems, and reporting tools.

• Support implementation of digital twin technologies and advanced programme intelligence platforms where applicable.

AI-Enabled Project Intelligence and Predictive Analytics

• Lead the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and predictive analytics technologies across programme controls functions.

• Develop predictive forecasting models for schedule performance, cost trends, productivity, risk exposure, and programme delivery outcomes.

• Establish AI-driven early warning systems to identify emerging issues before they impact programme performance.

• Implement programme intelligence capabilities that support proactive intervention and executive decision-making.

• Utilize predictive analytics, scenario planning, and trend analysis to identify opportunities and threats.

• Lead the evolution of reporting from historical performance tracking to predictive programme intelligence.

• Ensure AI-generated insights are governed, validated, and supported by appropriate assurance and data-quality controls.

Planning and Scheduling Management

• Oversee development, implementation, and maintenance of integrated master schedules across the programme.

• Establish baseline schedules and monitor progress against approved plans.

• Conduct schedule assurance reviews, critical path analysis, and schedule recovery planning.

• Identify and manage schedule risks and opportunities.

• Lead schedule performance reviews and recommend corrective actions.

• Support extension of time assessments, claims evaluations, and forensic schedule analyses when required.

• Ensure consistent application of scheduling standards throughout the programme.

Programme Performance Reporting and Controls

• Establish and manage programme-wide reporting frameworks and performance monitoring systems.

• Produce executive dashboards, KPI scorecards, programme health reports, and performance summaries.

• Develop detailed periodic progress reports for programme leadership, client stakeholders, PMO governance boards, and government authorities.

• Create executive-level reporting focused on programme status, emerging risks, opportunities, issues, and critical decisions.

• Ensure all reporting supports informed and timely decision-making.

• Lead programme performance reviews and action-tracking processes.

Data Quality, Reporting and Performance Visibility

• Establish programme-wide data governance and reporting standards.

• Ensure data quality, integrity, consistency, traceability, and transparency across all controls functions.

• Develop real-time reporting and business intelligence solutions using Power BI and advanced analytics platforms.

• Promote a "Single Source of Truth" environment through integrated data management systems.

• Implement automated reporting solutions to improve reporting efficiency and accuracy.

• Drive continuous enhancement of performance reporting and visualization capabilities.

Cost Management and Commercial Controls

• Lead programme-wide cost control and financial performance management.

• Oversee development and maintenance of budgets, forecasts, commitments, accruals, and cash flow projections.

• Monitor programme expenditure, estimate-at-completion (EAC), and earned value performance.

• Identify cost risks, trends, and opportunities.

• Support commercial teams regarding claims, variations, and contractual impact assessments.

• Ensure alignment between project controls, commercial, finance, procurement, and programme management functions.

Programme Risk and Opportunity Management

• Lead and oversee the Programme Risk and Opportunity Management function.

• Establish and maintain programme-wide risk governance, assurance, and risk management frameworks.

• Facilitate strategic risk workshops and programme risk reviews.

• Ensure effective risk identification, assessment, mitigation, monitoring, and reporting across all projects.

• Lead quantitative risk assessments, schedule risk analysis, cost risk modelling, and contingency planning activities.

• Provide executive-level reporting on programme risk exposure and opportunity realization.

• Foster a proactive risk management culture throughout the programme.

Change Management and Controls

• Lead programme change control governance and processes.

• Review and assess the impacts of change requests on scope, schedule, budget, resources, and risks.

• Ensure compliance with approved change management procedures.

• Monitor cumulative programme impacts resulting from change.

• Maintain change control registers and associated reporting.

• Provide strategic recommendations regarding change implementation and programme implications.

Information and Document Management

• Manage programme information management and document control functions.

• Ensure implementation and governance of document management systems and digital collaboration platforms.

• Ensure accessibility, traceability, security, and audit readiness of programme information.

• Promote information management best practices through the Common Data Environment.

Assurance, Compliance and Continuous Improvement

• Establish project controls assurance frameworks and conduct independent programme controls reviews.

• Lead maturity assessments and benchmarking activities.

• Identify opportunities for innovation, process optimization, and operational efficiency.

• Support internal audits, external audits, and governance reviews.

• Drive continuous improvement across all project controls disciplines.

Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all project controls and programme performance matters.

• Provide strategic advice and recommendations to the Programme Director, client representatives, government entities, and stakeholders.

• Present programme performance, forecasts, risks, and recommendations to executive leadership and governance committees.

• Build effective relationships with project teams, consultants, contractors, and external stakeholders.

• Support executive decision-making through accurate, reliable, and actionable programme intelligence.

Organisational Structure

Programme Director ⬇ Project Controls Director

Direct Reports

• Planning Manager

• Reporting & Performance Manager

• Risk & Opportunity Manager

• Cost Controls Manager

• Digital PMO Manager

• Document Control & Information Manager

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering Management, or related discipline.

Professional Certifications (Preferred)

• PMP (Project Management Professional)
• PMI-SP (Scheduling Professional)
• PMI-RMP (Risk Management Professional)
• CCP (Certified Cost Professional)
• PSP (Planning & Scheduling Professional)
• MRICS / FRICS
• Chartered Engineer (CEng)
• PMO Professional Certification
• Digital Transformation, Data Analytics, or AI Certifications

About You

• Minimum 20 years of relevant project controls experience.

• Minimum 15 years in senior project controls leadership positions.

• Minimum 10 years GCC and Middle East experience.

• Professional Certification Preferred: PMP (Project Management Professional), PMI-SP (Scheduling Professional), PMI-RMP (Risk Management Professional), CCP (Certified Cost Professional), PSP (Planning & Scheduling Professional), MRICS / FRICS, Chartered Engineer (CEng), PMO Professional Certification, Digital Transformation, Data Analytics, or AI Certifications

• Proven experience delivering large-scale infrastructure, transportation, utilities, buildings, industrial, energy, or giga-project programmes.

• Extensive experience managing PMO, programme controls, reporting, governance, risk, and assurance functions.

• Experience implementing PMIS, CDE, integrated reporting platforms, and AI-enabled project controls solutions.

• Strong understanding of KSA Vision 2030 projects and government programme environments.

• AI, Digital and Advanced Analytics Tools

• Planning, Schedule and Risk : Primavera P6, Oracle Primavera Cloud (OPC), Primavera Unifier, Deltek Acumen Fuse, Deltek Acumen Risk, Primavera Risk Analysis (PRA), Safran Risk

• PMIS and Information Management: Oracle Aconex, Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC), Bentley ProjectWise, BIM 360, SharePoint Online, Microsoft Teams

• Reporting and Analytics: Microsoft Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, Power Apps, Power Automate, Tableau, Qlik Sense, Oracle Analytics Cloud

• AI and Predictive Controls: Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft Copilot for PMO Reporting, Power BI Copilot, Oracle Construction Intelligence, Deltek Predictive Analytics, Plan AI Schedule Intelligence, Alice Technologies, Autodesk Construction Insights, Bentley Digital Twin Analytics, Palantir Foundry

• Digital Delivery : BIM-enabled Project Controls, Digital Twin Platforms, IoT Performance Monitoring Systems, Integrated Programme Intelligence Platforms

Core Competencies

• Strategic Leadership

• Programme Governance & Assurance

• Digital PMO Leadership

• AI & Predictive Analytics

• Executive Reporting

• Commercial Acumen

• Risk Management Leadership

• Stakeholder Engagement

• Decision Making Under Uncertainty

• Planning & Organising

• Problem Solving & Critical Thinking

• Change Management

• Customer Focus

• Continuous Improvement

• Team Development & Mentoring

• HSE Awareness

• Strong Communication & Presentation Skills

Key Success Measures

• Programme delivery against schedule, budget, and performance objectives.

• Forecast accuracy and reliability.

• Effectiveness of governance and assurance frameworks.

• Quality and timeliness of executive reporting.

• Programme risk reduction and opportunity realization.

• Data quality and reporting integrity.

• Stakeholder confidence and satisfaction.

• Successful implementation of digital PMO and AI initiatives.

• Continuous improvement of project controls maturity and programme performance.

Rewards & benefits

This includes:

• Tax-free salary.

• Comprehensive life insurance coverage.

• Premium medical insurance for you and your dependents.

• Generous annual leave balance.

• Flexible and hybrid work solutions.

• Remote work opportunities outside of country.

• Company gratuity scheme.

• Discretionary bonus program.

• Annual flight contribution.

• Relocation assistance.

• Transportation & housing allowances (available for remote work locations).

• Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, personal health, fitness, and nutrition.

Seize every opportunity to sharpen your skills, expand your expertise, and be recognized for the impact you make.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's'infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.Find out more.