Job Description

Associate Director - Cost Management Masterplanning - AECOM - Dubai, UAE
Position Overview
The Associate Director - Cost Management (Masterplanning and Infrastructure) at AECOM plays a senior leadership role in shaping cost strategy for large-scale, mixed-use and infrastructure-led developments in Dubai. This role focuses on early-stage cost planning, commercial strategy, and advisory support from concept through pre-tender, working closely with clients, designers, and internal leadership to deliver optimized, value-led outcomes.
Job Details
Country: UAE
City: Dubai
Industry: Construction
Function: Cost Estimating
Salary: 32000-48000 monthly (Market estimated)
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Role Summary
The Associate Director is responsible for leading cost planning and commercial governance for complex masterplanning and mixed-use developments. The role provides strategic cost advice at program and portfolio level, oversees multi-project teams, and ensures alignment between design intent, development strategy, and cost outcomes while supporting growth across key market sectors.
Key Responsibilities

• Lead cost planning and commercial strategy for large-scale masterplanning, mixed-use, and infrastructure-led developments
• Provide strategic cost and commercial advice to support client decision-making at program and portfolio level
• Lead project setup, scope definition, delivery strategy, and commercial governance from appointment through completion
• Advise on phasing strategies, development yields, benchmarking, and cost-led masterplan optimization
• Ensure alignment between design intent, development strategy, and cost outcomes
• Provide senior technical leadership across feasibility, concept, schematic, and detailed design cost planning stages
• Oversee and challenge cost models, benchmarks, risk allowances, contingencies, and value engineering proposals
• Lead and oversee multiple project teams across a diverse project portfolio
• Plan, allocate, and manage resources to achieve delivery excellence within agreed fees, programs, and utilization targets
• Contribute to the growth of frameworks, key accounts, and priority market sectors
• Support the development of service offerings, cost tools, benchmarks, and thought leadership initiatives

Ideal Profile

• Strong commercial acumen with proven experience advising clients on early-stage development and infrastructure costs
• Demonstrated leadership on large-scale, mixed-use, and masterplanning projects
• Ability to engage confidently with senior clients, designers, and internal stakeholders
• Strategic mindset with a strong understanding of development economics and feasibility

Skills Set

• Masterplanning and infrastructure cost planning
• Early-stage cost modelling and feasibility analysis
• Commercial strategy and governance
• Benchmarking and cost-led optimization
• Risk management and value engineering
• Resource planning and team leadership

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying
• MRICS accreditation
• Typically 12-15 plus years of experience delivering major infrastructure, mixed-use, or complex developments

Why Join Us

• Senior leadership role on landmark masterplanning and infrastructure developments
• Opportunity to influence cost strategy at early concept stages
• Work within a global consultancy with strong regional presence
• Access to professional growth, thought leadership, and industry recognition

About the Company
AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm delivering professional services across buildings, transportation, water, environment, energy, and program and construction management. Operating in Dubai and across the Middle East, AECOM partners with public and private sector clients to deliver innovative, resilient, and sustainable solutions that shape communities and create long-term value.
Job Title Associate Director - Cost Management Masterplanning - AECOM - Dubai, UAE
Associate Director - Cost Management Masterplanning - AECOM - Dubai, UAE
Position Overview
The Associate Director - Cost Management (Masterplanning and Infrastructure) at AECOM plays a senior leadership role in shaping cost strategy for large-scale, mixed-use and infrastructure-led developments in Dubai. This role focuses on early-stage cost planning, commercial strategy, and advisory support from concept through pre-tender, working closely with clients, designers, and internal leadership to deliver optimized, value-led outcomes.
Job Details
Country: UAE
City: Dubai
Industry: Construction
Function: Cost Estimating
Salary: 32000-48000 monthly (Market estimated)
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Role Summary
The Associate Director is responsible for leading cost planning and commercial governance for complex masterplanning and mixed-use developments. The role provides strategic cost advice at program and portfolio level, oversees multi-project teams, and ensures alignment between design intent, development strategy, and cost outcomes while supporting growth across key market sectors.
Key Responsibilities

• Lead cost planning and commercial strategy for large-scale masterplanning, mixed-use, and infrastructure-led developments
• Provide strategic cost and commercial advice to support client decision-making at program and portfolio level
• Lead project setup, scope definition, delivery strategy, and commercial governance from appointment through completion
• Advise on phasing strategies, development yields, benchmarking, and cost-led masterplan optimization
• Ensure alignment between design intent, development strategy, and cost outcomes
• Provide senior technical leadership across feasibility, concept, schematic, and detailed design cost planning stages
• Oversee and challenge cost models, benchmarks, risk allowances, contingencies, and value engineering proposals
• Lead and oversee multiple project teams across a diverse project portfolio
• Plan, allocate, and manage resources to achieve delivery excellence within agreed fees, programs, and utilization targets
• Contribute to the growth of frameworks, key accounts, and priority market sectors
• Support the development of service offerings, cost tools, benchmarks, and thought leadership initiatives

Ideal Profile

• Strong commercial acumen with proven experience advising clients on early-stage development and infrastructure costs
• Demonstrated leadership on large-scale, mixed-use, and masterplanning projects
• Ability to engage confidently with senior clients, designers, and internal stakeholders
• Strategic mindset with a strong understanding of development economics and feasibility

Skills Set

• Masterplanning and infrastructure cost planning
• Early-stage cost modelling and feasibility analysis
• Commercial strategy and governance
• Benchmarking and cost-led optimization
• Risk management and value engineering
• Resource planning and team leadership

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying
• MRICS accreditation
• Typically 12-15 plus years of experience delivering major infrastructure, mixed-use, or complex developments

Why Join Us

• Senior leadership role on landmark masterplanning and infrastructure developments
• Opportunity to influence cost strategy at early concept stages
• Work within a global consultancy with strong regional presence
• Access to professional growth, thought leadership, and industry recognition

About the Company
AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm delivering professional services across buildings, transportation, water, environment, energy, and program and construction management. Operating in Dubai and across the Middle East, AECOM partners with public and private sector clients to deliver innovative, resilient, and sustainable solutions that shape communities and create long-term value.
Post Details
Job Start Date
Salary from 32000.00
Salary to 48000.00
Number of Vacancies 1
Location -
Location City Dubai
Desired Candidate's Profile
Gender No Preference
Nationality
Candidate Current Location

Skills Required