Job Description
UNS Dubai is looking for an
Associate Project Director to lead the delivery of complex architecture and design projects across the region (UAE and KSA). This role combines project leadership, client management, commercial awareness, and team guidance.
The Associate Project Director is expected to oversee projects from early design through delivery, maintain strong relationships with clients and consultants, and support high-quality outcomes that reflect UNS's design standards and strategic goals.
This is a senior role for someone who can move confidently between design intent, project delivery, business priorities, and team leadership.
Responsibilities
Project and Design Leadership
- Lead and manage large-scale, high-profile architectural projects from inception to completion.
- Maintain technical design quality, executing extensive drawing/document reviews with a dedicated team.
- Mentor and instruct team members on design requirements, schedules, cost estimates, and more.
- Ensure compliance with project standards and quality management (QA/QC), meeting technical quality, reliability, schedule, and cost requirements.
- Prepare and execute Project Management Plans, including Work Plans, Risk Management Plans, Safety Plans, Quality Plans, and Communications Plans.
- Define and verify project scope with clients, monitoring and controlling changes throughout the project lifecycle.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across design, engineering, and construction.
Operational, Programme, Planning, and Budget Management
- Prepare and manage complex project programs and contracts.
- Manage project budgets, resources, and timelines to meet commercial outcomes.
- Ensure contract terms are followed and manage scope changes effectively.
- Oversee financial and operational strategies to ensure project success.
- Actively lead project planning, resourcing, staffing, supply, and subcontract management.
- Review engineering, construction, and procurement schedules to ensure compliance with project plans.
- Prepare monthly project reports and contribute to stakeholder reporting.
Client Relationships & Business Development
- Represent UNS in communications with clients, sub-contractors, and joint venture partners.
- Elevate UNS by differentiating our work, technology, and client experience.
- Lead business development efforts, including proposal preparation and client presentations.
- Build mutually beneficial internal and external client relationships.
- Foster an inclusive, high-performance culture based on respect and support.
Supervision (if in construction stage)
- Lead the project supervision team to ensure the supervision scope is fully executed, deliverables are submitted on schedule, and client expectations are met.
Job Requirements
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for someone who combines leadership presence with strong delivery experience and sound judgement. The ideal candidate is confident managing complexity, comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders, and able to guide teams toward high-quality outcomes.
Requirements
- Holds a Bachelor's degree in preferably Architecture, Civil Engineering, or otherwise a related engineering discipline from a recognized university (degree must be legally attested for UAE use).
- Has minimum 15 years of relevant professional experience in architectural / engineering consultancy.
- Demonstrated experience in leading Lead Design Consultancy (LDC) roles, managing the full design process across disciplines, and coordinating internal teams, external consultants, clients, and key project stakeholders to ensure alignment, quality delivery, and adherence to programme and commercial objectives.
- Has membership with the UAE Society of Engineers (SOE).
- Has registration with Dubai Municipality as a practicing engineer.
- Has passed the Dubai Municipality technical competency examination, if required.
- Be willing to be formally registered under our Dubai entity as a technical engineer responsible for consultancy activities.
- Have experience leading multidisciplinary design teams and complex projects, consistent with an Associate Project Director role.
- Professional fluency in English.
Preferred Experience
- Experience working on complex regional projects.
- Familiarity with local approval processes and delivery frameworks in Dubai and the wider UAE.
- Experience contributing to bids, proposals, or strategic client development.
- Confidence operating in a senior leadership role within a design practice.
Why UNS
UNS Dubai works across ambitious architecture and design projects in the region, combining strong design thinking with technical rigour and delivery expertise. The studio values collaboration, clarity, and a forward-looking approach to the built environment.
Apply Today
Elevate your career with UNS. Apply now and join a team that's reshaping the future of architecture and design.
