COST DIRECTOR BUILDINGS | DUBAI, UAE
About the Role:
A Big 4 international cost consultancy seeks a Cost Director to lead their Buildings practice across UAE and Saudi Arabia. This senior executive position oversees cost management delivery on landmark residential, mixed-use, and hospitality developments valued at AED 30-50B+ combined. You'll manage major client relationships including Emaar, Aldar, Meraas, and PIF portfolios, lead a team of 25-35+ cost professionals, and drive practice growth from AED 35M to AED 60M+ annual revenue. The role carries full P&L responsibility and reports directly to the Regional Managing Director with a seat on the Middle East Leadership Board.
Requirements:
- MRICS Chartered Status with minimum 8 years post-chartership
- 18-20+ years cost consultancy experience with 6-8 years at Director or senior leadership level
- Proven track record on residential, mixed-use, hospitality, and commercial projects valued at AED 1B+
- Big 4 consultancy background essential (Turner & Townsend, AECOM, Currie & Brown, RLB, Mace, Faithful+Gould)
- Strong business development capability with annual wins of AED 10M+ fees
- Experience managing P&L responsibility for practice division with AED 35M+ revenue
- Portfolio of blue-chip clients with C-suite relationship management experience
- Team leadership experience managing 20-40+ cost professionals across multiple offices
- Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying from recognized UK/European/Australian university
Responsibilities:
- Set strategic direction for Buildings practice and drive revenue growth through business development and client acquisition
- Lead cost management delivery across 15-25 concurrent projects with combined values of AED 30-50B+
- Manage relationships with Tier 1 clients and provide strategic cost advice to C-suite executives on multi-billion dirham development programs
- Oversee all pre-contract and post-contract services including feasibility studies, cost planning, procurement, contract administration, and final accounts
- Build, lead, and mentor team of 25-35+ cost management professionals with full P&L accountability
- Ensure technical excellence, quality assurance, and risk management across all commissions
- Lead value engineering workshops and drive innovation in cost management methodologies
- Represent firm at Board level with developers, government entities, and institutional clients
- Recruit senior talent and establish high-performance culture focused on technical excellence and client service
- Maintain client portfolio generating AED 15-25M+ annual fees with 85%+ repeat business rate
