Associate Director - Advisory and Transformation

Job Snapshot:
Role:
Associate Director
- Advisory and Transformation |

Location:

Abu Dhabi, UAE | Industry: Management Consulting | Function:
Management Consultant |

Experience:

15 years | Job Type: Full Time | Work Arrangement:
On-site

AECOM is seeking an Associate Director
- Advisory and Transformation in Abu Dhabi, UAE to lead complex advisory and organisational transformation engagements across the UAE and wider Middle East. The role combines strategy, target operating model design, governance, organisational capability, implementation, and client leadership. It requires an experienced consulting professional who can advise senior executives and government stakeholders while translating strategic priorities into practical and measurable transformation outcomes.

This position sits at the intersection of strategic advisory and implementation. The Associate Director will lead client engagements from initial problem definition through solution design and delivery, helping organisations establish future-state ambitions, improve performance, strengthen capabilities, and implement strategic priorities. The role is designed for a leader who can move beyond recommendations to help clients establish operating models, governance arrangements, organisational structures, and practical transformation roadmaps.

Country: UAE | City:
Abu Dhabi | Industry: Management Consulting | Salary:
Not disclosed | Gender: No Preference | Candidate Nationality:
Not specified | Job Type: Full Time | Work Arrangement:
On-site

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior executives and government leaders.
• Lead strategic discussions to understand organisational challenges, opportunities, and objectives.
• Facilitate executive workshops, stakeholder engagement activities, and decision-making forums.
• Translate complex analysis into clear recommendations and actionable implementation plans.
• Develop and maintain long-term relationships with senior client stakeholders.
• Guide clients through organisational change and implementation activities.

• Lead strategy, transformation, and organisational improvement engagements.
• Design capability-led target operating models aligned with organisational objectives.
• Develop governance, performance, and accountability frameworks.
• Lead organisation design and business architecture initiatives.
• Develop transformation roadmaps that connect strategic ambition with practical delivery.
• Help clients establish the organisational capabilities required to support future priorities.
• Ensure project outputs provide measurable value and meet expected quality standards.

The Associate Director will advise organisations involved in major infrastructure, transport, mobility, utilities, energy, and development programmes. The work includes supporting organisational readiness and capability development associated with significant investments and transformation initiatives. The position requires the ability to connect organisational transformation with programme delivery objectives and work alongside multidisciplinary teams to develop integrated solutions spanning people, processes, technology, governance, and delivery.

• Contribute to proposals, bids, and client pursuits.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships.
• Support regional business development and market growth objectives.
• Contribute to the development of advisory methodologies and propositions.
• Apply strong commercial awareness when developing and maintaining client relationships.

• Lead and develop high-performing consulting teams.
• Coach and mentor consultants and managers.
• Promote collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Support recruitment and professional capability development.
• Manage project resourcing and team requirements.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams and multiple work streams across complex engagements.

Success in this position means helping clients define strategic direction, establish sustainable operating models, strengthen governance and accountability, and develop organisational capabilities that support future requirements. The Associate Director will also help organisations improve operational performance and service delivery, implement transformation and organisational change, realise value from major investment and…