Head of Project Controls - MEAC

Role Overview

Head of Project Controls - MEAC at Wood PLC. This role provides strategic leadership, governance, and functional management of the Project Controls function across the assigned Business Grouping.

Company Overview

Wood's Oil, Gas & New Energies business is built on a strong legacy of delivering large and complex projects for national and international energy companies across the globe. The company is the market-leading provider of integrated and innovative solutions in the oil and gas upstream and midstream, onshore and offshore, gas to liquids and decarbonization and electrification markets, known for steady and predictable delivery.

Role Purpose

Establish the functional strategy, ensure compliance with corporate standards, develop organizational capability, drive continuous improvement, and enable consistent project delivery excellence across Project Controls disciplines.

Key Responsibilities

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary Project Controls focal point for client and contractor Project Controls teams.
• Ensure alignment with client reporting requirements.
• Deliver timely, accurate, and consistent cost and progress reporting.
• Establish and maintain effective communication interfaces for cost, planning, scheduling, and risk management activities.
• Chair regular internal and client Project Controls meetings covering cost, schedule, and progress.
• Report overall project status and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to management.

Project Planning & Scheduling

• Develop the Project Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
• Lead implementation of planning and cost control structures aligned to the WBS.
• Ensure delivery and ongoing maintenance of fully resourced schedules, logic-linked Gantt charts, and preferred planning software requirements.
• Monitor project progress against the approved baseline.
• Track achievement of major milestones and analyze deviations.
• Identify, monitor, and report on the project critical path.
• Provide early warning of schedule slippages or float erosion.
• Lead schedule recovery planning following delays.
• Oversee preparation of execution schedules and CTR (Cost Time Resource) packages.

Cost Management

• Oversee project work approval processes, ensuring correct cost code allocation, initial budget setup, and required approvals.
• Manage project budgets through cost monitoring, forecasting, and budget control.
• Ensure all approved changes are reflected in project budgets and schedules.
• Review contractual obligations to ensure cost control activities comply with client requirements and contract conditions.
• Incorporate subcontractor performance impacts into overall project cost reporting.

Progress Monitoring & Reporting

• Monitor overall project performance against approved plans.
• Analyze current performance and forecast future outcomes.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of cost, progress, schedule, forecasts, and KPIs.
• Own the accuracy and timely issuance of S-Curves, resource histograms, project dashboards, and performance reports.

Change Management

• Manage the project change management process.
• Ensure timely preparation and issuance of change orders, variations, and contract change notifications.
• Assess the impact of all change requests on budget, schedule, and resources.
• Promote compliance with the Project Change Management System.
• Facilitate change management assurance activities.

Risk Management

• Lead cost and schedule risk analysis workshops with project teams and clients.
• Ensure project risks are identified, assessed, monitored, and reported.
• Ensure risk management aligns with company standards and project procedures.

Governance & Project Controls Assurance

• Ensure Project Controls processes and procedures are established, maintained, understood by the project team, and consistently applied.
• Ensure all project-specific Project Controls systems and tools are fully implemented and functioning effectively.
• Review and approve all cost, planning, scheduling, and risk deliverables before issue.
• Ensure project execution meets quality requirements, schedule commitments, and budget objectives.

Resource Planning

• Provide analysis of current and future project resource requirements.
• Advise the Project Manager on workforce planning and resource optimization.
• Ensure project schedules remain fully resource-loaded and accurately reflect project execution requirements.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, manage, and develop the Project Controls team.
• Allocate workload effectively across team members.
• Monitor team performance and provide coaching, mentoring, and constructive feedback.
• Foster a collaborative team environment that promotes communication, teamwork, and high performance.
• Motivate the team to achieve project objectives.

Continuous Improvement

• Capture and document lessons learned throughout the project lifecycle.
• Implement improvement initiatives to enhance Project Controls processes, systems, and delivery performance.
• Promote best practices and continuous improvement across the Project Controls function.

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Minimum ISCED Level 6 (Bachelor's Degree) in a relevant Engineering discipline or equivalent professional experience.
• ISCED Level 7 (Master's Degree) preferred.

Technical Expertise

• Advanced expertise across all Project Controls disciplines, including Planning & Scheduling, Cost Control, Estimating, Change Control, and Risk Analysis.
• Extensive industry experience in Project Controls leadership.
• Strong experience managing multidisciplinary Project Controls teams.
• Excellent understanding of Project Management principles and methodologies.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Project Controls processes and best practices.
• Experience supporting engineering and construction projects.

Systems & Technology

• Proficient in both manual and computerized Project Controls systems and business applications.
• Experience implementing and optimizing Project Controls digital tools.

Skills & Competencies

Strategic Leadership

• Strategic mindset with the ability to translate long-term objectives into practical execution plans.
• Proven ability to drive organizational performance, influence change, lead transformation initiatives, and deliver business improvements.

Leadership & Influence

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence, inspire, and drive behavioural change across all organizational levels.
• Collaborative leadership style.
• Culturally aware and inclusive.
• Value diversity and foster teamwork.

Problem Solving & Coaching

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Apply sound professional judgement to resolve complex issues.
• Skilled coach and mentor.
• Provide constructive developmental feedback to build capability across the Project Controls function.

Values & Behaviours

• Demonstrate and promote Wood's Vision, Values, and Behaviours through leadership and decision-making.

Additional Information

Benefits

• Meaningful and interesting projects delivered to high-profile clients across the Energy Sector.
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion through active promotion across the business.
• Competitive remuneration package with regular reviews to ensure market-aligned rewards.
• Medical Insurance covering inpatient and outpatient medical care.
• Group Life and Personal Accident Insurance providing Life Assurance cover.
• End of Service Gratuity in line with UAE Labor Law.
• Employee Share Plan offering the opportunity to purchase Wood shares with company match.
• Long Service Award celebrating commitment and loyalty at 5-year service milestones.
• Tailored development plans committed to continued professional development.
• Global connections joining experts around the world shaping industry standards.
• Energy Transition Academy providing access to a community of experts sharing knowledge across existing and emerging energy systems.