Project Controls Lead

Opportunity Overview

This role is for a Project Controls Lead to support the delivery of major mission-critical data centre developments in Saudi Arabia. The position sits within a fast-growing sector and will focus on building strong project controls across several live projects at once, with close attention to programme management, risk tracking, and senior-level reporting.

The role is suited to a project controls professional who wants to contribute to large-scale, high-pressure developments and help ensure disciplined planning and delivery throughout the full project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Create, update, and oversee integrated project schedules covering design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover.
• Manage project controls across multiple data centre and infrastructure projects in parallel.
• Prepare baseline programmes, look-ahead schedules, recovery plans, and scenario-based programme options.
• Examine contractor, consultant, and supplier schedules to assess sequence, logic links, critical path, and overall schedule quality.
• Spot programme risks early and work with internal and external teams to agree mitigation actions.
• Keep risk registers, issue trackers, action logs, and change control records current and accurate.
• Track programme performance, identify slippage, and escalate threats before they affect milestone delivery.
• Collaborate with commercial and quantity surveying teams so that programme timing aligns with procurement plans, cost forecasts, and cash flow.
• Assist in evaluating variations, claims, and extensions of time from a planning and programme viewpoint.
• Build clear dashboards, progress updates, and executive reports for senior stakeholders.
• Help improve project controls processes, reporting standards, and governance practices.
• Support project teams by promoting planning best practices and effective programme management throughout delivery.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Quantity Surveying, or a closely related field.
• At least 5–8+ years of experience in project controls, planning, or programme controls on major construction or infrastructure projects.
• Background in integrated programmes spanning design, procurement, utilities, construction, and commissioning.
• Prior exposure to data centres, mission-critical facilities, power, airports, hospitals, industrial projects, or large infrastructure schemes.
• Strong knowledge of critical path analysis, scheduling, risk management, change control, and programme reporting.
• Hands-on experience with Primavera P6, MS Project, Excel, and project reporting systems.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, PSP, PMI-SP, or APM are helpful but not mandatory.
• Experience in the Middle East is preferred, though substantial international experience on major projects will also be taken into account.

Additional Information

This opportunity is based in Riyadh or Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Candidates located in Saudi Arabia or the UAE are encouraged to consider the role. The organisation offers long-term growth prospects within an expanding project delivery team, along with a competitive salary and benefits package.

What the Role Offers

• The chance to join a fast-growing organisation delivering landmark data centre projects across Saudi Arabia.
• Involvement in high-value, mission-critical work within one of the world’s fastest-expanding construction sectors.
• Clear potential for long-term career progression in a developing project delivery function.
• A competitive compensation and benefits package.
• A flexible location arrangement for candidates based in Saudi Arabia or the UAE.