Head of Project Control

The role

The Head of Project Controls provides strategic leadership, governance, and functional management of the Project Controls function across the assigned business grouping. The role is responsible for establishing the functional strategy, ensuring compliance with corporate standards, developing organizational capability, driving continuous improvement, and enabling consistent project delivery excellence.

Our clients and projects

Designing the future. Transforming the world.

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. We have experienced teams, a proven delivery model and a strong reputation.

We are the market-leading provider of integrated and innovative solutions that challenge the status quo in the oil and gas upstream and midstream, onshore and offshore, gas to liquids and decarbonization and electrification markets. We pride ourselves in steady and predictable delivery, setting our sights on an exciting growth trajectory.

Energy security, transition and supply have never been more important. You, our enabling teams, are at the very forefront of transformative projects that are providing sustainable power to generations to come. We are the ones to bring low-carbon concepts to reality.

What we can offer

Meaningful and interesting projects: delivered to high profile clients across the energy sector

Commitment to diversity and inclusion: we are an organization actively committed to diversity and inclusion across our business

Competitive remuneration package: with regular reviews to ensure we are rewarding at the right level in line with the market

Medical insurance: ensures inpatient and outpatient medical care is available should you require treatment

Group life and personal accident insurance: the company provides life assurance cover

End of service gratuity: in line with UAE labor law, all employees are eligible for an end of service benefit

The employee share plan: gives you the opportunity to purchase Wood shares and receive a match from the company

Long service award: Wood values the commitment and loyalty of our people. Celebrating long service provides an opportunity for the business to demonstrate their appreciation of the hard work, dedication and many years’ services of our employees at 5-year service milestones

Commitment to continued professional development: development plans that are tailored to your individual needs and interests

Global connections: join experts around the world who are at the leading edge of our industry, shaping the standards of our profession

Energy Transition Academy: join a community of experts sharing your knowledge and gaining more exposure to a variety of existing and emerging energy systems - delivered by experts in their field

Job objective

The Head of Project Controls provides strategic leadership, governance, and functional management of the Project Controls function across the assigned business grouping. The role is responsible for establishing the functional strategy, ensuring compliance with corporate standards, developing organizational capability, driving continuous improvement, and enabling consistent project delivery excellence.

Client & stakeholder management

Act as the primary Project Controls focal point for the 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

Progress

Report overall project status and key performance indicators (KPIs) to management.

Project planning & scheduling

Develop the project work breakdown structure (WBS).

Lead the implementation of planning and cost control structures aligned to the WBS.

Ensure delivery and ongoing maintenance of:

Fully resourced schedules

Logic-linked Gantt charts

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

CTR (Cost Time Resource) packages

Cost management

Oversee project work approval processes, ensuring:

Correct cost code allocation

Initial budget setup

Required approvals

Manage project budgets through:

Cost monitoring

Forecasting

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

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

KPIs

Accountable for the accuracy and timely issuance of:

S-Curves

Resource histograms

Project dashboards

Performance reports

Change management

Manage the project change management process.

Ensure timely preparation and issuance of:

Change orders

Variations

Contract change notifications

Assess the impact of all change requests on:

Budget

Schedule

Resources

Promote compliance with the Project Change Management System.

Facilitate change management assurance activities.

Risk management

Lead cost and schedule risk analysis workshops with both project teams and clients.

Ensure project risks are:

Identified

Assessed

Monitored

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

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

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

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

The successful candidate should possess:

Minimum ISCED Level 6 (Bachelor's Degree) in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent professional experience.

ISCED Level 7 (Master's Degree) preferred.

Knowledge, skills & experience

Technical expertise

Advanced expertise across all Project Controls disciplines, including:

Planning & scheduling

Cost control

Estimating

Change control

Risk analysis

Extensive industry experience in Project Controls leadership.

Strong experience managing multidisciplinary Project Controls teams.

Project management

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.

Leadership

Proven ability to:

Drive organizational performance

Influence change

Lead transformation initiatives

Deliver business improvements

Personal attributes

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

Strategic leadership: strategic mindset with the ability to translate long-term objectives into practical execution plans.

Collaboration: collaborative leadership style. Culturally aware and inclusive. Values diversity and fosters teamwork.

Communication & influence: strong communication and stakeholder management skills. Ability to influence, inspire, and drive behavioural change across all organizational levels.

Problem solving: strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Applies sound professional judgement to resolve complex issues.

Coaching & development: skilled coach and mentor. Provides constructive developmental feedback to build capability across the Project Controls function.

Values & behaviours

Demonstrates and promotes Wood's vision, values, and behaviours through leadership and decision-making.

Diversity statement

We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to the following (which is a non-exhaustive list): race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.