KEO is a creative enterprise, where innovation is a way of life. We are uniquely resourced with end-to-end services to take clients from inspiration – through conceptualization – to realization of planning, design or project delivery in the built and natural environments. For over 60 years we’ve led with vision, contributing to many of the world’s most ambitious projects, iconic places, remarkable experiences and prosperous communities.

As a highly integrated and agile AEP/PMCM firm, KEO is recognized by ENR as one of the Top 225 International Design Firms and one of the Top 20 International PM/CM Firms. We are also ranked by World Architecture as the 51^st largest global architecture firm and the #1 Firm in the Middle East Region in their 2024 WA100 Survey.

We invite you to join us. Why?

When you join KEO, you’ll discover more than just a job – you’ll find a supportive environment that fosters your professional development through internal global mobility and career development and does so within a culture that supports company-wide health and well-being through on-demand counselling services and regular workplace clinics. You will be invited to celebrate community events such as sports days, fun-runs, in-house sports teams and beach clean ups. In addition to your competitive package and benefits you will have access to a suite of policies that include hybrid working arrangements, individual athletic sponsorship, study assistance sponsorship, employee referral rewards.

Our newest opportunity is for a talented Director - Smart Cities & Infrastructure to join our award-winning team based in Dubai, UAE. 

Smart Cities Lead within KEO focusing on Infrastructure, should be a recognised Expert in Smart Cities Automation and in particular, Smart Infrastructure and Smart Development. Provides leadership and management of KEO’s resources for a Smart Cities and Smart Infrastructure unit and ensures that the set financial and operational plans and strategies are met. Responsible for coordinating business development initiatives, QMS implementation and ensure technical delivery of the highest quality within the unit. Also responsible, in partnership with the technical leaders, for technical resource planning, recruiting and management to ensure that the technical capabilities of the unit meet current and future project needs. Will also be a member of the Division’s management team with shared responsibility for setting and implementing the business’ strategic goals and direction.

• Provides input to the Infrastructure Division’s global and business strategies and performance targets.
• Prepare an annual business plan for the unit.
• Responsible for achieving the overall operational and financial strategy and performance targets of the unit.
• Ensures that QMS is effectively implemented.
• Oversees contract negotiations, management of variation orders, disputes and claims.
• Represents the Firm in communications with the Client, Sub-Contractors and JV partners, serving as ambassador for the KEO brand.
• Seek to identify potential new clients, markets, and projects. Cultivate client relationships, prepare proposals, and contribute to the growth of the infrastructure projects portfolio in the regional area.
• Continually assesses technical skills versus needs and implements measures to ensure optimal technical capability of the regional team.
• Seek constant improvement and application of the latest technology and tools with the technical workflow. Stay current with industry trends and best practices in infrastructure engineering, Artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and Information & Communication Technologies.
• Drives performance through leading a team of professional employees towards achievement of strategic objectives.
• Analyses existing work processes, procedures and systems, identifying opportunities for increased efficiencies cost-effectiveness and service improvements.
• Coordinates monthly reporting and project reviews.
• Oversees all project execution and contractual matters within the branch, in consultation with project leaders and technical leaders.
• In partnership with the relevant team leaders, assists in hiring and training of staff.
• Creates a culture of effective communication, consultation, and collaboration within the regional team, and with other KEO divisions. Foster a collaborative and innovative team environment, encouraging professional development and knowledge sharing.
• Represents senior KEO leadership to regional team, regularly communicating messages that motivate, inform and energise the team.
• Creates a culture of learning consistent with corporate objectives and values.
• Identifies appropriate solutions to complex issues by applying strategic management tools.
• Defines and ensures execution of business strategies to optimise the performance of the business unit in terms of delivery to the Client and quality standards in all work outputs.
• Creates a continuous focus on health and safety and sustainable development in all aspects of delivery and ensures the provision of a safe and healthy work environment.
• Provides formal supervision to individual employees within a single functional or operational area. Plans and monitors appropriate staffing levels and utilisation of labour. 
• Prepares and delivers performance appraisals for staff. Mentors and coaches team members to further develop competencies.  Responsible for identifying training needs, tracking performance, coaching/development and motivating direct reports. Responsible for hiring, terminating, compensation and performance evaluation. 
• Has proven record of leading Smart Cities projects and engagement of such solutions within infrastructure projects. Have working knowledge of intelligent traffic systems, smart lighting systems, smart CCTV systems, networking and communication protocols between different platforms.
• Can advise and develop strategies for communication networks with interconnected devices and sensors, monitoring and control systems. Can advise and develop strategies for advanced visualizations, analytics and mobility, both with open protocols and proprietary systems.
• Excellent knowledge of design, production, construction techniques, procedures, industry codes and standards.
• Ability to analyse markets and develop credible operational and marketing strategies.
• Highly developed knowledge of statutory and commercial frameworks with the ability to analyse and interpret financial data, prepare and control budgets, and manage contracts and invoices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive issues.
• Ability to write reports, manuals, speeches and presentations using a distinctive style.
• Ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on complex topics to employees, clients, top management and/or public groups.
• Ability to effectively plan, lead, organize and optimize the performance of teams, including across multiple locations.
• Proven experience in developing strategic solutions, with expert-level analytical and quantitative skills.
• Ability to develop collaborative relationships across the firm, with clients and other key stakeholders, to achieve business results and improve client outcomes.

To be successful in this dynamic opportunity, we envision that your career journey to date will include a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, ICT/Network Engineering or other Infrastructure or Smart Cities related major with at least 20 years relevant experience. Masters preferred. Professional registration e.g. Chartered Engineer (UK) or PE (USA). PMP certification.  Full (Corporate) Membership of an Internationally recognized professional Institution i.e. C. Eng. M.I.C.E. or P.E.) PMP Certification would be advantageous.

• Proven record of leading Smart Cities projects and engagement of such solutions within infrastructure projects, working knowledge of intelligent traffic systems, smart lighting systems, smart CCTV systems, networking and communication protocols between different platforms.
• Can advise and develop strategies for communication networks with interconnected devices and sensors, monitoring and control systems. Can advise and develop strategies for advanced visualizations, analytics and mobility, both with open protocols and proprietary systems.
• Excellent knowledge of design, production, construction techniques, procedures, industry codes and standards.
• Ability to analyse markets and develop credible operational and marketing strategies.
• Highly developed knowledge of statutory and commercial frameworks with the ability to analyse and interpret financial data, prepare and control budgets, and manage contracts and invoices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive issues.
• Ability to write reports, manuals, speeches and presentations using a distinctive style.
• Ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on complex topics to employees, clients, top management and/or public groups.
• Ability to effectively plan, lead, organize and optimize the performance of teams, including across multiple locations.
• Proven experience in developing strategic solutions, with expert-level analytical and quantitative skills.
• Ability to develop collaborative relationships across the firm, with clients and other key stakeholders, to achieve business results and improve client outcomes
• Requires in-depth knowledge of financial terms and principles.
• Ability to calculate complex figures.
• Ability to forecast and prepare budgets.
• Conducts financial/business analysis including the preparation of reports.
• Demonstrates ability as a Project Director or Project Manager
• Experienced with contract negotiation and contract management.
• Proven experience in leading and managing multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• In-depth knowledge of infrastructure design practices.
• In-depth Knowledge of networking & ICT.
• Proven business development and work-winning experience.

KEO’s performance is founded upon integrity, results, innovation, safety and our people. We embrace diversity and recognize its’ contribution to client success wherever we work.

We are excited to hear how you can partner with our award-winning team and treat all expressions of interest confidentially.