Job Description

AtkinsRéalis is looking for an Associate Director - Director of Budgeting and Cost Controls, in Al Ula.

About AtkinsRéalis

Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-class engineering services and nuclear company dedicated to engineering a better future for our planet and its people. We create sustainable solutions that connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. We deploy global capabilities locally to our clients and deliver unique end-to-end services across the whole life cycle of an asset including consulting, advisory & environmental services, intelligent networks & cybersecurity, design & engineering, procurement, project & construction management, operations & maintenance, decommissioning and capital. The breadth and depth of our capabilities are delivered to clients in strategic sectors such as Engineering Services, Nuclear and Capital. News and information are available at www.atkinsrealis.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Learn more about our career opportunities at: https://careers.atkinsrealis.com

The Director of Budgeting and Cost Controls is a pivotal role responsible for leading comprehensive financial planning, budgeting, and cost control strategies across a complex, multi-asset development portfolio, including residential, retail, office, mixed-use, hospitality, F&B, public works, and infrastructure. This position will drive financial discipline through advanced estimating, cost benchmarking, and regional adjustments, establishing robust preliminary and detailed project budgets. The Director will partner closely with Real Estate Development, Development, and Commercial teams to provide rigorous financial oversight and guide projects from feasibility through final tender. This role is also accountable for optimizing internal budgeting and cost-control processes, managing external cost consultants, and building a high-performing competency in cost management across the organization.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Budget Development and Financial Leadership:

• Lead high-level estimating, utilizing Gross Floor Area (GFA) data and comprehensive market benchmarks to create accurate, strategic budget forecasts.
• Establish, manage, and refine level 3 preliminary budgets and detailed project budgets, enforcing strong financial controls throughout the project lifecycle.
• Partner strategically with Real Estate Development for feasibility budgeting, offering expert financial analyses to guide go/no-go project decisions.
• Collaborate closely with the Development and Commercial teams to finalize project feasibility estimates and set competitive tender targets that enhance project profitability.

Advanced Cost Tracking, Analysis, and Control:

• Implement and manage an advanced cost control framework across all projects, meticulously tracking budget deviations and documenting corrective actions.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of cost variances, uncovering trends, risks, and root causes to drive continuous improvement in budget forecasting and financial planning.
• Ensure financial compliance and accountability by enforcing strict budget limits, mitigating potential cost overruns, and optimizing resource allocations to protect project profitability.

Financial Reporting and Strategic Analysis:

• Develop and deliver comprehensive budget reports for senior leadership, including variance analysis, strategic insights, and financial forecasts to inform high-level decision-making.
• Lead strategic financial analysis on budget performance, identifying opportunities for cost optimization, and enhancing portfolio-wide financial resilience.
• Elevate financial transparency by establishing advanced reporting structures that deliver real-time insights into project financials for stakeholders.

External Consultant Management and Quality Assurance:

• Oversee the selection, engagement, and performance of external cost consultants, ensuring compliance with company standards and alignment with financial objectives.
• Conduct rigorous performance evaluations for consultants, holding them accountable for budget accuracy, cost forecasting, and alignment with project financial expectations.

Process Optimization and Benchmarking Excellence:

• Establish internal cost benchmarks and performance metrics across project types and regions, ensuring alignment with market standards and regional economic factors.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives to elevate budgeting and cost control processes, implementing industry best practices to strengthen accuracy, efficiency, and financial oversight.
• Build a core competency in budgeting and cost control, fostering knowledge-sharing and skill-building across the organization to promote a culture of financial excellence.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Strategic Stakeholder Engagement:

• Serve as a key financial advisor to internal stakeholders, including Development, Real Estate
• Development, and Commercial teams, ensuring that budgeting objectives support both project-specific and organizational goals.
• Actively engage with senior management, providing insights, recommendations, and strategic guidance to support long-term planning, resource allocation, and project prioritization.
• Foster cross-functional alignment, enhancing collaboration among departments to achieve unified budget management, cost control, and financial performance objectives.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or a related field.
• A Master's degree or professional certification (e.g., CFA, RICS, PMP) is strongly preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in budgeting, cost control, or financial planning, with at least 5 years in a senior role within the real estate development or construction industry.

Skills:

• Expertise in high-level estimating and budgeting on a GFA basis, with demonstrated capability in managing and optimizing complex, large-scale project budgets.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with deep knowledge of cost drivers, construction economics, and the ability to interpret financial data to drive strategic decisions.
• Extensive experience in managing and assessing external consultants, ensuring alignment with financial objectives and budget integrity.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven track record of cross-functional collaboration and effective stakeholder management.
• Advanced proficiency in financial software, budgeting tools, and MS Excel, with the ability to leverage technology for enhanced financial reporting and analysis.

Competencies:

Analytical Acumen: Ability to interpret complex financial data and extract actionable insights that enhance budgeting and cost control effectiveness.

Strategic Financial Leadership: Deep expertise in budgeting, estimating, and cost control within construction and development, with the ability to balance financial discipline with project goals.

Attention to Detail: Strong focus on precision and accuracy in budgeting, cost tracking, and variance identification to maintain high standards of financial rigor.

Stakeholder Engagement: Proficient in building and nurturing cross-functional relationships, ensuring alignment with financial and project objectives.

Proactive Problem Solving: Skilled in identifying financial risks early and implementing timely solutions to address budget deviations and cost challenges.

Why choose AtkinsRéalis?

• Tax-free salary.
• Life insurance coverage.
• Comprehensive medical insurance coverage.
• Paid Annual leave.
• Company gratuity scheme.
• Discretionary bonus program.
• Annual flight contribution.
• Relocation assistance.
• Transportation & housing allowances.
• Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, as well as personal health, fitness, and nutrition consulting.

Your difference makes a difference. We care for our people and are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where you can thrive and build a future you want to be a part of.

AtkinsRéalis is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst our workforces. We aim to provide quality and fairness for all job applicants and employees and not to discriminate on grounds of gender, marital status, age, race, ethnic origin, religious conviction, or disablement. We oppose all forms of unlawful treatment and discrimination.

Our aim is for the company to be representative of all sections of society and that each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are committed to a policy of treating all our employees and job applications equally.

We pursue this commitment by:

• Having clear and concise procedures and guidelines for both line managers and employees to ensure policies are fully understood and implemented.
• Complying with the relevant employment legislation and codes of practice.
• Ensuring that all existing employees, potential employees, colleagues, and customers are treated equally and with respect.

Worker Type

Employee

Job Type

Regular

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.