Technical Project Manager

Our client is a global innovator driving advancements in AI models, streaming technologies, and virtual visualization. They spearheaded the immersive virtual experience for Expo 2020 Dubai, earning multiple awards and captivating over 250 million virtual visitors. Join this industry leader and be part of a team creating groundbreaking smart city solutions and digital platforms.

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Technical Project Manager to coordinate, plan, and execute complex projects within the organization ranging from large-scale initiatives to smaller research and proof-of-concept (POC) efforts. This role involves strategic oversight of project portfolios as well as hands-on operational management to ensure high-quality, timely, and cost-effective delivery. The ideal candidate will combine strong leadership skills, technical knowledge, and a track record of successfully managing cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.

Work Location: Ideally office based in Dubai Expo City, but flexible to consider remote working

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Responsibilities

• Work with senior leadership to define project objectives, scope, and success criteria that align with overall business goals.
• Create and maintain a comprehensive project roadmap, ensuring that initiatives whether full-scale projects or POCs are prioritized based on strategic relevance and resource availability.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with executive stakeholders and cross-functional teams to communicate project timelines, risks, and key deliverables.
• Serve as the point of contact for escalations, ensuring alignment between project outcomes and organizational strategy.

Budget & Resource Planning

• Develop budget plans and secure necessary resources to achieve project milestones.
• Forecast resource needs and allocate them effectively to balance project load across multiple initiatives, including research, smaller POCs, and product-scale projects.
• Identify, analyze, and mitigate risks that could impact project success.
• Ensure projects both large and small adhere to regulatory, security, and compliance requirements, providing oversight and governance as needed.

Operational Responsibilities

Project Execution & Delivery

• Oversee day-to-day project activities, including planning sprints, tracking progress, and coordinating team deliverables.
• Ensure milestones are met on time, within budget, and to the desired quality standards, whether for research prototypes or production-ready solutions.

Technical Coordination

• Work closely with engineering, research, and R&D teams to translate project requirements into detailed technical tasks.
• Facilitate design reviews, architecture discussions, and code reviews to ensure alignment with project goals and technical feasibility.

Research & Prototyping Management

• Coordinate and support smaller POCs and conceptual prototyping efforts, ensuring they receive adequate resources and clear objectives.
• Collaborate with R&D teams to validate new ideas, assess feasibility, and gather data-driven insights for future product development.

Process Optimization

• Implement and refine project management methodologies, including Agile, Scrum, or Kanban, to increase team efficiency and flexibility.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by analyzing project performance data and adapting processes accordingly.
• Lead cross-functional teams, setting clear expectations and promoting a collaborative, results-driven culture.
• Coach and mentor team members, providing guidance on best practices and professional development especially critical in R&D and prototyping settings.

Reporting & Documentation

• Maintain up-to-date project documentation, including status reports, project plans, and risk registers.
• Provide timely and clear reporting to stakeholders on project progress, issues, and recommended actions.
• Compile findings from research and POC projects, ensuring knowledge is captured for future reference and potential scalability.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, or related field.

Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in project management, with a preference for complex engineering or software development initiatives.
• Proven track record of successfully leading cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, R&D-focused, or startup environment.
• Proficiency with Agile/Scrum methodologies and project management tools (e.g., Jira, Trello, MS Project).
• Strong understanding of technical concepts (software architectures, hardware, cloud, etc.) to effectively engage with engineering and research teams.
• Demonstrable experience managing budgets, resources, and vendor relationships.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.

Preferred Skills & Attributes:

• Certification: PMP, Scrum Master, or equivalent.
• Familiarity with emerging technologies in AI, IoT, computer vision, or other advanced R&D domains.
• Analytical Mindset: Ability to break down complex problems, identify root causes, and propose effective solutions.
• Comfortable working in a startup or research environment, adaptable to changing priorities and open-ended projects.

What They Offer:

• Be part of a globally recognized team delivering award-winning platforms and solutions.
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment focused on innovation and excellence.
• Opportunity to work on impactful projects that redefine the future of technology.
• Career growth and development opportunities within a forward-thinking organization.

If you're ready to lead challenging and impactful projects while collaborating with some of the brightest minds in the industry, we want to hear from you!