Manager - Special Projects
Posted date [2026-07-07]
(ID: 47654)
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Founded in 1971, ADNOC is a leading diversified energy group, wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi Government. Our network of fully integrated businesses operates across the energy value chain, helping us to responsibly meet the demands of an ever-changing energy market.
Already in the top tier of the lowest carbon intensity oil and gas producers in the world, we are taking significant steps to make today’s energy cleaner while investing in the clean energies of tomorrow, strengthening our position as a reliable and responsible global energy provider. We are allocating an initial $23 billion to advance and accelerate lower-carbon solutions, investing in new energies and decarbonization technologies to enable our net zero by 2045 ambition and our commitment to zero methane emissions by 2030. ... |
Job Description and Requirements
Manager - Special ProjectsJob Snapshot
Role: Manager - Special Projects
Location: Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Oil and Energy
Function: Project-Program Management
Experience: 15 years in project management, transformation, or commercial special projects
Job Type: Full-time
Position Overview
Manager - Special Projects in Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates is an Oil and Energy hiring opportunity for a senior project and transformation leader who can manage Group Commercial Special Projects, improve commercial outcomes, strengthen operational reliability, and support strategic change across ADNOC Group. The role is designed for an experienced professional who can lead special project portfolios, align stakeholders, manage benefits and risks, drive digital enablement, and deliver high-value initiatives that support business performance, integrity, efficiency, and sustainability.
Job Details
Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Abu Dhabi Emirate
Industry: Oil and Energy
Function: Project-Program Management
Salary: 48000-68000
Estimated salary range based on similar
jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer.
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Role Context
The Manager - Special Projects will lead a portfolio of Group Commercial initiatives that sit at the intersection of strategy, transformation, operational reliability, process improvement, and stakeholder delivery. This role helps convert business priorities into structured special projects with clear scope, benefits, governance, resource allocation, risk treatment, and measurable outcomes. The position has direct impact on commercial efficiency, operating model improvement, digital adoption, decision quality, stakeholder alignment, and the organization’s ability to execute complex transformation work with discipline and consistency.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the development and execution of Group Commercial Special Projects aligned with strategic objectives, commercial priorities, and operational performance goals.
* Manage a portfolio of special projects focused on improving commercial outcomes, operational reliability, governance integrity, process efficiency, and service quality.
* Drive transformation initiatives covering process redesign, operating model enhancements, digital enablement, analytics improvement, and new ways of working.
* Define project scope, objectives, delivery approach, business benefits, risk treatment plans, stakeholder requirements, and implementation milestones.
* Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure special project priorities are aligned with organizational goals and measurable value outcomes.
* Foster innovation and continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to improve operational processes, commercial services, reporting, and decision support.
* Ensure effective resource allocation across assigned projects to deliver objectives efficiently and in line with approved standards.
* Lead adoption of new technologies, tools, platforms, and digital solutions that support commercial efficiency and operational excellence.
* Establish and maintain strategic relationships with senior management, division heads, functional experts, vendors, contractors, service providers, and industry partners.
* Translate strategic requirements into practical project plans that can be executed across functions, business units, and Group-level commercial operations.
* Monitor project progress, benefits realization, delivery risks, stakeholder readiness, and implementation quality throughout the project lifecycle.
* Identify risks that may affect project success and ensure mitigation measures are embedded into project planning and delivery.
* Support cross-functional coordination to resolve implementation challenges, remove blockers, and maintain alignment between business priorities and project execution.
* Ensure project activities comply with approved policies, procedures, internal controls, company standards, and relevant international standards.
* Prepare clear updates for senior management covering portfolio status, delivery progress, key risks, resource needs, benefits, and required decisions.
* Plan and supervise department personnel, activities, and resources to achieve division objectives in a cost-conscious and efficient manner.
* Ensure approved operational plans are implemented within the department and converted into practical work programs and performance outcomes.
* Develop employee knowledge, competencies, and innovative thinking within the department through coaching, guidance, and structured capability development.
* Support Personal Development Plans, succession planning, and talent pipeline development in coordination with the Human Capability Group.
* Contribute to UAE National development and Emiratization objectives through knowledge transfer, capability building, and leadership support.
* Compile and provide input for division budget preparation and monitor department expenditure against approved budget levels.
* Investigate, highlight, and reconcile significant budget variances to support financial discipline and cost control.
* Lead implementation of approved department policies, processes, systems, standards, procedures, and internal controls.
* Implement the company performance management system for individuals within the department in accordance with approved guidelines.
* Monitor department KPIs linked to annual performance management contracts, balanced scorecard targets, and agreed service outcomes.
* Review and recommend improvements to the department organization structure to make better use of human capital and support business objectives.
* Incorporate sustainability principles into ongoing work practices, project planning, and operational improvement activities.
* Encourage innovation, employee motivation, and structured change management to improve department operations and services.
* Propose improvements in internal processes using best practices and ISO-aligned standards to resolve operational issues and improve efficiency.
* Support the institution of an HSE culture and ensure department compliance with HSE policies, procedures, controls, legislation, sustainability guidelines, and ADNOC Code of Practices.
* Ensure department employees receive adequate HSE training and induction to meet required company standards.
* Prepare department MIS, portfolio reports, progress updates, project dashboards, and management information to support timely business decisions.
* Engage with local and international vendors, contractors, third-party service providers, and representatives of international oil and gas companies to support successful project delivery.
Ideal Profile
* Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or Project Management.
* Minimum 15 years of experience in project management, commercial operations, transformation, business improvement, or a related field.
* At least 7 years of experience in managerial roles with responsibility for teams, resources, stakeholders, budgets, and project delivery.
* Strong experience managing special projects, transformation portfolios, operating model improvements, process redesign, and digital enablement initiatives.
* Practical understanding of commercial operations, project governance, benefits tracking, resource planning, risk management, and stakeholder alignment.
* Ability to lead complex initiatives across multiple functions, departments, vendors, contractors, and senior stakeholder groups.
* Strong knowledge of project planning, implementation control, performance monitoring, change management, and continuous improvement practices.
* Experience supporting technology adoption, analytics improvement, business efficiency initiatives, and operational excellence programs.
* Strong capability in preparing senior management reports, project dashboards, MIS updates, progress summaries, and decision-support materials.
* Ability to manage departmental budgets, monitor variances, control resources, and support cost-conscious delivery.
* Good understanding of policies, procedures, internal controls, ISO-aligned improvement practices, HSE requirements, and sustainability expectations.
* Strong leadership skills with experience developing employees, supporting succession planning, and building departmental capability.
* Excellent communication, negotiation, facilitation, analytical, problem-solving, and relationship management skills.
* Ability to work in a large Oil and Energy environment where commercial performance, integrity, innovation, and delivery discipline are essential.
Skills Set
* Special projects management
* Project-Program Management
* Commercial transformation
* Strategic project delivery
* Operating model enhancement
* Process redesign
* Digital enablement
* Operational reliability
* Commercial performance improvement
* Portfolio management
* Project governance
* Benefits realization
* Risk treatment
* Stakeholder alignment
* Resource allocation
* Continuous improvement
* Innovation management
* Technology adoption
* Business efficiency
* Operational excellence
* Change management
* Project planning
* Project execution
* Vendor management
* Contractor coordination
* Third-party service provider coordination
* Senior stakeholder management
* MIS reporting
* Project dashboards
* Budget monitoring
* KPI tracking
* Internal controls
* ISO standards
* HSE compliance
* Sustainability practices
* Emiratization support
* Team development
Why Join Us
This role gives a senior project leader the chance to shape high-impact Group Commercial initiatives across a major Oil and Energy organization in Abu Dhabi Emirate. The position offers exposure to strategic transformation, digital enablement, operating model improvement, commercial performance enhancement, and stakeholder-led delivery across a complex energy environment. It is a strong opportunity for a professional who wants to lead meaningful special projects, improve organizational reliability, and support smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable commercial operations.
About the Company
ADNOC Group is a leading diversified energy group wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi Government. Founded in 1971, the company operates across the energy value chain and supports responsible energy production, lower-carbon solutions, and long-term industrial development. ADNOC Group is investing in cleaner energy, decarbonization technologies, operational excellence, and sustainability while maintaining a strong focus on safety, governance, innovation, technical reliability, and responsible energy delivery from Abu Dhabi Emirate to global markets.
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Role Context
The Manager - Special Projects will lead a portfolio of Group Commercial initiatives that sit at the intersection of strategy, transformation, operational reliability, process improvement, and stakeholder delivery. This role helps convert business priorities into structured special projects with clear scope, benefits, governance, resource allocation, risk treatment, and measurable outcomes. The position has direct impact on commercial efficiency, operating model improvement, digital adoption, decision quality, stakeholder alignment, and the organization’s ability to execute complex transformation work with discipline and consistency.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the development and execution of Group Commercial Special Projects aligned with strategic objectives, commercial priorities, and operational performance goals.
* Manage a portfolio of special projects focused on improving commercial outcomes, operational reliability, governance integrity, process efficiency, and service quality.
* Drive transformation initiatives covering process redesign, operating model enhancements, digital enablement, analytics improvement, and new ways of working.
* Define project scope, objectives, delivery approach, business benefits, risk treatment plans, stakeholder requirements, and implementation milestones.
* Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure special project priorities are aligned with organizational goals and measurable value outcomes.
* Foster innovation and continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to improve operational processes, commercial services, reporting, and decision support.
* Ensure effective resource allocation across assigned projects to deliver objectives efficiently and in line with approved standards.
* Lead adoption of new technologies, tools, platforms, and digital solutions that support commercial efficiency and operational excellence.
* Establish and maintain strategic relationships with senior management, division heads, functional experts, vendors, contractors, service providers, and industry partners.
* Translate strategic requirements into practical project plans that can be executed across functions, business units, and Group-level commercial operations.
* Monitor project progress, benefits realization, delivery risks, stakeholder readiness, and implementation quality throughout the project lifecycle.
* Identify risks that may affect project success and ensure mitigation measures are embedded into project planning and delivery.
* Support cross-functional coordination to resolve implementation challenges, remove blockers, and maintain alignment between business priorities and project execution.
* Ensure project activities comply with approved policies, procedures, internal controls, company standards, and relevant international standards.
* Prepare clear updates for senior management covering portfolio status, delivery progress, key risks, resource needs, benefits, and required decisions.
* Plan and supervise department personnel, activities, and resources to achieve division objectives in a cost-conscious and efficient manner.
* Ensure approved operational plans are implemented within the department and converted into practical work programs and performance outcomes.
* Develop employee knowledge, competencies, and innovative thinking within the department through coaching, guidance, and structured capability development.
* Support Personal Development Plans, succession planning, and talent pipeline development in coordination with the Human Capability Group.
* Contribute to UAE National development and Emiratization objectives through knowledge transfer, capability building, and leadership support.
* Compile and provide input for division budget preparation and monitor department expenditure against approved budget levels.
* Investigate, highlight, and reconcile significant budget variances to support financial discipline and cost control.
* Lead implementation of approved department policies, processes, systems, standards, procedures, and internal controls.
* Implement the company performance management system for individuals within the department in accordance with approved guidelines.
* Monitor department KPIs linked to annual performance management contracts, balanced scorecard targets, and agreed service outcomes.
* Review and recommend improvements to the department organization structure to make better use of human capital and support business objectives.
* Incorporate sustainability principles into ongoing work practices, project planning, and operational improvement activities.
* Encourage innovation, employee motivation, and structured change management to improve department operations and services.
* Propose improvements in internal processes using best practices and ISO-aligned standards to resolve operational issues and improve efficiency.
* Support the institution of an HSE culture and ensure department compliance with HSE policies, procedures, controls, legislation, sustainability guidelines, and ADNOC Code of Practices.
* Ensure department employees receive adequate HSE training and induction to meet required company standards.
* Prepare department MIS, portfolio reports, progress updates, project dashboards, and management information to support timely business decisions.
* Engage with local and international vendors, contractors, third-party service providers, and representatives of international oil and gas companies to support successful project delivery.
Ideal Profile
* Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or Project Management.
* Minimum 15 years of experience in project management, commercial operations, transformation, business improvement, or a related field.
* At least 7 years of experience in managerial roles with responsibility for teams, resources, stakeholders, budgets, and project delivery.
* Strong experience managing special projects, transformation portfolios, operating model improvements, process redesign, and digital enablement initiatives.
* Practical understanding of commercial operations, project governance, benefits tracking, resource planning, risk management, and stakeholder alignment.
* Ability to lead complex initiatives across multiple functions, departments, vendors, contractors, and senior stakeholder groups.
* Strong knowledge of project planning, implementation control, performance monitoring, change management, and continuous improvement practices.
* Experience supporting technology adoption, analytics improvement, business efficiency initiatives, and operational excellence programs.
* Strong capability in preparing senior management reports, project dashboards, MIS updates, progress summaries, and decision-support materials.
* Ability to manage departmental budgets, monitor variances, control resources, and support cost-conscious delivery.
* Good understanding of policies, procedures, internal controls, ISO-aligned improvement practices, HSE requirements, and sustainability expectations.
* Strong leadership skills with experience developing employees, supporting succession planning, and building departmental capability.
* Excellent communication, negotiation, facilitation, analytical, problem-solving, and relationship management skills.
* Ability to work in a large Oil and Energy environment where commercial performance, integrity, innovation, and delivery discipline are essential.
Skills Set
* Special projects management
* Project-Program Management
* Commercial transformation
* Strategic project delivery
* Operating model enhancement
* Process redesign
* Digital enablement
* Operational reliability
* Commercial performance improvement
* Portfolio management
* Project governance
* Benefits realization
* Risk treatment
* Stakeholder alignment
* Resource allocation
* Continuous improvement
* Innovation management
* Technology adoption
* Business efficiency
* Operational excellence
* Change management
* Project planning
* Project execution
* Vendor management
* Contractor coordination
* Third-party service provider coordination
* Senior stakeholder management
* MIS reporting
* Project dashboards
* Budget monitoring
* KPI tracking
* Internal controls
* ISO standards
* HSE compliance
* Sustainability practices
* Emiratization support
* Team development
Why Join Us
This role gives a senior project leader the chance to shape high-impact Group Commercial initiatives across a major Oil and Energy organization in Abu Dhabi Emirate. The position offers exposure to strategic transformation, digital enablement, operating model improvement, commercial performance enhancement, and stakeholder-led delivery across a complex energy environment. It is a strong opportunity for a professional who wants to lead meaningful special projects, improve organizational reliability, and support smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable commercial operations.
About the Company
ADNOC Group is a leading diversified energy group wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi Government. Founded in 1971, the company operates across the energy value chain and supports responsible energy production, lower-carbon solutions, and long-term industrial development. ADNOC Group is investing in cleaner energy, decarbonization technologies, operational excellence, and sustainability while maintaining a strong focus on safety, governance, innovation, technical reliability, and responsible energy delivery from Abu Dhabi Emirate to global markets.
