Project Manager - Trainee

Live your potential with DFS Aviation Services

We are a part of the DFS Group, one of the largest air navigation service providers in the world. We focus on the provision of air navigation services and the sale of software solutions, consulting, training services to airports and air navigation service providers worldwide. As a modern aviation company, we guarantee the perfect mix of proven experience and progressive ideas. High quality standards are just as much part of our philosophy as a lean organization, international networking and honest ambitions. We offer our employees and associates challenging and creative jobs with one of the most secure and attractive employers in Germany, in one of the most exciting industries.

Discover What's Possible

In partnership with dans, DFS Aviation Services is looking for a Project Manager - Trainee to join our team in Dubai, whereby they will be responsible for supporting project management activities. This role is designed for a young UAE National who is a fresh graduate and/or has very limited practical experience. The Project Manager - Trainee will go through extensive training within the department which will prepare him/her to carry out the full duties of the Project Manager role. An ideal candidate is a proactive and adaptable professional with strong communication and teamwork skills, who is well-organized, resilient, and customer-oriented, with the ability to embrace innovation, manage priorities effectively, and maintain a high level of attention to detail.

This role will be with Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans), based at Dubai International Airport (DXB) or Maktoum International Airport (DWC) depending on operational requirements. Dans provides air navigation services at four airports in the UAE, one of which is the world's busiest airport for international passengers, where their mission is to empower and develop all their people in delivering world-leading air navigation services that exceed every standard, assure their customers, and shape global innovation.

Your Responsibilities

• Ensure dans portfolio is managed efficiently in accordance with the Department of Finance regulations, dans finance and budget policies, and the department’s policies and procedures to meet end user requirements.
• Provide portfolio performance analysis and reporting against the achievement of strategic & project objectives and the associated benefits, including highlighting issues, risks and opportunities to the Head of Portfolio & Stakeholder Management department, project sponsors and other stakeholders.
• Manage the development and implementation of the project plan, including the provision of project tasks, responsibilities, timescales, dependencies, resource and manpower estimates in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Manage the project procurement process, including the tendering, evaluation and selection activities.
• Develop and deliver progress reports, project management documentation, presentations etc. as required to effectively manage the project.
• Address project management needs and advise them on major portfolio risks / issues to ensure that dans projects/portfolio benefits are realized effectively and on schedule.
• Ensure projects are approved and implemented that bring the optimum return on investment for dans and stakeholders’ budgets supported by a cost benefit analysis.
• Ensure the required governance is applied to projects in dans portfolio.
• Manage project approval documentation/requests in accordance with departmental procedures and presented to the Projects Management Committee (PMC) by the respective project sponsors and/or VP of division. This includes support to the sponsor in capturing the cost benefit analysis, feasibility and options studies, project scope, goals, constraints, risks and deliverables to support business strategy and objectives.
• Proactive identification and management of project risks (threats and opportunities), including managing the implementation of risk mitigation activities and contingency plans. Contribution to the management of the Portfolio Risk Register ensuring timely escalation of the risks with effective proposed mitigation actions to the Project Management Committee.
• Lead the project team members to execute the project in accordance with the project management plan.
• Represent and demonstrate the status & performance of the project in order to secure successful gate review outcomes.
• Manage project schedules and communicate any deviations to the project sponsor, project team and other stakeholders as necessary.
• Apply the Project Change Management process, including co-ordinating the impact assessment, identification of options and presenting recommendations.
• Conduct Lessons Learned Reviews.
• Upon project completion, coordinate the Benefits Realisation Report from the end-user to ensure intended project benefits are measured and achieved.
• Collaborate with the Safety and Security division to obtain the required to comply with the GCAA and DCAA regulations.
• Coach, mentor, motivate and supervise project team members and contractors.
• Communicate and manage project expectations to project team members and stakeholders in a timely and clear fashion.
• The Trainee will be trained to support the business to effectively commercialize its services. This will implement commercialization capability including structured governance practices together with efficient commercial policies and procedures.
• Continuous awareness of the industry and project management best practices.
• Development, implementation and continuous review & improvement of the Portfolio & Stakeholder Management Department’s policies, procedures, templates and practices in accordance with international standards and best industry practices.

Your Qualifications

• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.
• A bachelor’s degree in engineering.
• Computer literacy.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Attention to details and analytical skills.

What you get

• A competitive salary package, that is excellent compared to industry standards.
• An annual airfare allowance to visit your family and friends at home, contribution to your children's school costs, excellent medical insurance coverage for all our employees and life insurance.
• Work life balance based on fair, transparent and employee-friendly shift models, working hours and a generous leave entitlement.
• Corporate culture which is characterized by professionalism, which has focused on staff and client needs for decades.

Working @ DAS

Working at DFS Aviation Services means working in a diverse and dynamic team of professionals being passionate about advancing aviation safety and efficiency. Since 2017, the #DASTeam has grown to over 400 team members participating in various air traffic management projects at 17 locations in 6 countries. Our people come from a variety of backgrounds, bringing unique skills and perspectives that enrich our company culture and drive innovation in air traffic management. From air traffic controllers to software developers and engineers, and from project managers to customer service experts, our #DASTeam works collaboratively to ensure the skies remain safe for everyone of us.