Paul graduated in BE Chemistry from Melbourne University in 1972 and granted a Masters degree in Public Health at University of NSW in 1981. He also studied business at Stanford and Harvard Universities to broaden his commercial skills. He worked for Melbourne water from 1971 to 1978 and then for Sinclair Knight Merz from 1978 until his retirement from Executive roles in 2011. Paul has continued to contribute in Non Executive Board roles in the listed , private and not for profit sectors

Paul Dougas is Chief Executive Officer of Sinclair Knight Merz, the great consulting engineering, sciences and planning firm and the most successful practice to have grown from an Australian base. Now global, the firm has the highest reputation and undertakes the most challenging of multi-disciplinary projects across a broad spectrum of technologies; a testament to his vision and to the best of Australian entrepreneurship.

Early in his career Dougas became a leading process designer in developing specialist waste treatment technologies now recognised as world leading. Since joining SKM in 1978 he has shown the professional and leadership abilities which identified him as the standout appointee to CEO in 1996. Since then the firm's growth, strength and international reputation have continued unabated.