Associate Director Facilities - UAE National - Entertainment

Yello; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Yello in Dubai is seeking a UAE National to lead Facilities Management strategy for a large-scale asset portfolio. You will oversee MEP, utilities, safety systems, and sustainability programs while managing outsourced contracts and ensuring SLA compliance.

The role requires 6–8 years in FM across retail, commercial or destination environments, with strong budgeting and stakeholder management capabilities. A challenging, impact-driven leadership position in a dynamic Dubai setting awaits.

Qualifications

• UAE National constraint for the role.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Facilities Management or a related field.
• 6–8 years of Facilities Management experience in large-scale assets.
• Experience in high-footfall environments such as retail, commercial or entertainment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Facilities Management strategy in line with the five-year plan.
• Prepare annual FM operational plans, budgets and resource requirements.
• Lead delivery and maintenance of MEP systems, utilities, buildings, and safety systems.
• Oversee FM and cleaning services, ensuring high standards and SLA compliance.
• Manage outsourced FM contracts, procurement, and performance evaluation.
• Drive cost optimisation and procurement while maintaining asset performance.
• Lead sustainability initiatives including energy efficiency and waste management.
• Review drawings and coordinate with authorities for approvals.
• Lead FM team development and ensure performance management.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Procurement

QHSE compliance

FM strategy

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Facilities Management

Job description

Our client is a leading Dubai Real Estate organisation responsible for operating and managing a large-scale destination and entertainment asset. With significant visitor footfall and a diverse portfolio of facilities, retail and operational spaces, the organisation is focused on delivering best-in-class guest experiences, operational excellence, sustainability and continued enhancement of its assets.

This position is part of the organisation's Emiratisation strategy and is exclusively open to UAE Nationals.

• Develop and implement the Facilities Management strategy in alignment with the organisation's wider business objectives and five-year business plan.
• Prepare annual FM operational plans, budgets and resource requirements, ensuring expenditure remains aligned with approved budgets and business priorities.
• Lead the delivery and maintenance of MEP systems, utilities, buildings, fit-out, emergency generators, lighting, fire and life-safety systems, landscaping and other critical asset infrastructure.
• Oversee FM and cleaning services, ensuring consistently high standards of service delivery and compliance with agreed SLAs and guest expectations.
• Manage outsourced FM contractors, service providers and suppliers, including procurement strategy, scope development, pre-qualification, contract management and performance evaluation.
• Drive cost optimisation and effective procurement while maintaining asset performance, reliability and service quality.
• Lead technical feasibility reviews, inspections and FM audits, identifying operational risks and implementing appropriate mitigation and corrective measures.
• Ensure compliance with relevant QHSE policies, statutory requirements, authority regulations and industry best practices.
• Drive FM digital transformation initiatives, leveraging technology to improve asset performance, operational efficiency and service delivery.
• Lead sustainability initiatives including energy efficiency, waste management and resource optimisation.
• Review technical and electrical drawings where required and coordinate with relevant authorities and stakeholders to secure necessary approvals.
• Monitor guest, tenant and business-partner feedback and implement initiatives to continuously enhance service standards.
• Lead, develop and manage the FM team while ensuring effective resource allocation, accountability and performance management.

The successful candidate will:

• Be a UAE National.
• Hold a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Facilities Management or another relevant discipline.
• Bring at least 6-8 years of relevant Facilities Management experience, ideally across large-scale retail, commercial, mixed-use, leisure, entertainment or destination assets.
• Experience within theme parks, major visitor attractions or other high-footfall destination environments would be highly advantageous.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of MEP and building systems including HVAC, HV/LV, plumbing, fire and life safety, utilities and associated infrastructure.
• Have strong experience managing outsourced FM contracts, SLAs, service providers and procurement activities.
• Possess strong budgeting, cost-control and commercial management capabilities.
• Demonstrate knowledge of QHSE requirements, safety codes and FM compliance standards.
• Bring experience in sustainability, energy optimisation and technology-led FM transformation.
• Have strong leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to operate effectively across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Relevant Facilities Management, Project Management or QHSE certifications would be advantageous.