Building Engineering Services Business Group Manager

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Building Engineering Services Business Group Manager to provide leadership and strategic direction for its BES portfolio. This role focuses on staff development, project delivery, and business growth. Candidates should have 10-20 years of experience in senior leadership roles and demonstrate strong skills in managing multidisciplinary teams and client relationships. The successful candidate will contribute to financial performance and business development strategies within the company, ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Qualifications

• 10–20+ years of industry experience, including senior leadership roles.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams in complex environments.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective leadership and management of the BES team.
• Ensure projects meet technical, quality, programme, and commercial standards.
• Lead and support bids, proposals, and business development initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Project Delivery

Commercial Management

Stakeholder Management

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Planning

Tools

Project Management Software

Design Analysis Software

Job description

Role Overview

HDR has an exceptional opportunity for a Building Engineering Services Business Group Manager to provide leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for the BES portfolio, with a primary operational focus on staff development, project delivery, financial performance, and business growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Management
  • Provide effective leadership and day‑to‑day management of the BES team, including utilisation, deployment, performance, and development.
  • Lead recruitment, workforce planning, succession planning, and staff retention in line with current and future project demands.
  • Conduct performance reviews, personal development plans, mentoring, and APC/chartership support>
• Project & Technical Oversight
  • Support and oversee Project Leads to ensure projects are delivered to required technical, quality, programme, and commercial standards.
  • Act as Project Lead / HDR Project Manager or Principal‑in‑Charge on large or complex projects when required.
  • Ensuring compliance with HDR design standards, QA/QC processes, and ISO 9001 / 14001 quality management systems.
  • Review and sign off key deliverables, reports, and technical outputs.
• Maintain accountability for financial performance, including job costing reports, profit and sales performance, fee forecasts, backlog planning, debtor management, and post‑project reviews. Provide quarterly and annual reporting to senior leadership.
• Actively manage risk, claims avoidance, and contract compliance.
• Business Development & Sales
  • Lead and support bids, proposals, and pursuits, including fee strategies, resourcing plans, and bid approvals.
  • Drive growth across CRE, Hotel & Leisure, Finance, Aerospace, TMT and other sectors.
  • Build and maintain strong client relationships and external partnerships. Represent HDR within industry associations and the wider market.
  • Work closely with Market Sector Directors, Business Group leaders, and global BES teams to achieve growth objectives.
• Strategic & Operational Planning
  • Contribute to annual and long‑term strategic planning and budgeting.
  • Monitor operational metrics and performance across the region.
  • Identify and prioritise strategic hires and capability development.
• Support cross‑selling and collaboration across disciplines, regions, and business groups.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Planning, or a closely related field.
• 10–20+ years of industry experience, including senior leadership roles.
• Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong background in project delivery, commercial management, and business development.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams in complex, matrixed organisations.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Commitment to HDR’s employee‑owned culture and values.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional registration / chartered status (or actively pursuing).
• Technical background within Building Engineering Services (MEP).
• Experience working with Middle East clients and projects.
• Experience managing regional or international business group operations.
• Familiarity with project and design analysis software.

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organisational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.