Chief Operating Officer

Ashley Frazer Executive; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 800,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

A Chief Operating Officer role with a UAE contractor is being supported in Abu Dhabi, requiring broad leadership over project delivery, commercial performance and organizational development. The candidate will partner with the CEO to strengthen governance, processes and accountability across a portfolio of major projects.

The role demands extensive UAE contracting experience, a strong technical engineering background and a proven ability to translate operational improvements into measurable

Qualifications

• Minimum of 20 years in construction and contracting with senior operational leadership responsibility.
• Proven track record as a COO, Operations Director, General Manager or equivalent.
• Direct experience working for a UAE main contractor is essential with strong UAE market understanding.

Responsibilities

• Lead the company’s operational strategy across projects, construction, engineering and commercial functions.
• Oversee day-to-day operations to ensure delivery on time, budget and quality across multiple projects.
• Develop and mentor senior operational leaders, strengthening governance and accountability.
• Drive continuous improvement, cost discipline and cash performance with the CEO and leadership team.
• Build strong client and stakeholder relationships to enable sustainable growth.

Skills

20+ years construction

COO/Executive leadership

UAE contracting experience

Job description

About the Company

Ashley Frazer Executive Search is supporting an established UAE contractor in appointing a Chief Operating Officer to lead its operational performance and support the next phase of business growth.

About the Role

Ashley Frazer Executive Search is supporting an established UAE contractor in appointing a Chief Operating Officer to lead its operational performance and support the next phase of business growth. This is a broad business leadership role combining responsibility for project delivery with commercial performance, organisational development and operational improvement. Working closely with the CEO, the successful candidate will strengthen the processes, teams and accountability needed to deliver consistently across a portfolio of major projects. The opportunity will suit an experienced contracting executive with a strong technical engineering background, direct UAE contractor experience and a track record of translating operational improvements into measurable business results.

Responsibilities

• Lead the company’s operational strategy, aligning project delivery, resources and organisational capability with its commercial and growth objectives.
• Oversee day-to-day operations across Projects, Construction, Engineering, Commercial, Procurement and related functions, ensuring effective coordination between head office and project teams.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to the required quality standards, from mobilisation through to completion and handover.
• Drive business and project financial performance, working closely with commercial and finance teams to strengthen budget discipline, cost forecasting, margin protection and cash performance.
• Monitor performance across the project portfolio, identify delivery risks, delays and cost pressures, and hold senior teams accountable for timely corrective action.
• Lead operational improvement and business transformation, assessing existing processes, cost structures and working practices to improve productivity, efficiency and consistency.
• Establish clear governance, reporting, performance measures and management routines that provide leadership with reliable visibility of operational and commercial performance.
• Oversee workforce, equipment and resource planning across projects, ensuring capacity is aligned with current commitments and future opportunities.
• Support tendering and pre-construction decisions through assessment of delivery strategy, programme, resource requirements, operational capacity and risk.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, subcontractors, suppliers and relevant government entities.
• Develop senior operational leaders, strengthen succession planning and create a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Partner with the CEO and senior leadership team to strengthen the business’s operating model and support sustainable growth.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 20 years’ experience in construction and contracting, including substantial senior operational leadership responsibility.
• Proven experience as a COO, Operations Director, General Manager or equivalent, with responsibility spanning multiple projects and business functions.
• Direct experience working for a UAE main contractor is essential, together with a strong understanding of the local construction market and delivery environment.
• Demonstrable infrastructure contracting experience, supported by a strong technical engineering background and sound construction delivery judgement.
• A track record of managing multiple major projects, leading large operational teams and coordinating complex delivery requirements.
• Personal accountability for P&L performance at business or divisional level, with evidence of improving profitability, cost control and operational results.
• Proven experience implementing continuous improvement, business excellence or organisational transformation initiatives, with measurable outcomes.
• Strong commercial awareness, including an understanding of project risk, procurement, subcontractor performance and contractual obligations.
• The credibility to work effectively with the CEO, senior management, clients and project teams, combining strategic judgement with a practical, hands‑on leadership approach.
• Experience gained solely within developers, consultancies or government authorities will not meet the requirement for direct UAE contracting leadership.