Chief Operating Officer

Locri Recruitment; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to lead their architectural practice in Dubai. This pivotal role involves overseeing business performance, enhancing quality, and driving financial viability while managing client relationships and business development. The ideal candidate will have extensive GCC experience, a strong educational background in Engineering or Architecture, and proven leadership skills. Join a forward-thinking firm known for its commitment to delivering exemplary projects across various sectors, where your leadership will shape the future of the practice and contribute to its growth on both national and international stages.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of GCC experience in senior management roles in architectural consultancies.
• Proven expertise in leading large-scale projects across diverse sectors.

Responsibilities

• Oversee overall business performance, ensuring quality enhancement and financial viability.
• Develop and maintain client relationships, ensuring excellent service delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Business Development

Client Relationship Management

Financial Management

Organizational Development

Education

Degree in Engineering or Architecture

MBA

Job description

Chief Operating Officer
Architecture
Dubai

Minimum Requirements:
*Minimum of 10 years of GCC experience in senior management roles within architectural consultancies, with proven expertise in leading large-scale projects across diverse sectors.

Our client is an award-winning architectural practice that offers services across the Culture, Hospitality, Residential, and Masterplanning sectors. They have a reputation for delivering exemplary social and environmental projects, providing adaptive and contextual buildings.

The Chief Operations Officer is a key senior leadership role within the business, where you shall work closely with divisional management to provide leadership and development of the practice and to assist in recognizing its strength and potential across national and international markets.

Responsibilities Overview

As COO, you will be responsible for the overall performance of the business, securing execution, ensuring quality enhancement, professional development, and financial viability. The COO will be responsible for developing and maintaining client relationships, excellent service delivery, superior project delivery, business development, office systems and standards, quality control, IT, HR, internal culture, Marketing, and PR.

Studio Management

Oversee and manage all management and HR aspects of the business, ensuring organizational development is progressing. Collaborate with the owners and staff to set and reach new development plans. Coach and support staff to establish proactive and efficient structure, procedures, and office standards. Oversee studio workflow, ensuring resource allocation according to workflow and project budgets. Oversight and development of IT infrastructure. Setting up and updating QA/QC systems.

Client Management

Develop new and nurture existing client relationships. Oversee the state of all client relationships and suggest ways to manage this aspect. Set and manage budgets and billings, ensuring delivery against forecasts. Understand regional, GCC, and international businesses across markets. Create open and clear lines of communication, troubleshooting, and negotiation.

Financial Management

Manage all financial aspects of the studio business performance, studio revenue, and profitability. Reporting and forecasting, including annual budgets. Ensure resources are allocated to allow forecasted revenue to be invoiced. Budgeting and tracking across Business Development and Accounts teams.

Business Development

Actively contribute to the development of the business, determining the best approach to business growth and opportunities locally and internationally. Develop a strategic approach to business growth in targeted markets. Prepare and present business planning strategies. Oversee the increase in revenue generated through new business. Oversee the marketing and bidding process and help set target audiences. Business development and viability, growth strategies across local and international markets.

About You

Degree educated ideally to Masters level in an Engineering or Architectural discipline. MBA qualified. Excellent networker and relationship builder. Strong command of the English language. Proven Managing Director / COO experience with an architectural engineering company. Experience in organizational development including Finance, Project Management, Business Development, and Administration. Upwards of 10 years of experience in business leadership roles. UAE / GCC market experience is essential.