Director of Operations

Confidential; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,250,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential, Dubai, seeks a senior leader to direct the construction-project portfolio, establishing governance, performance standards, and priorities across all projects. The role directs Project Directors and leadership teams, resolves portfolio constraints, and ensures projects meet commercial, programme, quality, safety and contractual objectives.

You will oversee planning, controls, and resource allocations, translating strategy into actionable plans, and reporting to the General Manager -

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent.
• Master's degree in Engineering or Construction Management preferred.
• Certification in PMP or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum 12 years overseeing multiple large-scale construction delivery.
• At least 8 years in progressively increasing managerial responsibilities.
• Fluent written and spoken English essential; Arabic preferred.

Responsibilities

• Directs delivery of all construction projects to meet milestones, budgets and quality.
• Leads coordination of Operations Department for efficient execution.
• Translates strategy into portfolio-wide operational priorities and targets.
• Provides strategic direction to Project Directors and accountable teams.
• Resolves cross-project constraints and resource conflicts.
• Directs technical reviews and constructability improvements.
• Oversees planning, scheduling and resource optimization to maintain performance.
• Ensures quality, health, safety and logistics compliance across projects.
• Establishes governance, monitors risks and reports to General Manager - Contracting.
• Manages department budget, approvals, and expenditure adherence.
• Forecasts workforce requirements and enables achievement of goals.

Skills

Leadership

Project delivery

Strategic planning

Budget management

Risk management

Cross-functional leadership

Quality & safety focus

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's in Civil Engineering

Master's in Engineering/Construction Management

PMP or equivalent certification

Job description

The role holder is responsible for directing the operational performance and delivery of the construction-project portfolio by establishing operational priorities, governance frameworks and performance standards across all projects. The role holder oversees Project Directors and project leadership teams, resolves portfolio-level resource and delivery constraints, and ensures projects collectively achieve approved commercial, programme, quality, safety and contractual objectives. The role holder shall carry out his duties in accordance with the stipulated business policies and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

Project Delivery & Operations

• Directs the delivery of all construction projects to achieve approved programme milestones, budget targets, quality standards, contractual obligations and client expectations.
• Leads the integration and coordination of the Operations Department’s functions to ensure efficient project execution and operational alignment.
• Translates the contracting company’s business strategy into portfolio-wide operational priorities, project delivery plans and performance targets.
• Provides strategic direction to Project Directors and holds project leadership teams accountable for delivery against approved objectives.
• Resolves cross-project constraints, resource conflicts and operational dependencies that cannot be addressed at project level.

Technical Leadership

• Directs technical reviews, engineering coordination, value-engineering initiatives and construction methodologies to resolve complex technical challenges and improve project execution.
• Ensures technical compliance with contract specifications, engineering standards, statutory regulations and company requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
• Reviews and approves high-level construction methodologies, sequencing strategies, temporary works and other critical technical proposals.
• Ensures timely coordination of design information, technical submittals, shop drawings, materials and approvals in line with project programmes.
• Directs value-engineering and constructability reviews to improve cost, quality, safety and programme performance without compromising contractual requirements.

Planning & Project Controls

• Oversees project planning, scheduling, resource optimisation and recovery strategies to maintain programme performance and proactively mitigate delays.Monitors portfolio performance through project-control systems, analysing schedule, productivity and operational metrics to support informed decision-making.
• Ensures the development and approval of realistic baseline programmes, resource-loaded schedules, procurement plans and mobilisation programmes.
• Reviews programme assumptions and resource requirements for tenders and newly awarded projects to confirm operational feasibility.

Quality, Health, Safety & Logistics

• Oversees the implementation of Quality Management Systems, Health, Safety and Environmental programmes and logistics strategies to ensure safe, compliant and efficient project execution.
• Promotes a culture of operational excellence, quality and safety by ensuring effective audits, inspections, corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives across all projects.

Operational Governance & Performance

• Establishes operational governance frameworks, monitor project risks and implement mitigation measures to safeguard project delivery, business continuity and organizational objectives.
• Provides operational performance reports, portfolio updates, strategic recommendations and improvement initiatives to the General Manager - Contracting while ensuring achievement of approved operational objectives.
• Leads and manages the annual budget for the department in conjunction with the business line's budget and secures subsequent approvals, tracks expenditure and ensures adherence to the budget.
• Manages and controls the operating framework for the department, ensures implementation and review of work processes to achieve high performance standards and compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Forecasts the workforce requirements for the department and obtains requisite approvals.
• Defines and facilitates the achievement of goals and key performance indicators for direct reports and ensures effective implementation of the performance management process in the department.
• Nurtures talent within the organization by providing ongoing feedback, coaching and development opportunities to individuals to enable achievement of their defined goals.

Minimum Qualifications, Experience and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent is required.
• Master's degree in Engineering or Construction Management is preferred.
• Relevant certification in PMP (Project Management Professional) or equivalent is preferred.
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience in overseeing multiple large-scale construction delivery for luxury, high-rise residential, commercial, and mixed-use buildings..
• At least 8 years in progressively increasing managerial responsibilities
• Fluent written and spoken English essential, Arabic preferred