Head of Tendering & Contracts (MEP)

Trades App; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Trades App is seeking a seasoned Tenders & Contracts Manager to lead its tendering department in Abu Dhabi, taking over from a retiring leader after 30+ years. You will own the end-to-end process from opportunity hunting to contract signature, shaping pricing strategy and contract risk management.

You will guide a team of 5 engineers, drive high-profile MEP tenders for residential and commercial projects, negotiate with clients under FIDIC terms, and report on pipeline and win rate to the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (Mechanical preferred).
• Minimum 15 years in MEP construction with tendering and contracts.
• Experience with high-rise residential and commercial projects.
• Strong ability to draft and negotiate contracts under FIDIC conditions of contract.
• Experience leading client discussions through to contract award.
• Experience leading a team of engineers or estimators.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of 5 Mechanical and Electrical Engineers preparing tenders.
• Ensure MEP tenders are priced correctly, with estimates that hold up against actual project costs.
• Identify and pursue new project opportunities (job hunting) across high-rise residential and commercial developments.
• Prepare, review and finalise contracts, including FIDIC-based contracts, and manage contractual risk.
• Lead client discussions and negotiations through to contract award and sign-off.
• Build and maintain long‑term relationships with clients, consultants and main contractors.
• Take full ownership of the tendering department within the first 3-6 months, working alongside the outgoing manager during handover.
• Report on tender pipeline, win rate and estimate accuracy to the General Manager.

Skills

MEP tendering

Contract negotiations

Leadership

Client relationship management

Estimating & pricing

FIDIC contracts

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Job description

Our partner company is looking for a seasoned Tenders & Contracts Manager to lead its tendering department. You will succeed a manager retiring after more than 30 years with the company, with a structured handover under their guidance.

You will own the full path from job hunting to contract signature: finding opportunities, leading accurate MEP estimates, negotiating with clients and closing contracts. Your work directly drives the company's job awards and the accuracy of its pricing.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, guide and review the work of a team of 5 Mechanical and Electrical Engineers preparing tenders.
• Ensure MEP tenders are priced correctly, with estimates that hold up against actual project costs.
• Identify and pursue new project opportunities (job hunting) across high-rise residential and commercial developments.
• Prepare, review and finalise contracts, including FIDIC-based contracts, and manage contractual risk.
• Lead client discussions and negotiations through to contract award and sign-off.
• Build and maintain long‑term relationships with clients, consultants and main contractors.
• Take full ownership of the tendering department within the first 3-6 months, working alongside the outgoing manager during handover.
• Report on tender pipeline, win rate and estimate accuracy to the General Manager.

How success is measured: job awards won, and how closely tender estimates reflect actual project prices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (Mechanical preferred).
• Minimum 15 years of experience in MEP construction, with a solid track record in MEP tendering and contracts.
• Strong exposure to high-rise residential and commercial building projects.
• Proven ability to draft and negotiate contracts, with strong working knowledge of FIDIC conditions of contract.
• Experience leading client discussions and negotiations through to contract award.
• Experience leading a team of engineers or estimators.
• Career stability, ideally with at least 4 years at your current or a previous employer.
• Strong client references.
• High integrity and honesty in commercial dealings.
• Fluent Arabic and English, spoken and written.

Nice to have

• Professional certifications relevant to contracts, estimating or project management (for example in FIDIC, quantity surveying or PMP).
• An established network of clients and consultants in the regional building market.