Head of Tendering & Contracts (MEP)

TradesApp; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 500,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

TradesApp in Abu Dhabi seeks a seasoned Tenders & Contracts Manager to lead its tendering department, succeeding a retiring manager after 30+ years. You will own the end-to-end process from opportunity hunt to contract signature, guiding a team of Engineers and negotiating with clients.

You will prepare, review and finalise contracts (FIDIC-based), manage contractual risk, and report on pipeline and estimate accuracy to the General Manager.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum 15 years in MEP construction with tendering and contracts.
• Experience on high-rise residential and commercial projects.
• Ability to draft and negotiate contracts using FIDIC.
• Experience leading client discussions through to contract award.
• Proven leadership of engineers or estimators.
• Career stability with 4+ years at a previous employer.
• Fluent in Arabic and English.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of engineers and estimators preparing tenders.
• Ensure tenders are priced against project costs.
• Identify new project opportunities across high-rise developments.
• Prepare and finalise contracts including FIDIC-based terms.
• Lead client discussions and negotiate to contract award.
• Build long-term relationships with clients, consultants, main contractors.
• Own the tendering department within 3–6 months during handover.
• Report tender pipeline, win rate and estimate accuracy to GM.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Contract drafting

Arabic

English

Education

Bachelors in Mechanical/Electrical Eng

Tools

FIDIC contracts

Estimating

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.