Head of Tendering & Contracts (MEP)

Urban Ridge Supplies; Dubai; On-site; AED 250,000 - 380,000; Full time

Job summary

Urban Ridge Supplies in Dubai seeks a seasoned Tenders & Contracts Manager to lead the tendering department, succeeding a retiring mentor. You will own the end-to-end process from opportunity hunt to contract signature, coordinating a team of engineers and aligning bids with project costs.

The role demands strong leadership, FIDIC knowledge, and the ability to negotiate with clients and main contractors. Fluent Arabic and English are required, with a track record of delivering high-value tenders

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering is required.
• Minimum 15 years of MEP construction experience with tendering & contracts.
• Experience with high-rise residential and commercial projects.
• Strong ability to draft and negotiate FIDIC-based contracts.
• Proven track record leading client discussions through to contract award.
• Experience leading engineers or estimators teams.
• Stable career history, typically 4+ years at roles.
• Excellent client references and integrity.
• Fluent in Arabic and English, written & spoken.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of 5 Mechanical and Electrical Engineers preparing tenders.
• Ensure tenders are priced correctly against project costs.
• Identify and pursue new project opportunities in high-rise developments.
• Draft, review and finalize FIDIC-based contracts and manage risks.
• Lead client discussions and negotiations through to contract award.
• Build long-term relationships with clients, consultants and main contractors.
• Take ownership of the tendering department within 3–6 months with handover.
• Report tender pipeline, win rate and estimate accuracy to the General Manager.

Skills

Team leadership

Client negotiations

Tendering

Contracts drafting

Budgeting / cost estimating

Bilingual Arabic/English

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.