HSE Director

Client of Guildhall; Dubai; On-site; AED 450,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

Guildhall is seeking an HSE Director to lead safety on a large-scale infrastructure live project in Dubai. You will own the safety management plan, permit-to-work system, risk assessments, and incident investigations, coordinating with owners, consultants and subcontractors.

The role requires 8+ years in HSE on construction sites, NEBOSH IGC or equivalent, a relevant degree, and fluent English for technical meetings. UAE/Middle East project exposure is advantageous.

Qualifications

• 8+ years HSE management on construction sites.
• Experience on large-scale infrastructure or EPC projects.
• NEBOSH IGC or equivalent qualification.
• Fluent English for technical meetings and coordination.

Responsibilities

• Lead HSE Director duties on a live large-scale infrastructure project in Dubai.
• Review and approve PTW, JSA/RA, method statements and NCRs.
• Manage high-risk operations: lifting, working at heights, scaffolding, excavation.
• Lead accident investigations and close out corrective actions.
• Run inspections, risk assessments, safety training and emergency drills.
• Manage subcontractor HSE compliance across the project.
• Prepare HSE plans, management reports, and audit documentation.
• Represent HSE to owners, consultants and the project management team.

Skills

HSE leadership

English fluency

NEBOSH IGC

Safety management

Stakeholder comms

Education

Bachelors in Safety Eng

Civil Eng background

Job description

Guildhall is running a search for a major EPC contractor delivering large infrastructure projects for government and institutional owners in the region, currently working on a project in Dubai. This HSE Director will own safety leadership for the site: permits, risk assessment, incident investigation, and the full HSE management plan for a live large-scale build. The client needs this seat filled urgently and has kept the budget open to secure the right person fast. This HSE Director will own safety leadership for the site: permits, risk assessment, incident investigation, and the full HSE management plan for a live large-scale build involving an international project management structure.

The role

• Lead HSE Director duties on a live large-scale infrastructure project in Dubai
• Review and approve PTW, JSA/RA, method statements and NCRs
• Manage high-risk operations: lifting, working at heights, scaffolding, excavation
• Lead accident investigations and close out corrective actions
• Run inspections, risk assessments, safety training and emergency drills
• Manage subcontractor HSE compliance across the project
• Prepare HSE plans, management reports, and audit documentation
• Represent HSE to owners, consultants and the project management team

What's on offer

• A site-based Director-level mandate on a major live infrastructure project
• Open budget reflecting the urgency of this hire
• Direct exposure to owners, consultants and an international project management team.
• A seat central to keeping a large-scale build compliant and moving

Why apply through Guildhall

• Boutique executive search firm in Dubai, established 2010
• 8x independent industry awards won since 2020
• 4.9-star Google rating from over 250 reviews
• Direct access to the retained consultant running this search

Hiring an HSE Director in Dubai

An HSE Director on a large infrastructure project in Dubai typically owns the project's safety management plan, permit-to-work system, and incident reporting for the full construction lifecycle. The role reports into project leadership and works daily with owners, consultants and subcontractors, often alongside an international project management team. Demand for multilingual HSE leadership is rising as large EPC contractors mobilise on Gulf infrastructure projects with international teams.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Over 8 years of HSE management experience on construction sites
• Experience on large-scale infrastructure, civil engineering or EPC projects
• Fluent English for technical meetings and professional communication
• Strong communication skills in the project team's working languages for daily project coordination.
• NEBOSH IGC or an equivalent recognised HSE qualification
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Safety Engineering, Civil Engineering or related field
• Experience managing HSE teams across a project is an advantage
• UAE or Middle East project exposure is an advantage