Operations Manager - Substation Projects

Confidential; Dubai; On-site; AED 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential is seeking an experienced Operations Manager/Projects Director to lead its substation construction portfolio, including greenfield builds, brownfield upgrades, and AIS/GIS installations across transmission and distribution voltage levels. This senior role oversees operational delivery, commercial performance, and team leadership across all active substations.

Responsibilities include end-to-end project delivery from award to energization, establishing execution standards, managing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Civil Engineering or related field.
• 15+ years in construction/EPC, with 8–10+ years in substation project management.
• Proven ownership of P&L, budgeting, cost control, and financial reporting.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end delivery of all substation projects from award through energization and handover.
• Set and enforce project execution standards, schedules, and quality across the portfolio.
• Escalate risks, delays, and disputes; drive standardized controls and reporting across sites.
• Oversee civil, electrical, testing, commissioning, and handover activities for substations.
• Manage interfaces with clients, utilities, EPC partners, and equipment OEMs.

Skills

Team leadership

P&L ownership

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Construction/EPC experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Civil Engineering or related

Master's/MBA (preferred)

Job description

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager / Projects Director to lead the delivery of our substation construction portfolio, spanning greenfield builds, brownfield upgrades, and AIS/GIS installations across [transmission/distribution] voltage levels. This is a senior leadership role responsible for operational delivery, commercial performance, and team leadership across all active substation projects.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Own end-to-end delivery of all substation projects — from contract award through construction, testing/commissioning, and handover
• Set and enforce project execution standards, schedules, and quality benchmarks across the project portfolio
• Act as the escalation point for project risks, delays, and technical/commercial disputes
• Drive standardization of project controls, reporting, and execution methodology across sites.

Substation Project Management

• Provide hands-on oversight of substation-specific execution: civil works, structural steel, equipment installation (transformers, GIS/AIS switchgear, protection & control panels), cabling, testing, and commissioning
• Ensure compliance with relevant grid codes, utility specifications, and safety/regulatory standards (e.g., IEC/IEEE, local utility/TSO requirements)
• Manage interfaces with clients, utilities, EPC partners, and equipment OEMs
• Oversee scheduling and resourcing across concurrent substation projects to avoid conflicts and delays

P&L and Commercial Management

• Full ownership of the operations P&L — revenue, cost, margin, and cash flow across the project portfolio
• Review and approve project budgets, cost forecasts, and variance analyses
• Partner with commercial/finance teams on contract terms, change orders, claims, and margin protection
• Identify cost overruns early and implement corrective action plans
• Report portfolio financial performance to executive leadership on a regular cadence

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop Project Managers, Site Managers, and engineering staff
• Build a high-performing operations team; manage hiring, performance, and succession planning
• Foster a strong safety culture across all sites (HSE ownership).

Stakeholder Management

• Serve as senior client-facing representative for major accounts and utility relationships
• Manage relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and regulatory bodies
• Support business development with technical/commercial input on new bids and tenders

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field (Master's/MBA a plus)
• 15+ years in construction/EPC, with a minimum of 8-10 years specifically in substation project management.
• Demonstrated ownership of P&L — budgeting, cost control, margin management, and financial reporting at a project or portfolio level
• Proven track record managing multiple concurrent substation projects from award to energization
• Strong working knowledge of substation equipment, testing/commissioning procedures, and applicable codes/standards
• Experience managing client, utility, and regulatory relationships
• Strong leadership experience managing multi-disciplinary teams (engineering, construction, commercial).

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP or equivalent project management certification
• Experience with EPC or turnkey substation contracts
• Familiarity with contract types (FIDIC, NEC, lump-sum, cost-plus) and claims management