Project/Construction Director - Infrastructure

Guildhall | The #1 Ranked Executive Search & Recruitment Agency in Dubai, UAE; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Guildhall is retained on a search for a privately backed infrastructure developer that builds and delivers underground transit and tunnelling projects across the Gulf, and is scaling its Dubai delivery team as construction ramps up on a major transport infrastructure programme. You will own tunnel and station construction end-to-end: mobilisation, civil works, workforce, permits, and handover.

The business is moving into active construction mobilisation now, and needs its delivery lead in place

Qualifications

• Led bored-tunnel drive or TBM/drill-and-blast as the accountable lead.
• Delivered underground stations/shafts on Gulf infrastructure projects.
• Directly liaised with RTA, Dubai Municipality or equivalent on permits and NOCs.
• Managed a subcontracted labour force of 500+ on a Gulf site.
• Degree-qualified civil engineer; registrable with Dubai Municipality.
• 10–20 years' experience; last five years focused on tunnels.
• Based in the UAE or wider Gulf with UAE experience.

Responsibilities

• Own tunnel and station construction delivery, mobilisation to handover, in Dubai.
• Manage all civil works and the subcontracted labour force on site.
• Lead permits, inspections and sign-off with RTA, Dubai Municipality or equivalent authority.
• Report to the Head of UAE, with a hands-on presence in the tunnel and the office.

Skills

Tunnel construction leadership

Permits & authorities liaison

Labor force management

On-site delivery execution

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Job description

Guildhall is retained on a search for a privately backed infrastructure developer that builds and delivers underground transit and tunnelling projects across the Gulf, and is scaling its Dubai delivery team as construction ramps up on a major transport infrastructure programme. You will own tunnel and station construction end-to-end: mobilisation, civil works, workforce, permits, and handover. The business is moving into active construction mobilisation now, and needs its delivery lead in place ahead of the first tunnel drive.

The role

• Own tunnel and station construction delivery, mobilisation to handover, in Dubai.
• Manage all civil works and the subcontracted labour force on site.
• Lead permits, inspections and sign-off with RTA, Dubai Municipality or an equivalent authority.
• Report to the Head of UAE, with a hands‑on presence in the tunnel and the office.

What you'll bring

• Personally led a bored‑tunnel drive, TBM or drill-and-blast, as the accountable lead.
• Delivered underground stations and/or shafts on a Gulf infrastructure project.
• Dealt directly with RTA, Dubai Municipality or an equivalent authority on permits and NOCs.
• Managed a subcontracted labour force of 500+ people on a Gulf site.
• Degree‑qualified civil engineer, registrable with Dubai Municipality.
• 10–20 years' experience, with the last five years focused on tunnels.
• Currently based in the UAE or wider Gulf region with UAE experience

What's on offer

• Full ownership of tunnel and station delivery on a major Gulf transit programme.
• A senior delivery seat on the contractor side, not a PMC or design function.
• Early involvement in construction mobilisation, shaping delivery from day one.