Project Director

Confidential Careers; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Careers is seeking a Project Director to lead large-scale civil construction projects, including high-rise developments, from mobilization through handover.

You will command multidisciplinary teams, own the programme, budget, quality and safety, and ensure contractual compliance and client satisfaction across the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from a recognized university.
• PMP certification is an advantage.
• 20+ years of overall construction experience.
• 5–8 years in a Project Director capacity.
• Extensive experience with a major contractor on mega civil projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for projects from mobilization through completion and handover.
• Take full responsibility for programme, cost, profitability, quality, HSE and contractual compliance.
• Establish the project execution strategy, organization structure, manpower plan and resource requirements.
• Lead Project Managers, Construction Managers, Engineering, Planning, Commercial, QA/QC, HSE and site teams.
• Ensure construction activities conform to drawings, specs, contract requirements and programme.
• Monitor progress against baselines and implement recovery plans where required.
• Maintain coordination between construction, engineering, procurement, commercial, MEP and subcontractors.
• Review manpower and equipment productivity and ensure efficient deployment of resources.
• Maintain strong cost control and ensure delivery within the approved budget.
• Manage variations, claims, EOTs and commercial risks with Commercial and Contracts teams.
• Review monthly cost reports, forecasts, cash flow and project profitability.
• Procure major materials, subcontract packages and long-lead items timely.
• Develop and mentor senior project personnel and identify succession requirements.
• Provide regular project performance reports to senior management.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Cost control

HSE

Contract management

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional teams

Planning & scheduling

Risk management

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering

PMP certification

Job description

The Project Director is responsible for the overall leadership, execution, commercial performance and successful delivery of large-scale civil construction projects, including high-rise buildings and mega projects.

The role requires strong leadership of multidisciplinary project teams and full accountability for project delivery in terms of time, cost, quality, safety, contractual obligations and client satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for assigned projects from mobilization through completion and handover.
• Take full responsibility for project performance, including programme, cost, profitability, quality, HSE and contractual compliance.
• Establish the project execution strategy, organization structure, manpower plan and resource requirements.
• Lead Project Managers, Construction Managers, Engineering, Planning, Commercial, QA/QC, HSE and site teams.
• Ensure construction activities are executed in accordance with approved drawings, specifications, contract requirements and project programme.
• Monitor project progress against approved baseline programmes and implement recovery plans where required.
• Ensure effective coordination between construction, engineering, procurement, commercial, MEP and subcontractors.
• Review manpower and equipment productivity and ensure efficient deployment of resources.
• Maintain strong cost control and ensure the project is delivered within the approved budget.
• Work closely with the Commercial and Contracts teams on variations, claims, EOTs, contractual notices and commercial risks.
• Review monthly cost reports, forecasts, cash flow and project profitability.
• Ensure timely procurement of major materials, subcontract packages and long-lead items.
• Manage and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, authorities and key stakeholders.
• Chair senior project progress, coordination and management meetings.
• Identify major project risks and establish appropriate mitigation and recovery measures.
• Ensure strict compliance with company HSE requirements and promote a strong safety culture across the project.
• Ensure quality standards are maintained and NCRs, defects and technical issues are resolved promptly.
• Monitor subcontractor performance and take corrective action where performance is below requirements.
• Ensure timely approvals of drawings, materials, method statements and technical submissions.
• Drive project completion, testing, commissioning, authority approvals and final handover.
• Ensure timely closure of snagging, documentation, as-built drawings and project close-out requirements.
• Develop and mentor senior project personnel and identify succession requirements within the project team.
• Provide regular project performance reports and management updates to senior management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from a recognized university.
• Professional Engineering / Project Management certification such as PMP is an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum 20 years of overall construction experience.
• Minimum 5–8 years in a Project Director / Senior Project Director capacity.
• Extensive experience with a reputable main contractor is mandatory.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale high-rise buildings and/or mega civil projects from mobilization through handover.
• Strong experience managing projects involving large workforces, multiple subcontractors and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong leadership and decision-making ability.
• Excellent construction and technical knowledge.
• Strong commercial and contractual awareness.
• Advanced project planning and programme management skills.
• Cost control and project profitability management.
• Client and consultant relationship management.
• Risk management and problem-solving capability.
• Strong negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to manage large multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Results-driven with strong focus on project delivery, productivity and accountability.