Project Director – Buildings

Gulf Contracting & Landscaping (GCL); Dubai; On-site; AED 650,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Gulf Contracting & Landscaping (GCL) in Dubai seeks an experienced Project Director - Buildings to lead major building projects from concept to completion. You will drive delivery across cost, quality, safety, schedule and client satisfaction, overseeing multidisciplinary teams and complex stakeholder environments.

The role requires a track record in high-rise, commercial, residential, mixed-use, hospitality, or large-scale projects within the UAE/GCC, with strong commercial and financial acumen

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or related discipline.
• 20+ years of construction project management experience on building projects.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale UAE/GCC projects.
• Experience with consultants, contractors, developers, and government authorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for major building projects from pre-construction through completion.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with contractual requirements.
• Oversee project planning, execution, monitoring, and close-out activities.
• Establish project objectives, delivery strategies, milestones, and performance targets.
• Lead project teams including construction managers, engineering teams, consultants, contractors, and subcontractors.
• Take ownership of project financial performance, including budgets, cost control, and profitability.
• Review project forecasts, variations, claims, and commercial risks.
• Work closely with commercial teams to optimize project outcomes and manage contractual obligations.
• Ensure effective cost management and value engineering initiatives.

Skills

Project leadership

Stakeholder management

Budgeting & cost control

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and highly accomplished Project Director - Buildings to lead the successful delivery of major building construction projects in Dubai.

The role requires a strategic project leader with extensive experience managing large-scale building projects from concept through completion, ensuring successful delivery across cost, quality, safety, schedule, and client satisfaction objectives.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in high-rise, commercial, residential, mixed-use, hospitality, or large-scale building projects, with proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex stakeholder environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for major building projects from pre-construction through completion.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with contractual requirements.
• Oversee project planning, execution, monitoring, and close-out activities.
• Establish project objectives, delivery strategies, milestones, and performance targets.
• Lead project teams including construction managers, engineering teams, consultants, contractors, and subcontractors.
• Take ownership of project financial performance, including budgets, cost control, and profitability.
• Review project forecasts, variations, claims, and commercial risks.
• Work closely with commercial teams to optimize project outcomes and manage contractual obligations.
• Ensure effective cost management and value engineering initiatives.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary point of contact for clients, consultants, authorities, and key stakeholders.
• Build strong relationships and maintain effective communication throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead client meetings, progress reviews, and executive-level reporting.
• Manage expectations and ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.

Construction Excellence & Quality Management

• Ensure compliance with project specifications, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Drive construction excellence and operational efficiency across all project phases.
• Ensure implementation of HSE policies and promote a strong safety culture.
• Identify project risks and implement effective mitigation strategies.
• Build and lead high-performing project teams.
• Provide direction, coaching, and support to project managers and engineering teams.
• Establish effective reporting structures, governance frameworks, and project controls.
• Promote collaboration between internal and external stakeholders.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline.
• 20+ years of experience in construction project management, with significant experience in building projects.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale building projects in the UAE/GCC.
• Experience managing projects with significant value and complexity.
• Strong understanding of construction methodologies, contracts, and project controls.
• Experience working with consultants, contractors, developers, and government authorities.

Preferred Project Experience:

Candidates with experience in:

• High-rise towers
• Commercial buildings
• Hospitality projects
• Luxury developments
• Strategic project leadership
• Strong commercial and financial acumen
• Excellent negotiation and communication abilities
• Risk management and problem-solving capability
• Strong understanding of UAE construction market