Project Head - Water Treatment Solutions

Antal International; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable water solutions provider is seeking a Project Head based in Dubai, UAE. This leadership role involves the end-to-end execution of complex water and wastewater treatment projects across the Middle East. Candidates should have a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering, with over 15 years of project management experience and native Arabic fluency. The role demands strong leadership, regional experience, and project execution excellence.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of project management experience.
• Proven experience managing large-scale water/wastewater projects.
• Strong GCC / Middle East project experience.
• Native Arabic speaker.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end execution of complex water and wastewater treatment projects.
• Drive portfolio-level planning and governance frameworks.
• Oversee project execution from planning to commissioning.

Skills

Project planning, scheduling & execution control

Strategic project leadership & decision-making

Resource planning & cross-functional team coordination

Risk assessment & mitigation

Budget & timeline management

Stakeholder & client communication

Vendor & subcontractor coordination

Quality assurance & compliance oversight

Change control & scope management

Analytical & problem-solving capability

Strong interpersonal, communication & leadership skills

Adaptability in dynamic project conditions

Cross-Functional Collaborations

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical Engineering

Job description

Our client is a well-established and highly reputed water and wastewater treatment solutions provider with over two decades of presence in the UAE and MENA region. The company specializes in design, supply, installation, and long‑term maintenance of advanced water and wastewater treatment systems, delivering complex turnkey projects across multiple sectors.

Role Overview

We are recruiting a Project Head for a critical leadership role based in Dubai, UAE. This position will lead the end‑to‑end execution of complex water and wastewater treatment projects across the Middle East.

The ideal candidate will bring strong strategic project leadership, deep regional experience, and the ability to manage large, multi‑stakeholder projects while ensuring delivery excellence, financial control and compliance with quality and safety standards.

Native Arabic fluency is mandatory.

Job Location – Dubai, UAE

Salary – 30,000 – 35,000 AED

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Leadership Responsibilities

• Define project vision, strategy and execution roadmaps aligned with organisational objectives
• Lead and govern multiple large‑scale, complex projects with full P&L accountability
• Drive portfolio‑level planning, prioritisation and governance frameworks
• Build and mentor high‑performing project management teams, strengthening leadership depth
• Lead cross‑functional alignment and organisational change initiatives

Project Delivery & Governance

• Oversee end‑to‑end project execution from planning to commissioning and handover
• Establish and enforce project management standards, controls and reporting discipline
• Institutionalise documentation, audit readiness and performance tracking
• Approve and manage scope changes, claims, variations and contractual adjustments

Financial, Risk & Stakeholder Management

• Own project budgets, cost controls, profitability and financial performance
• Establish and enforce robust risk assessment and mitigation frameworks
• Act as the primary interface with clients, senior leadership, consultants and regulators
• Lead high‑value negotiations and support contract strategy development

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Set and uphold quality, HSE and regulatory compliance standards across all projects
• Govern vendor, subcontractor and partner performance at a strategic level
• Ensure projects are delivered within agreed timelines, budgets and technical specifications

Key Skills Required

• Project planning, scheduling & execution control
• Strategic project leadership & decision‑making
• Resource planning & cross‑functional team coordination
• Risk assessment & mitigation
• Budget & timeline management
• Stakeholder & client communication
• Vendor & subcontractor coordination
• Quality assurance & compliance oversight
• Change control & scope managementProject documentation & reporting discipline
• Contract / negotiation awareness
• Analytical & problem‑solving capability
• Strong interpersonal, communication & leadership skills
• Adaptability in dynamic project conditions
• Cross‑Functional Collaborations

Mandatory Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree (BE) in Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical Engineering
• 15+ years of project management experience (mandatory)
• Proven experience managing large‑scale water/wastewater, construction or O&G projects
• Strong GCC / Middle East project experience
• Native Arabic speaker (mandatory)
• Demonstrated leadership in managing end‑to‑end complex projects