Project Manager

Client of AW Connect; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Client of AW Connect in Dubai seeks a senior Construction Project Manager to lead delivery from inception to handover on high-specification projects. You will own program, cost, quality, and safety, coordinating contractors, consultants, and internal teams to meet timelines and brand standards.

Role requires deep technical knowledge of construction, strong contract command (FIDIC and bespoke forms), and leadership to drive value while protecting margins.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or related discipline.
• PMP, RICS or CIOB certification is highly desirable.
• 10-15 years progressive construction and fit-out project management experience, with 5-10 years at Project Manager level, UAE experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead project planning, pre-construction, and master program development.
• Own the project budget end to end, manage variations, valuations, and final accounts.
• Direct site teams and contractors to deliver works safely, on program and budget.
• Chair progress meetings, resolve interface issues, and implement recovery plans.
• Manage handover packages including as-built drawings, warranties, and manuals.
• Enforce HSE standards and secure all approvals and permits.

Skills

End-to-end delivery

Program management

Contract administration

Budget ownership

MEP coordination

HSE leadership

Stakeholder management

Site leadership

Education

Bachelors in Civil Engineering / Architecture / Construction Management

PMP

RICS

CIOB

Job description

We are looking for an accomplished Construction Project Manager to lead the delivery of construction projects in Dubai from inception through to handover. The role carries full accountability for program, cost, quality, and safety on each assigned project, ensuring works are completed on time, within budget, and to the specification and finish standards that underpin our brand promise. This is a senior delivery role that demands deep technical knowledge of construction, confident command of contracts, and commercial control, and the management presence to direct contractors, consultants, and internal teams. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable resolving a technical interface issue on site and presenting solutions to senior management.

Key responsibilities

Project planning and pre-construction

• Lead project set-up for each award: scope definition, budget build-up, procurement strategy, resource planning, and the baseline program.
• Review drawings, specifications, and tender documents for buildability, coordination gaps, and cost risk before packages are let.
• Prepare and maintain the master program, identifying the critical path and available float across all work packages.

Commercial and cost control

• Own the project budget end to end, managing variations, valuations, payment applications, and final accounts alongside the GM.
• Lead the tendering and award of subcontract packages, evaluating bids on capability, quality and program conformity and certainty rather than lowest price alone.
• Create and review value-engineering proposals and reject any that compromise specification, durability, workmanship, or brand standards.
• Maintain a live risk and opportunity register with named owners, mitigation actions, and quantified cost and time impacts.

Site delivery and contractor management

• Direct site teams, main contractors, and subcontractors to deliver works safely, in the correct sequence, and to program schedule and budget.
• Chair progress meetings, resolve technical and interface issues, and elevate delays with a recovery plan rather than a report.
• Control site logistics, temporary works, material deliveries, and long-lead procurement to protect the critical path.

Quality, design compliance, and handover

• Work with the Design and Quality Management function to verify materials, mock-ups, samples, and workmanship against approved benchmarks and brand guidelines before installation.
• Manage snagging, testing and commissioning, and de-snagging through to practical completion.
• Deliver complete handover packages, including as-built drawings, warranties, manuals, authority clearances, and defect liability arrangements.

Health, safety, and regulatory compliance

• Enforce HSE standards across every site and hold contractors to their approved method statements and risk assessments.
• Secure and maintain all approvals, permits, and NOCs from Dubai Municipality, Civil Defence, DEWA, and other relevant authorities.

Stakeholder management, reporting, and team development

• Act as the principal point of contact for clients, consultants, and authorities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Issue accurate monthly reports covering progress, cost, risk, safety, and quality, with forward forecasts rather than historic data alone.
• Mentor engineers and junior project staff, building delivery capability and succession within the team.

Requirements

• Proven track record delivering construction and high-specification fit-out projects in the UAE from pre-construction through to handover, on programm and within budget.
• Demonstrable command of construction contracts, including FIDIC and bespoke forms, together with variations, claims, and extension-of-time management.
• Strong program management capability covering critical path analysis, resource loading, and recovery planning
• Sound commercial judgement, with the ability to challenge subcontractor pricing, control cost without eroding quality, and protect project margin.
• Working knowledge of UAE authority approvals and the local supply chain, including Dubai Municipality, Civil Defence, DEWA and other required submissions.
• Excellent team and subcontractor, negotiation, and reporting skills. The ideal candidate is able to hold contractors to account while maintaining productive working relationships.
• Valid UAE driving license required (frequent site visits).

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Professional certification such as PMP, RICS, or CIOB is highly desirable.
• 10-15 years of progressive experience in construction and fit-out project management, including a minimum of 5-10 years at Project Manager level with full delivery accountability, preferably in the UAE (Dubai experience strongly preferred).

Key skills & competencies

• End-to-end delivery: pre-construction, execution, and handover
• Program management and critical path control
• Contract administration, variation, and claims management
• Budget ownership, procurement, and subcontractor negotiation
• Construction and high-end fit-out technical knowledge (MEP coordination, finishes, detailing)
• Cost-quality balance and disciplined value engineering
• HSE leadership and UAE authority approvals
• Client, consultant, and authority stakeholder management

Desired Candidate Profile

Proven track record delivering construction and high-specification fit-out projects in the UAE from pre-construction through to handover, on programm and within budget. Demonstrable command of construction contracts, including FIDIC and bespoke forms, together with variations, claims, and extension-of-time management. Strong program management capability covering critical path analysis, resource loading, and recovery planning Sound commercial judgement, with the ability to challenge subcontractor pricing, control cost without eroding quality, and protect project margin. Working knowledge of UAE authority approvals and the local supply chain, including Dubai Municipality, Civil Defence, DEWA and other required submissions. Excellent team and subcontractor, negotiation, and reporting skills. The ideal candidate is able to hold contractors to account while maintaining productive working relationships. Valid UAE driving license required (frequent site visits). Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related discipline. Professional certification such as PMP, RICS, or CIOB is highly desirable. 10-15 years of progressive experience in construction and fit-out project management, including a minimum of 5-10 years at Project Manager level with full delivery accountability, preferably in the UAE (Dubai experience strongly preferred). End-to-end delivery: pre-construction, execution, and handover Program management and critical path control Contract administration, variation, and claims management Budget ownership, procurement, and subcontractor negotiation Construction and high-end fit-out technical knowledge (MEP coordination, finishes, detailing) Cost-quality balance and disciplined value engineering HSE leadership and UAE authority approvals Client, consultant, and authority stakeholder management