Project Manager – Landscape and Lagoons

Gulf Contracting & Landscaping (GCL); Dubai; On-site; AED 250,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

Gulf Contracting & Landscaping (GCL) is seeking a Project Manager – Landscape and Lagoons to lead delivery across softscape, hardscape, lagoons, water features and beaches for a major development in Dubai.

The role owns time, cost, quality and safety for these packages and ensures the finished landscape and lagoons match design intent and are ready for long-term operation. Fluent English required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Horticulture or related discipline (required).
• PMP, PRINCE2 or equivalent project management certification (preferred).
• Training in water treatment, pools or lagoon systems (an advantage).
• Recognised HSE certificate, such as NEBOSH or IOSH (an advantage).
• 10+ years in landscape construction with at least 5 years as Project Manager.
• Hands-on with lagoons, large water features, pools or beach projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop the landscape and lagoon delivery programme, phasing and budget in line with the master plan and amenity opening dates.
• Plan planting around seasons, plant availability and nursery lead times.
• Track progress, cost and risks; issue weekly and monthly reports to management.
• Manage landscape architects, lagoon technology providers, and water, MEP and structural consultants from concept to IFC.
• Review designs for buildability, water balance, maintenance needs and value engineering.
• Coordinate interfaces with infrastructure, buildings, utilities, levels and drainage.
• Oversee lagoon excavation, liner installation, structural edges, beach sand placement and filtration and treatment systems.
• Coordinate with the lagoon technology licensor on specifications, approvals and quality checks.
• Manage water filling, water quality testing, commissioning and handover to operations.
• Supervise softscape, hardscape and irrigation systems; inspect plant material at nurseries and on arrival.
• Prepare tender packages, evaluate bids and recommend contractors, nurseries and specialist suppliers.
• Administer contracts, variations, claims and payment certification.
• Enforce inspection and test plans, material approvals and mock-ups.
• Ensure safe working, especially around excavations, deep water and heavy plant.
• Promote water efficiency, native and drought-tolerant planting and environmental compliance.
• Manage snagging, the establishment and defects liability period, and plant replacement.
• Secure as-built drawings, O&M manuals and warranties, and train the operations and maintenance team.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Contract management

Cost control

Planning ( Primavera P6 / MS Project )

Site supervision

Fluent English

Education

Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture / Civil Engineering / Horticulture

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Project

AutoCAD

MS Excel

Job description

Job summary:

The Project Manager – Landscape and Lagoons leads the delivery of all softscape, hardscape, public realm, irrigation and water-body works across the development. The scope includes man-made lagoons (such as crystal lagoons), swimmable and decorative water features, beaches, pools, parks, streetscapes and amenity areas. The role owns time, cost, quality and safety for these packages and makes sure the finished landscape and lagoons match the design intent and are ready for long-term operation.

Key responsibilities:

Project planning and control

• Develop the landscape and lagoon delivery programme, phasing and budget in line with the master plan and amenity opening dates.
• Plan planting around seasons, plant availability and nursery lead times.
• Track progress, cost and risks; issue weekly and monthly reports to management.

Design coordination

• Manage landscape architects, lagoon technology providers, and water, MEP and structural consultants from concept to IFC.
• Review designs for buildability, water balance, maintenance needs and value engineering.
• Coordinate interfaces with infrastructure, buildings, utilities, levels and drainage.

Lagoon and water features

• Oversee lagoon excavation, liner installation, structural edges, beach sand placement and filtration and treatment systems.
• Coordinate with the lagoon technology licensor on specifications, approvals and quality checks.
• Manage water filling, water quality testing, commissioning and handover to operations.

Landscape works

• Supervise softscape (trees, palms, shrubs, turf), hardscape (paving, walls, shade structures, furniture) and soil preparation.
• Oversee irrigation systems, including pumps, tanks, controllers and treated sewage effluent (TSE) connections where used.
• Inspect plant material at nurseries and on arrival against agreed specifications.

Procurement and contracts

• Prepare tender packages, evaluate bids and recommend contractors, nurseries and specialist suppliers.
• Administer contracts, variations, claims and payment certification.

Quality, HSE and sustainability

• Enforce inspection and test plans, material approvals and mock-ups.
• Ensure safe working, especially around excavations, deep water and heavy plant.
• Promote water efficiency, native and drought-tolerant planting and environmental compliance.

Handover and maintenance

• Manage snagging, the establishment and defects liability period, and plant replacement.
• Secure as-built drawings, O&M manuals and warranties, and train the operations and maintenance team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Horticulture or a related discipline (required).
• PMP, PRINCE2 or equivalent project management certification (preferred).
• Training in water treatment, pools or lagoon systems (an advantage).
• Recognised HSE certificate, such as NEBOSH or IOSH (an advantage).

Experience

• 10 or more years in landscape construction, with at least 5 years as a Project Manager.
• Delivered large landscape packages for resorts, hotels, master-planned communities or public parks.
• Hands-on experience with lagoons, large water features, pools or beach projects (crystal lagoon experience strongly preferred).
• Experience with large irrigation networks and planting in hot or arid climates.
• Experience on the client or developer side is an advantage.

Skills and competencies

• Strong knowledge of softscape, hardscape and irrigation methods and materials.
• Understanding of lagoon construction, liners, filtration and water chemistry.
• Plant knowledge, including species selection, sizes and establishment care.
• Planning with Primavera P6 or MS Project, and cost control.
• Reading landscape, civil and MEP drawings in AutoCAD.
• Leadership of contractors, specialists and site teams.
• Clear communication, reporting and negotiation.
• An eye for detail and the design intent of the finished space.
• Fluent English; a regional language is an advantage.

Key performance indicators

• Landscape and lagoon areas handed over on programme.
• Final cost within approved budget.
• Lagoon water quality meeting specification at handover.
• Plant survival rate above the agreed target through the establishment period.
• Zero lost-time incidents.