PROJECT MANAGER (MEP)

Drake & Scull International; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Drake & Scull International is seeking an experienced Project Manager (MEP) to lead full delivery of MEP works on major building projects in the UAE. You will oversee planning, execution, coordination, commercial control, quality, safety, testing, commissioning and handover of MEP systems, coordinating with civil and architectural teams to meet client and consultant expectations.

The role requires a contractor-side leader capable of driving multidisciplinary teams, resolving interfaces, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• 12+ years of MEP contracting experience with project management responsibility.
• Experience on UAE/GCC high-rise, hospitality, residential or mixed-use projects.
• Knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, testing and commissioning.
• Leadership of engineers, supervisors, subcontractors and labor teams.
• Commercial awareness: variations, claims, cost monitoring and procurement.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Experience with fast-track or live hospitality/residential projects.
• Authority approval and consultant coordination in UAE.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of MEP works across HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire protection.
• Manage programme, manpower, subcontractors, procurement follow-up and costs.
• Coordinate with civil, architectural and specialist subcontractors to resolve interfaces.
• Review shop drawings, submittals, method statements and testing plans.
• Represent the project team in client, consultant, subcontractor and internal meetings.
• Drive productivity, quality, HSE compliance and resource optimisation on site.
• Identify risks, delays, variations and commercial impacts; support mitigation and protections.
• Ensure testing, commissioning, approvals, handover and close-out of MEP works.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Planning & scheduling

Leadership

Communication

Contract administration

Interface coordination

Problem solving

Risk management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Job description

Role Description

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager (MEP) to lead the complete delivery of MEP works across major building projects. The role will be responsible for managing planning, execution, coordination, commercial control, quality, safety, testing, commissioning and handover of MEP systems. This position requires a strong contractor-side leader who can drive multidisciplinary teams, resolve interfaces with civil and architectural works, and ensure timely completion in line with client, consultant and project requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of MEP works across HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and associated building services.
• Manage project programme, manpower, subcontractors, materials, procurement follow-up, cost control and delivery milestones.
• Coordinate closely with civil, architectural, structural, facade, fit-out and specialist subcontractor teams to resolve site interfaces.
• Review and monitor shop drawings, material submittals, method statements, inspection requirements, testing and commissioning plans.
• Represent the project team in client, consultant, subcontractor and internal progress meetings, ensuring clear actions and timely closure.
• Drive productivity, quality, HSE compliance and resource optimisation across site activities.
• Identify risks, delays, variations and commercial impacts, and support timely mitigation, recovery and contractual protection.
• Ensure smooth testing, commissioning, authority approvals, handover documentation and close-out of MEP works.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum 12 years of experience in MEP contracting, with proven project management responsibility.
• Strong experience in large-scale high-rise, hospitality, residential, commercial or mixed-use projects in the UAE/GCC.
• Sound knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, testing, commissioning and project documentation.
• Strong leadership capability with experience managing engineers, supervisors, foremen, subcontractors and labour teams.
• Commercial awareness in variations, claims support, cost monitoring, procurement follow-up and subcontractor management.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, planning, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Experience handling fast-track or live hospitality/residential projects.
• Authority approval and consultant coordination experience in the UAE.