Senior Manager - Facilities Operations

GMG Gulf; Dubai; On-site; AED 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

GMG Gulf in Dubai is seeking a Senior Manager - Facilities Operations to oversee complex property portfolios and engineering services. You will lead large facilities teams, manage budgets and maintenance programs, and ensure reliable operation of building systems.

The role requires strategic and operational leadership, strong vendor management, and a focus on safety, compliance and continuous improvement across multiple GMG properties in the UAE.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in facilities management/engineering operations
• 5+ years in a leadership role across multiple sites
• Proven control of substantial facilities budgets and capex
• Experience with retail/commercial/mixed-use property environments
• Strong knowledge of HVAC, electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems
• Knowledge of local building codes and safety regulations

Responsibilities

• Lead facilities operations across multi-site portfolios including retail and commercial spaces
• Set facilities strategy, standards, and service procedures
• Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance programs for buildings and systems
• Develop annual facilities budgets and cost-control plans
• Monitor expenditures and identify cost optimization opportunities
• Lead procurement and vendor management for services and projects
• Define SLAs and ensure contractor performance meets targets
• Coordinate project scopes, timelines and handovers
• Ensure health, safety and environmental compliance across sites

Skills

Multi-site facilities management

Facilities strategy

HVAC systems

Electrical systems

Mechanical systems

Plumbing systems

Preventive maintenance

Corrective maintenance

Asset lifecycle management

Capital expenditure planning

Facilities budgeting

Contract management

Vendor negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Health and safety

Business continuity

CMMS systems

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Succession planning

Performance management

Education

Bachelor's: Facilities Management/Engineering

Postgraduate qualification in Facilities/Property Management

Tools

CMMS software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Snapshot

Senior Manager - Facilities Operations

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Facilities Services

Function: Facilities Management-Maintenance

Experience: Minimum 15 years, including at least 5 years in a leadership role

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: 35,000 – 50,000 (Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the city; confirm final offer with the employer)

Overview

Senior Manager - Facilities Operations in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a senior Facilities Services opportunity for an experienced leader capable of managing complex property portfolios, engineering services, maintenance programs and large facilities teams. The role provides strategic and operational leadership across multiple GMG property portfolios, ensuring reliable performance of building systems, maintenance services, contractors, budgets and facilities teams while sustaining uninterrupted business operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead facilities management operations across retail, commercial and mixed‑use property portfolios.
• Establish facilities strategies, policies, operating standards and service procedures.
• Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance programs for buildings, equipment and infrastructure.
• Maintain reliable operation of HVAC, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and associated building systems.
• Develop annual facilities budgets, forecasts and cost‑control plans.
• Monitor operating expenditure and identify sustainable cost optimization opportunities.
• Review and approve maintenance plans, asset replacement proposals and capital expenditure requirements.
• Lead procurement activities for facilities services, equipment and technical projects.
• Manage tendering, supplier evaluation, contract negotiation and vendor appointment processes.
• Define service‑level agreements and ensure contractors meet performance, quality and response targets.
• Review vendor performance, address service failures and implement corrective action.
• Conduct site inspections and operational audits across assigned locations.
• Ensure compliance with building regulations, statutory requirements and internal control standards.
• Lead refurbishment, facility enhancement and infrastructure improvement projects.
• Coordinate project scope, schedules, contractors, budgets and handover requirements.
• Maintain high standards of health, safety and environmental compliance.
• Strengthen emergency response, risk management and business continuity arrangements.
• Ensure critical facilities incidents and service disruptions are resolved promptly.
• Maintain complete facilities records, maintenance histories, contracts and audit documentation.
• Improve asset reliability, availability and lifecycle performance.
• Use CMMS data and operational reporting to monitor maintenance effectiveness.
• Partner with business leaders to support new openings, expansion plans and operational changes.
• Identify process improvements that increase efficiency, service consistency and accountability.
• Promote a strong culture of safety, ownership and continuous improvement.
• Deliver responsive facilities services that maintain high stakeholder satisfaction.
• Complete additional strategic or operational responsibilities assigned by management.

People Management

• Lead Facilities Managers, Technical Executives, Technical Officers, Supervisors and Technicians across multiple sites.
• Set departmental objectives and individual performance targets aligned with organizational priorities.
• Plan workforce requirements and allocate technical resources based on operational demand.
• Provide regular direction, coaching and technical guidance to facilities teams.
• Conduct performance reviews and address capability or delivery gaps.
• Develop succession plans for critical facilities and engineering positions.
• Identify training requirements and support professional development initiatives.
• Build a high‑performing team capable of managing both planned and emergency work.
• Encourage collaboration, accountability and disciplined execution across locations.
• Maintain clear communication between facilities teams, contractors and internal stakeholders.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Postgraduate qualification in Facilities Management or Property Management is preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in facilities management, engineering operations or property management.
• At least 5 years of leadership experience managing multiple facilities, properties or large‑scale operations.
• Proven experience controlling substantial facilities budgets and capital expenditure.
• Strong track record in service contract management and vendor portfolio oversight.
• Experience working across retail, commercial or mixed‑use property environments is preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of HVAC, electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems.
• Good understanding of local building codes, statutory obligations and safety regulations.
• Strong preventive and corrective maintenance planning capability.
• Practical experience conducting facility inspections, compliance audits and condition assessments.
• Commercially sound contract negotiation and cost‑management skills.
• Experience leading refurbishment, asset replacement and infrastructure improvement projects.
• Ability to manage critical incidents, operational risks and business continuity requirements.
• Strong leadership, mentoring and performance management capabilities.
• Confident stakeholder communication and decision‑making skills.
• Proficiency in CMMS platforms and Microsoft Office applications.
• Certified Facilities Manager or equivalent professional certification is preferred.

Skills Set

• Multi‑site facilities management
• Facilities strategy
• HVAC systems
• Electrical systems
• Mechanical systems
• Plumbing systems
• Preventive maintenance
• Corrective maintenance
• Asset lifecycle management
• Capital expenditure planning
• Facilities budgeting
• Cost optimization
• Contract management
• Vendor negotiation
• Service‑level agreements
• Contractor performance management
• Property inspections
• Regulatory compliance
• Health and safety
• Environmental compliance
• Emergency preparedness
• Business continuity
• Risk management
• Refurbishment projects
• Infrastructure improvements
• CMMS systems
• Facilities audits
• Stakeholder management
• Workforce planning
• Team leadership
• Succession planning
• Performance management