The General Manager – Construction will lead and oversee the complete construction operations of the organization, including project execution, operational performance, regulatory compliance, financial management, and strategic growth initiatives. The role will be responsible for ensuring successful delivery of high-end luxury villa projects and mixed-use residential and commercial developments while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, efficiency, and client satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Business Management
- Work closely with senior management to execute the company's construction strategy and operational growth plans.
- Establish operational objectives, performance benchmarks, and execution standards across all projects.
- Oversee the performance of the company's project portfolio including luxury villas, residential, and commercial developments.
- Support business development initiatives, tender evaluations, project feasibility reviews, and client acquisition strategies.
- Represent the company in executive meetings, client discussions, consultant coordination meetings, and authority engagements.
- Drive operational excellence, productivity improvements, and organizational growth initiatives.
Project Planning & Execution
- Oversee all phases of project execution from planning, mobilization, construction, testing, commissioning, and final handover.
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within approved budgets, and in accordance with contractual and quality standards.
- Review and approve project schedules, manpower deployment plans, procurement strategies, and resource allocation.
- Monitor project progress, operational risks, delays, recovery plans, and mitigation strategies.
- Coordinate with consultants, subcontractors, suppliers, and internal project teams to ensure smooth project execution.
- Review operational and project performance reports and ensure achievement of project objectives and KPIs.
Government Regulatory Leadership
- Ensure full compliance with UAE construction regulations and authority requirements.
- Establish and maintain strong working relationships with Dubai Municipality (DM), Dubai Development Authority (DDA), Trakhees, Dubai Civil Defense, DEWA, and other relevant authorities.
- Oversee authority submissions, approvals, permits, NOCs, inspections, and completion certification processes.
- Ensure effective authority submission strategies to avoid delays, rejections, or compliance issues.
- Monitor compliance with environmental, zoning, safety, and regulatory requirements across all projects.
- Resolve regulatory and operational issues through effective coordination with government entities.
Financial Management & Cost Control
- Develop and oversee project and operational budgets.
- Implement cost control measures, value engineering initiatives, and operational efficiency programs.
- Approve procurement strategies, subcontractor appointments, and major commercial decisions.
- Monitor project profitability, operational costs, cash flow alignment, and resource utilization.
- Analyze operational productivity and implement corrective measures to improve efficiency and financial performance.
- Minimize operational, commercial, and financial risks across projects.
Team Leadership & Workforce Management
- Lead and manage Project Managers, Engineers, Site Teams, Supervisors, and operational departments.
- Oversee workforce planning, recruitment support, training, and employee development initiatives.
- Establish clear reporting structures, accountability systems, and operational responsibilities.
- Conduct performance evaluations and support leadership development and succession planning.
- Promote a high-performance culture focused on ownership, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Address operational and employee performance challenges in accordance with company policies.
Quality, Health & Safety Management
- Ensure compliance with QA/QC procedures, ISO standards, and UAE safety regulations.
- Oversee implementation of quality assurance and HSE management systems across all projects.
- Conduct operational reviews, audits, inspections, and corrective action follow-ups.
- Promote a strong safety culture focused on incident prevention and compliance.
- Ensure continuous improvement in quality, operational standards, and safety performance.
Client & Stakeholder Management
- Maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, developers, subcontractors, suppliers, and authorities.
- Ensure effective communication and coordination between all project stakeholders.
- Resolve client concerns, project disputes, operational challenges, and contractual issues proactively.
- Coordinate with internal departments including HR, Finance, Procurement, Planning, Logistics, and Commercial teams.
- Prepare operational and project performance reports for senior management and leadership reviews.
Risk Management & Governance
- Identify operational, financial, contractual, and execution-related risks proactively.
- Develop mitigation plans, contingency measures, and recovery strategies.
- Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, company procedures, and governance standards.
- Lead issue resolution processes related to delays, disputes, claims, and operational escalations.
- Support business continuity planning and crisis management initiatives.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
- Master's Degree or professional certifications in Construction Management is preferred.
- Minimum 10–15 years of experience in construction operations and project management within the UAE.
- Strong experience managing luxury villas, residential, and mixed-use commercial developments.
- Experience working with G+12 Dubai Municipality approved projects is preferred.
- Strong understanding of UAE construction regulations, authority approval procedures, and contractor operations.
- Preferably holding certifications or accreditations from authorities such as Dubai Municipality, Trakhees, or DDA.
- Strong leadership, operational management, commercial, and stakeholder management capabilities.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills.