Projects Director / Operations Director

Lead the execution of multiple concurrent EPC and industrial projects from contract award through commissioning, handover and close-out.

Provide leadership and direction to Project Managers, Construction Managers, Project Controls teams and multidisciplinary project personnel.

Maintain overall accountability for project safety, quality, schedule, cost, profitability, cash flow and client satisfaction.

Review and approve project execution plans, baseline schedules, procurement strategies, mobilisation plans and resource requirements.

Monitor the overall project portfolio and intervene in delayed, high-risk or commercially underperforming projects.

Ensure effective coordination between engineering, procurement, fabrication, construction, commercial, project controls, HSE and QA/QC functions.

Oversee project budgets, cost forecasts, estimates at completion, commitments and gross-margin performance.

Ensure variations, claims, extensions of time and additional works are identified, documented and submitted within contractual timeframes.

Monitor invoicing, payment certification, collections, retention and working-capital exposure.

Oversee critical procurement packages, long-lead equipment, vendor performance and material delivery.

Manage fabrication and construction priorities across multiple projects and work locations.

Oversee mechanical completion, pre-commissioning, commissioning, performance testing and final handover.

Maintain senior-level relationships with clients, consultants, partners, subcontractors and key stakeholders.

Lead executive project reviews and resolve major technical, commercial and contractual escalations.

Support tender reviews, bid-risk assessments, contract negotiations and project mobilisation.

Develop the capability and succession pipeline of Project Managers and senior project personnel.

Ensure variations, claims, extensions of time and additional works are identified, documented and submitted within contractual timeframes.

Monitor invoicing, payment certification, collections, retention and working-capital exposure.

Oversee critical procurement packages, long-lead equipment, vendor performance and material delivery.

Manage fabrication and construction priorities across multiple projects and work locations.

Oversee mechanical completion, pre-commissioning, commissioning, performance testing and final handover.

Maintain senior-level relationships with clients, consultants, partners, subcontractors and key stakeholders.

Lead executive project reviews and resolve major technical, commercial and contractual escalations.

Support tender reviews, bid-risk assessments, contract negotiations and project mobilisation.

Develop the capability and succession pipeline of Project Managers and senior project personnel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical or another relevant engineering discipline.

PMP, Chartered Engineer or an equivalent professional qualification is preferred.

Minimum 20 years of experience within EPC, oil and gas, petrochemical, terminals, storage facilities, process plants or heavy industrial projects.

At least 8 years in senior project leadership as Projects Director, Project Director, Head of Projects or General Manager – Projects.

Direct experience working for an EPC contractor.

Proven experience overseeing multiple Project Managers and concurrent projects.

Strong UAE or GCC project-delivery experience.

Full responsibility for project budgets, P&L, margins, cash flow and commercial performance.

Strong experience across engineering, procurement, fabrication, construction, commissioning and handover.

Proven experience managing contracts, variations, claims, extensions of time and project risks.

Experience recovering delayed or commercially underperforming projects.

Strong client-management, negotiation, leadership and decision-making capabilities.