Project Manager - Construction

(Manufacturing Hub, United Arab Emirates)

1. Position Details:

Position Title: Project Manager - Construction (ESMH)

Function: Programme Delivery - Design & Construction

Reports To: Programme Director

Direct Reports: Construction Managers; Planning Engineer; QA/QC Manager; HSE Manager; Site Engineers

Location: RAKEZ Al Ghail, Ras Al Khaimah (site-based)

Band / Grade: Senior Management

Employment Type: Full-time, project duration with rolling renewal

2. Purpose of the Role:

The Project Manager is accountable for the safe, on-time, on-budget and on-specification physical delivery of the The Client's Smart Manufacturing Hub - a 335-acre master-planned industrial development with an aggregate capital programme of approximately USD 10 billion and a combined Phase I - III bill of quantities of circa AED 6.1 billion. The role owns construction execution from enabling works through to handover and commissioning, including the main construction contract (indicative USD 500 million), the four trade-discipline work packages, labour accommodation, residential towers, the UHPC / GRC / GRP manufacturing facility, and the serviced industrial plots that will host 150 resident industries across six sectors.

3. Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

A. Pre-Construction and Procurement Support:

- Review and challenge the master programme, phasing logic and construction methodology against the commercial commitment of 30 industries operational by end-2027 and 80 by 2030.

- Support the AVP - Contracts & Procurement in preparation of invitations to tender, technical specifications, bills of quantities and the four-package trade split; lead technical evaluation of contractor submissions.

- Validate design deliverables at concept, schematic, detailed design and IFC stages; manage design consultants, value engineering exercises and buildability reviews.

- Establish the site logistics plan, temporary works strategy, laydown areas, and utilities and enabling works sequence.

B. Construction Delivery and Programme Control:

- Direct all site construction activity across concurrent phases and packages, ensuring conformity with drawings, specifications, statutory requirements and the approved programme.

- Own the Level 1 - 4 CPM programme, critical path analysis, resource and manpower histograms, S-curves and progress measurement; maintain a monthly rolling look-ahead and recovery plans for any slippage.

- Manage the Construction Plant & Equipment Schedule (123 line items) - mobilisation, utilisation, maintenance and demobilisation.

- Chair weekly progress meetings with contractors and consultants; issue the monthly Programme Director's report covering progress, cost, risk, HSE and quality.

- Administer the construction contracts on site in accordance with FIDIC conditions: site instructions, variation orders, extension of time assessments, early warning notices and claims defence, in coordination with Contracts & Procurement.

C. Cost, Quality and Safety:

- Control the construction cost plan against the approved BOQ; certify interim payment applications, monitor committed versus forecast final cost, and maintain the risk and contingency register.

- Implement and enforce the project Quality Management Plan: inspection and test plans, material approvals, method statements, non-conformance management and snagging / de-snagging.

- Own construction HSE performance to a zero-harm standard - permit-to-work systems, hot works, lifting operations, confined space, heat stress management and contractor HSE audits; ensure full compliance with UAE Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation, RAKEZ and Civil Defence requirements.

- Oversee welfare and compliance standards at the labour accommodation, including occupancy, sanitation and transport arrangements.

D. Authorities, Interfaces and Handover:

- Secure and maintain all statutory approvals and NOCs - RAKEZ, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, Civil Defence, utilities and telecommunications providers, environmental authority - and manage the permitting calendar so that approvals never sit on the critical path.

- Manage the interface between base-build works and resident-industry plot handover, fit-out coordination, and connection of tenant utilities and services.

- Ensure delivery of the sustainability and ESG scope: green building certification targets, energy and water performance, waste management, and the data required to substantiate the Group's carbon credit generation.

- Lead testing, commissioning, integrated systems testing, statutory certification, handover documentation, as-built records, O&M manuals, and management of the defects liability period.

4. Key Performance Indicators:

- Schedule performance index against the approved baseline; milestone achievement for the 2027 and 2030 occupancy commitments.

- Cost performance against the approved BOQ; variation and claim value as a percentage of contract sum.

- Zero fatalities; lost time injury frequency rate within Group target; closure of HSE audit actions.

- First-time quality pass rate on inspections; number of open non-conformance reports at handover.

- Timeliness of authority approvals with no permit-driven critical path delay.

- Handover completion certificates issued and defects closed within the liability period.

5. Qualifications and Experience:

- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or Architecture; Master's degree advantageous.

- Professional membership / certification: PMP, MRICS, CEng or equivalent; UAE Society of Engineers registration required or obtainable.

- Minimum fifteen (15) years' construction delivery experience, including at least seven (7) years as Project Manager on developments of USD 300 million or greater.

- Proven delivery of industrial parks, free zone developments, manufacturing facilities, logistics estates or comparable master-planned schemes.

- Substantial GCC experience - UAE experience and familiarity with RAKEZ, Civil Defence and municipality processes strongly preferred.

- Demonstrated administration of FIDIC-based contracts as Employer's representative.

- Fluent English; Hindi / Urdu and/or Arabic advantageous for site workforce and authority interface.

6. Technical and Behavioural Competencies:

- Primavera P6 and/or MS Project planning at expert level; earned value management.

- Deep technical command of civil, structural, MEP and infrastructure works.

- Contract administration, claims analysis and dispute avoidance.

- Cost engineering and quantity surveying literacy sufficient to challenge consultant and contractor positions.

- Uncompromising safety leadership and the authority to stop work.

- Ability to lead large multinational site teams and multiple concurrent contractors.

- Clear, evidence-based reporting to Board and investor audiences.

7. Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Programme Director; Chief Operating Officer; Chief Architect; AVP - Contracts & Procurement; Senior Manager - Leasing, JV & Partnerships; Group Finance; HSE and Quality functions.

External: Main contractor and package contractors; design consultants and supervision consultants; RAKEZ; Ras Al Khaimah Municipality and Civil Defence; utility and telecom providers; independent certifiers, technical advisers and lenders' engineers; resident industry tenants and their fit-out contractors.

8. Terms of Appointment:

Remuneration will comprise an all-inclusive fixed base salary, housing and transport allowances. The full package will be determined by reference to the successful candidate's experience and to prevailing UAE market benchmarks for comparable roles. Benefits include medical insurance for the employee and spouse, annual leave and air passage in accordance with Group policy, and end-of-service gratuity in accordance with applicable UAE and free zone employment law. Appointment is subject to satisfactory references, verification of qualifications, background and integrity screening, and completion of visa and licensing formalities.