About
Archibat HR is seeking a General Manager for a General Contractor company which is a subsidiary of an international high end real estate group with operations spanning the UK, the UAE, and China, specializing in landmark luxury residential and mixed-use developments in Dubai, London, and beyond. The contracting company is primarily responsible for the construction of the Group’s residential and mixed-use real estate development projects in the UAE. It is also planned to progressively establish the capability for independent operations, standalone P&L, and third-party market expansion.
The General Manager will have full responsibility for the company’s operations, project delivery, cost control, commercial management, supply chain, team building, and future business development.
This position is not merely a technical engineering lead, project manager, or Construction Director, but rather the overall business leader of the company. The ideal candidate must possess both hands-on large-scale project experience and company-level management capabilities, and be able to manage an EPC contracting company across multiple dimensions including P&L, cash flow, engineering, commercial affairs, procurement, contracts, organizational development, and risk management.
Candidates must have long-term, in-country Middle East experience with direct responsibility for local engineering projects. Those without such Middle East residency and project experience will not be considered.
Job description
– Full P&L ownership over operations, project delivery, cost, quality, safety, and business results.
– Develop medium/long-term operational plans, budgets, and resource allocation aligned with Group strategy.
– Lead full-cycle construction management for residential, hotel, commercial, and mixed-use projects (pre-construction to handover).
– Establish and enhance multi-project management systems covering schedule, cost, quality, safety, cash flow, and risk.
– Oversee core functions: Commercial/QS, Contracts, Procurement, Planning, Engineering, PM, and HSE.
– Drive cost control and profitability, proactively managing commercial risks (variations, claims, EOT, LD, subcontractor disputes).
– Optimize procurement and supply chain frameworks to strengthen purchasing power, negotiation, and cost competitiveness.
– Lead major subcontract, procurement, and construction contract negotiations; safeguard key terms, payment conditions, and margins.
– Implement robust cash flow and working capital systems, coordinating progress, certifications, collections, and payments.
– Recruit, develop, and manage the core management team and build a strong second-tier leadership pipeline.
– Handle high-level negotiations with Developers, Consultants, Authorities, Subcontractors, and Suppliers.
– Navigate UAE project approval, construction, inspection, and handover processes; ensure full local regulatory compliance.
– Collaborate with the Group’s development arm while maintaining independent accounting and market-oriented operations.
– Once internal projects stabilize, develop third-party business to reduce dependency on Group projects.
– Evaluate vertical integration opportunities (e.g., ready-mix, precast, MEP, fit-out) and advise on ROI, capacity, and supply chain security.
Required profile
– 15+ years in real estate development, construction, or EPC contracting, with senior leadership roles in large engineering firms.
– Minimum 5 years of cumulative Middle East experience; UAE/Dubai experience strongly preferred.
– Hands-on responsibility for large-scale project delivery in the Middle East (not short-term trips or remote oversight).
– Proven track record managing full construction cycles of large residential, hotel, commercial, or mixed-use projects, with concurrent multi-project exposure.
– Deep knowledge of UAE/GCC markets: Developers, Consultants, Main Contractors, Subcontractors, Suppliers, and labor supply.
– Familiarity with UAE approval, construction, and handover processes; experience with Dubai Municipality, DDA, Trakhees, DEWA, Civil Defence preferred.
– Well-versed in FIDIC and regional contract regimes; strong practical experience in Commercial/QS, variations, claims, EOT, and contract administration.
– Strong cost/commercial acumen with real ability to manage revenue, cost, margin, cash flow, and working capital.
– Business and P&L mindset—not a traditional engineering lead, but a leader accountable for overall business performance.
– Strong organizational and people management skills; experience leading large engineering, multi-project, and cross-border teams.
– Mature negotiation and problem-solving capabilities in complex stakeholder environments.
– Fluent English (working language for business, contracts, meetings, and documentation).
– Background in major Chinese developers, state-owned/central construction groups, large private EPC contractors, or international firms with long-term Middle East residency highly preferred.
– Fluent in both English and Chinese (spoken and written).
To apply: Submit your CV and portfolio via our website (Ref: 1094297) or email o.hon-pin@archibat.com
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