General Manager - Construction

Job Title: General Manager – Contracting Job Type Full Time Job Location Dubai, UAE Job Function General Management Position Title: General Manager – Construction Company Industry Property & Real Estate Role Purpose The General Manager will lead and shape the construction function from the ground up, with an initial focus on low-rise to mid-rise developments , and a clear roadmap to scale into high-rise and complex projects as the portfolio grows. This role will be responsible to drive the end-to-end construction strategy and execution for the developer-backed contracting arm , ensuring seamless delivery of projects from feasibility-handover. This role holds full accountability for planning, execution, cost, quality, safety, and compliance , while building a scalable organization, strong governance, and a high-performance delivery culture. Key Responsibilities 1. Construction Setup & Organizational Design •Advise on and help define the construction organization structure •Identify key leadership and critical hires (Project Managers, QS, QA/QC, Planning, HSE) •Support recruitment decisions through role definition, capability benchmarking, and interview input. •Define delegation of authority, reporting lines, and accountability frameworks 2. Process, Governance & Systems Setup •Establish core construction processes: •Project controls & reporting •Cost management & approvals •Change management & variations •Quality and HSE frameworks •Set up standard operating procedures (SOPs) for execution and controls •Define management reporting cadence and dashboards for leadership visibility 3. Project Execution & Delivery Lead end-to-end delivery of low-rise and mid-rise projects in the initial phase and High Rise and complex developments in the later phases. •Ensure adherence to time, cost, quality, and safety standards •Oversee consultant coordination, contractor performance, and site execution •Manage risks, sequencing, and resource optimization •Ensure timely achievement of authority approvals, inspections, and completion certifications. •Proactively resolve execution challenges to avoid delays, cost overruns, and quality issues. 4. Construction Strategy & Long-Term Planning •Lead overall construction strategy aligned with the developer’s long-term development pipeline. •Oversee pre-construction activities including feasibility studies, constructability reviews, value engineering, and execution planning. •Define resource allocation, manpower planning, and phasing strategies across multiple towers. •Identify, assess, and mitigate technical, commercial, and delivery risks at early stages. 5. Scaling & Readiness for High-Rise Developments (Future-Focused) •Design systems and teams with future high-rise readiness in mind •Advise leadership on timing, capability gaps, and risk thresholds before moving into high-rise •Support transition planning as the project portfolio grows in complexity 6. Commercial, Contracts & Procurement •Advise on procurement strategy aligned with project scale and risk profile •Lead procurement strategy, subcontractor selection, and supplier prequalification. •Support contract structuring, tender evaluation, and contractor appointments •Drive cost discipline, value engineering, and claims mitigation 7. Quality, HSE & Compliance •Enforce robust QA/QC systems aligned with project specifications and international standards. •Ensure strict compliance with UAE construction codes, authority regulations, and safety standards. •Champion a zero-harm safety culture, ensuring strong HSE leadership across all sites. •Ensure readiness for audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews. 8. Governance, Controls & Methodologies •Implement best-in-class construction methodologies, project governance frameworks, and reporting systems. •Establish and track KPIs covering cost, time, productivity, quality, safety, and risk. •Enforce strong project controls, cost monitoring, and manage change. •Drive consistency and discipline across all sites and teams. 9. Stakeholder & Authority Management •Act as the senior interface with developers, consultants, subcontractors, and authorities. •Maintain effect