Project Director - Real Estate (Contracting)

Job description / Role

Overview of the role

The Project Director holds a pivotal role in providing strategic leadership, effective management, and ensuring the safe execution of multiple large-scale projects, collectively valued at over AED 1 billion. This position is responsible for overseeing multidisciplinary teams to deliver projects within agreed timelines, budgets, and to the highest standards of quality and safety. The role also entails managing complex programs, aligning project outcomes with client expectations, and fostering strong relationships with executive-level clients and stakeholders to ensure seamless collaboration and satisfaction.

What you will do

• Ensure all projects are delivered on schedule, meeting programme timelines, and within approved budgets.
• Manage high-rise towers, residential, and commercial projects, ensuring alignment with project scope and client expectations.
• Develop and implement the project delivery strategy in alignment with AFEC's Business Plan and Long-Range Financial Plan.
• Establish clear processes and controls for programme management to optimize delivery timelines while maintaining project quality and cost efficiency.
• Lead and manage a large multidisciplinary team of department heads, ensuring cohesion across engineering, procurement, and construction management functions.
• Recruit, motivate, and retain qualified staff to ensure high performance and accountability across all teams.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement to meet project objectives and enhance operational performance.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for executive-level clients, ensuring effective communication and maintaining strong relationships throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead contractual negotiations and manage client expectations to ensure successful project outcomes and long-term business relationships.
• Act as a liaison between clients, contractors, and internal teams to facilitate clear communication and resolve issues effectively.
• Oversee the financial performance of all projects, ensuring accurate budgeting, cost forecasting, and financial controls are in place.
• Achieve project profitability targets by managing costs, negotiating subcontractor agreements, and identifying savings opportunities without compromising quality.
• Ensure diligent contract administration to protect the company's financial interests and mitigate risks related to cost overruns and delays.
• Monitor programme schedules to ensure all projects are delivered on time, with a focus on achieving on-time completion.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive risk management processes to address risks impacting timelines, quality, or profitability.
• Implement project reporting systems to track progress, forecast outcomes, and provide regular updates to the senior leadership team.
• Ensure all projects comply with the highest standards of safety, quality, and environmental management, adhering to local regulations and best practices.
• Monitor compliance with AFEC's governance policies and ensure all team members uphold the company's code of conduct and business ethics.
• Drive continuous improvement in operational processes to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve project outcomes.

Required skills to be successful

• Minimum of 20 years of experience in the construction industry, with at least 12 years in a senior managerial role.
• Proven track record of delivering large-scale projects valued at AED 1 billion or more, with experience across towers, residential, and commercial developments.
• Extensive experience working with tier-1 main contractors in Dubai and the GCC region, with a deep understanding of local regulations, client expectations, and market dynamics.
• Strong programme management skills, with a focus on on-time delivery and adherence to schedules.
• Expertise in financial management, including P&L responsibility, budgeting, and cost control.
• Proficient in contract administration, risk management, and legal advisory related to large-scale construction projects.

What equips you for the role

• Bachelor's and/or master's degree in engineering, construction, business management, or a related field.

About Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate

The real estate development and operations arm of Al-Futtaim, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate is responsible for a multi-billion-dollar portfolio across MENA. With high-quality residential, business, retail, tourism, educational, and healthcare developments, the master developer caters to the diverse needs of cities and communities in the region. From origination, conception, development, sales, procurement, and construction of mega-projects to the leasing, operation, and management of these projects after completion, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE) has been developing and managing owned landbanks, unlocking the economic potential of the region and contributing to future development for more than 40 years.

Our focus is to enable and invest in meaningful relationships to make our properties the best places to live and work, build additional products and services, and enable partnerships to create true value to our customers throughout their entire experience with us.

AFGRE is responsible for master planning of all projects in its portfolio, including two large scale mixed-use destinations: Dubai Festival City and Cairo Festival City.

About the Company

Established in the 1930's, the Al-Futtaim Group initially operated as a trading enterprise. Rapid development throughout the 1940's and 50's saw it establish itself regionally as an integrated commercial, industrial and services organisation, positioning itself one of the leading business houses in the lower Gulf region. Today, it operates collectively over 40 companies bearing the Al-Futtaim name, dominates many market segments in the UAE, and has expanded its sphere of operation to include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Egypt.

The Group comprises a diverse range of strategically positioned operating subsidiaries and associate companies, structured to give the Al-Futtaim Group the flexibility and versatility to keep ahead of local competition while keeping pace with the ever-evolving global business scenario. The Groups continued investment in world-class systems technology is clear evidence of its commitment to maintain leading edge performance and service delivery.

The success of the Al-Futtaim Group can be attributed to a business approach that combines the ability to change with the traditional values of integrity, service and social responsibility that define its core business philosophy. This, linked with the Groups belief in decentralisation, gives the heads of the operating companies a high degree of functional autonomy and authority, providing the Group with essential flexibility, and individual employees a clearly defined work culture and sense of responsibility.