Civil Engineering & ConstructionFull time
19 Aug
Senior Project Manager – High-Rise Buildings
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
AED 35,000 – 40,000 per month + Benefits
Full time
Job Reference ID: ANT-DXB-SPM-20260819Job Title: Senior Project Manager – High-Rise BuildingsLocation: Dubai, UAEJob Type: Full-Time, PermanentSalary range: AED 35,000 – 40,000 per month + BenefitsIndustry: Construction / Civil Engineering / Real Estate / Property DevelopmentExperience: 10+ Years
Job Summary
We are seeking an accomplished Senior Project Manager – High-Rise Buildings to lead the successful delivery of large-scale, high-value residential and commercial tower developments in Dubai.
The successful candidate will take end-to-end ownership of major construction projects, providing strategic and operational leadership from project initiation, feasibility, design development, authority approvals and tendering through construction, commissioning, handover and post-handover support.
This is a senior leadership position requiring a proven track record of delivering high-rise residential and commercial developments in the UAE, with strong command of project planning, construction methodologies, design coordination, commercial management, contract administration, procurement, quality, HSE, risk management and stakeholder engagement.
The role will serve as a key interface between the developer/owner, project management team, consultants, architects, contractors, specialist subcontractors, suppliers and government authorities, ensuring that project objectives are achieved in terms of time, cost, quality, safety, functionality and commercial performance.
The ideal candidate will combine strong technical construction expertise with the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, make commercially sound decisions, anticipate project risks and maintain executive-level visibility over project performance.
Key Responsibilities
1. Project Leadership & Strategic Management
Take overall responsibility for the successful delivery of assigned high-rise building projects from inception through completion and handover.
Establish project objectives, execution strategies, key deliverables, milestones and performance requirements in alignment with the employer's development strategy.
Translate project objectives into clear execution plans covering programme, cost, resources, procurement, quality, HSE and risk.
Provide senior-level direction to project teams, consultants, contractors and specialist stakeholders.
Establish appropriate project governance, reporting structures, approval processes and communication protocols.
Ensure that project decisions are aligned with commercial objectives, design intent, statutory requirements and long-term asset performance.
Monitor overall project health and intervene proactively where programme, cost, quality or resource performance is at risk.
Provide regular executive-level updates covering progress, key risks, commercial exposure, critical decisions and recovery actions.
Drive a culture of accountability, ownership, collaboration and continuous improvement across the project team.
2. Project Planning, Programming & Controls
Develop and maintain comprehensive project execution plans covering all stages of the development lifecycle.
Establish detailed master programmes and project schedules using Primavera P6 / MS Project.
Integrate design, procurement, authority approvals, enabling works, construction, testing, commissioning and handover activities into the master programme.
Establish project milestones, critical path activities, key interfaces and programme performance indicators.
Review contractor baseline programmes and ensure that they are realistic, achievable and aligned with contractual obligations.
Monitor actual progress against approved programmes and identify delays at an early stage.
Lead programme recovery and acceleration initiatives where required.
Analyse critical path activities and evaluate the impact of delays, variations and changes on project completion.
Ensure appropriate look-ahead planning and short-term execution programmes are maintained.
Coordinate interfaces between civil, structural, architectural, MEP, vertical transportation, façade, interiors and specialist systems.
Ensure project teams maintain accurate progress records and supporting documentation.
3. Design Management & Technical Coordination
Lead the coordination and review of design deliverables throughout the project lifecycle.
Review architectural, structural, civil and MEP drawings, specifications and technical submissions.
Ensure design information is complete, coordinated, constructible and aligned with project requirements.
Lead multidisciplinary design coordination meetings and resolve technical interfaces.
Identify design gaps, clashes, inconsistencies and constructability issues before they affect construction.
Coordinate with architects, engineering consultants, specialist designers and contractors to resolve technical matters.
Conduct constructability reviews and identify opportunities for improved construction methodology, programme and cost efficiency.
Support value engineering initiatives without compromising design intent, quality, safety or asset performance.
Review technical proposals, material specifications, method statements and shop drawings where required.
Ensure design changes are properly assessed for their impact on cost, programme and quality.
Coordinate BIM and digital construction processes where applicable.
Ensure all design information required for construction is issued in a timely and coordinated manner.
4. Tendering, Procurement & Contractor Management
Support the development of tender strategies, procurement plans and contracting approaches.
Coordinate with consultants and procurement teams to prepare tender documentation and contractor packages.
Participate in contractor and subcontractor prequalification and technical evaluation.
Review tender submissions, technical proposals, qualifications and commercial clarifications.
Support bid evaluation and recommendation processes.
Participate in contractor selection, negotiations and contract finalisation.
Establish clear expectations regarding programme, resources, quality, HSE, reporting and contractual performance.
Monitor contractor mobilisation and ensure that project resources are deployed in accordance with approved requirements.
Assess contractor performance against agreed KPIs and contractual obligations.
Drive corrective action where contractor performance falls below expectations.
Coordinate procurement of long-lead materials, specialist systems and critical equipment to protect the project programme.
5. Construction & Site Execution
Provide senior leadership over day-to-day construction execution and project delivery.
Monitor site activities across civil, structural, architectural, MEP, façade, interiors and external works.
Ensure construction activities are executed in accordance with approved drawings, specifications, method statements and project requirements.
Review construction methodologies and sequencing for major works.
Ensure adequate resources, labour, equipment, materials and supervision are available to maintain planned productivity.
Monitor productivity and identify opportunities to improve construction efficiency.
Coordinate multiple contractors and subcontractors working across interconnected packages.
Ensure proper interface management between structural, architectural, MEP, façade, interiors and specialist contractors.
Resolve site-level technical and coordination issues promptly.
Conduct regular site inspections, progress reviews and coordination meetings.
Maintain strong focus on project completion milestones and critical activities.
Ensure site activities are properly documented and supported by appropriate inspection and quality records.
6. Commercial, Cost & Financial Management
Take active responsibility for project financial performance and cost control.
Establish and monitor approved project budgets, forecasts and cost plans.
Review project cash flow requirements and expenditure forecasts.
Monitor commitments, variations, claims, provisional sums and potential cost exposures.
Identify cost risks at an early stage and implement appropriate mitigation measures.
Work closely with commercial and quantity surveying teams to maintain accurate project cost information.
Review contractor payment applications and assess progress against contractual deliverables.
Monitor change orders and ensure proper evaluation, approval and documentation.
Challenge unjustified variations and cost increases.
Support value engineering and cost optimisation initiatives.
Ensure commercial decisions consider both immediate project cost and long-term asset value.
Maintain visibility over final account exposure and forecast final project cost.
Provide senior management with accurate financial reporting and forward-looking cost assessments.
7. Contract Administration & FIDIC
Manage project contractual obligations in accordance with applicable contract conditions.
Maintain strong working knowledge of FIDIC contracts and principles of construction contract administration.
Ensure notices, instructions, approvals, variations and contractual correspondence are appropriately managed.
Monitor contractor compliance with contractual requirements.
Review and support the assessment of claims, extensions of time and variations.
Ensure contractual risks are identified, documented and escalated appropriately.
Work closely with commercial, legal and contract administration teams on contractual matters.
Maintain proper records to support commercial and contractual positions.
Ensure project decisions and instructions are properly documented.
Support dispute avoidance through proactive issue resolution and effective contract administration.
8. Quality Assurance & Quality Control
Establish and maintain high standards of construction quality throughout the project.
Ensure works comply with approved drawings, specifications, applicable standards and authority requirements.
Review and monitor contractor QA/QC procedures and inspection plans.
Ensure appropriate inspection and testing procedures are implemented.
Monitor material approvals, mock-ups, samples and technical submissions.
Ensure non-conformances are identified, investigated and closed within agreed timelines.
Drive root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive action where recurring quality issues occur.
Ensure critical works are inspected and approved before proceeding to subsequent stages.
Maintain focus on long-term building performance, durability and maintainability.
Ensure quality requirements are carried through to commissioning, testing and handover.
9. Health, Safety & Environmental Management
Maintain strong leadership and accountability for HSE performance across the project.
Ensure contractors comply with applicable UAE legislation, project HSE requirements and approved safety plans.
Promote a proactive safety culture across all project stakeholders.
Review project HSE performance, audits, inspections and incident reports.
Ensure high-risk activities are appropriately assessed and controlled.
Monitor contractor compliance with safe systems of work, permits and method statements.
Ensure appropriate corrective actions are implemented following incidents, observations and audits.
Support regular safety meetings, inspections and awareness initiatives.
Maintain zero-tolerance standards for unsafe practices that could impact personnel, property or project continuity.
10. Authority Approvals & Regulatory Compliance
Coordinate with relevant UAE and Dubai authorities throughout the project lifecycle.
Ensure required permits, approvals, NOCs and statutory clearances are obtained within the required timelines.
Coordinate authority requirements with consultants, contractors and project stakeholders.
Monitor compliance with applicable UAE building regulations, codes, standards and authority requirements.
Ensure authority inspections and approvals are properly planned and incorporated into the project programme.
Proactively identify approval-related risks that could impact project delivery.
Maintain appropriate records of approvals, permits, certificates and statutory documentation.
11. Risk Management
Establish and maintain a comprehensive project risk management framework.
Identify technical, commercial, contractual, programme, procurement, resource and stakeholder risks.
Maintain project risk and opportunity registers.
Assess the probability and potential impact of identified risks.
Develop mitigation, contingency and recovery strategies.
Escalate critical risks to senior management with clear recommendations.
Monitor emerging risks throughout the project lifecycle.
Ensure risk mitigation actions are assigned, tracked and closed.
Promote proactive rather than reactive project management.
12. Stakeholder & Client Management
Act as a senior point of contact for the employer/developer and key project stakeholders.
Build and maintain professional relationships with clients, consultants, contractors, authorities and strategic suppliers.
Lead high-level project meetings and stakeholder coordination sessions.
Manage expectations regarding programme, cost, quality, scope and project performance.
Communicate complex technical and commercial matters clearly to senior management.
Provide concise and accurate project reporting supported by relevant data and analysis.
Resolve stakeholder conflicts professionally and commercially.
Maintain alignment between project delivery teams and the employer's strategic objectives.
13. Team Leadership & People Management
Lead multidisciplinary project teams comprising project managers, construction managers, engineers, commercial professionals, QA/QC, HSE and support functions.
Establish clear responsibilities, reporting lines and performance expectations.
Mentor and develop project team members.
Promote collaboration between technical, commercial and construction disciplines.
Monitor team performance and resource requirements.
Identify gaps in project resources and recommend appropriate corrective action.
Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability and delivery.
Lead by example in decision-making, communication, integrity and professional conduct.
14. Testing, Commissioning & Handover
Develop and monitor project completion, testing, commissioning and handover strategies.
Coordinate completion activities across all construction and specialist packages.
Ensure systems are tested and commissioned in accordance with approved requirements.
Lead snagging and de-snagging activities.
Ensure outstanding works are tracked through structured close-out processes.
Coordinate preparation of operation and maintenance manuals, warranties, certificates and as-built documentation.
Ensure statutory completion certificates and authority approvals are obtained.
Coordinate final inspections and client handover.
Manage transition from construction completion to operational readiness.
Support post-handover defect resolution and warranty obligations.
Key Performance Indicators
On-time project delivery
Budget and cost control
Programme performance and critical-path management
Construction productivity
Quality and reduction of defects
HSE performance
Contractor and consultant performance
Procurement and long-lead item management
Variation and claims management
Risk mitigation
Authority approval timelines
Successful testing, commissioning and handover
Client and stakeholder satisfaction
Post-handover defect management
Candidate Requirements
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or a closely related discipline.
A postgraduate qualification in Construction Management, Project Management or a related field will be an advantage.
Professional certifications such as PMP, MRICS, Chartered Engineer or equivalent will be advantageous.
Professional Experience
Minimum 10–15 years of progressive experience in construction and project management.
Proven experience as a Project Manager / Senior Project Manager delivering major high-rise building projects.
Strong UAE construction experience is essential.
Demonstrated experience in high-rise residential and/or commercial towers, preferably within Dubai.
Experience managing projects through the complete lifecycle from design and tendering through construction, commissioning and handover.
Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and multiple contractors/subcontractors.
Strong exposure to large-scale, complex and high-value developments.
Technical Expertise
High-rise building construction
Civil and structural works
Architectural finishes and interiors
MEP coordination and building services
Façade and external works
Construction planning and sequencing
Design coordination and constructability
Procurement and tendering
Cost and commercial management
Contract administration
FIDIC contracts
Claims and variations
Risk management
Quality assurance and quality control
HSE management
Authority approvals and statutory compliance
Testing and commissioning
Project handover and close-out
Software & Digital Tools
Strong proficiency in Primavera P6 and/or MS Project.
Working knowledge of AutoCAD.
Familiarity with Aconex or comparable document management platforms.
Experience with project reporting, dashboards and digital project management systems.
Exposure to BIM and coordinated digital construction environments will be an advantage.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
Leadership & Behavioural Competencies
Strong ownership and accountability.
Strategic and commercial thinking.
Excellent leadership and people-management capabilities.
Strong decision-making skills under pressure.
Excellent stakeholder management.
Strong negotiation and conflict-resolution abilities.
Exceptional planning and organisational skills.
Analytical and structured problem-solving capability.
Strong attention to detail without losing sight of the overall project objective.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced construction environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication.
Ability to challenge decisions constructively and protect project objectives.
High level of professionalism, integrity and confidentiality.
A proactive approach to identifying and resolving project issues.
What the Employer Offers
Competitive senior-level compensation of AED 38,000–40,000 per month + benefits.
Opportunity to lead significant high-rise developments in Dubai.
Senior-level exposure to developers, consultants, contractors and key project stakeholders.
Opportunity to influence project strategy, execution and commercial outcomes.
Professional and technically challenging working environment.
Long-term career growth within a high-performance project delivery organisation.
Opportunity to work on complex, landmark-scale developments.
What This Opportunity Offers the Successful Candidate
This position is suited to an experienced construction leader who is ready to move beyond day-to-day site management and take full ownership of project delivery.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence the project from strategy and design through construction and handover, work alongside senior stakeholders and lead multidisciplinary teams on complex high-rise developments.
This is an opportunity for a Project Manager who combines technical construction expertise, commercial awareness, programme discipline and strong leadership to make a measurable impact on major projects in Dubai.
How to Apply
Candidates who meet the above criteria and have a proven track record in delivering high-rise residential or commercial projects in the UAE are invited to submit their updated CV.
Please highlight relevant high-rise projects delivered, project value, height/number of floors, project location, role and key responsibilities within your CV.
Only candidates meeting the core experience requirements will be considered.
