Senior Manager - Infrastructure

Job Requisition ID: 171656

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organization to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day

Overview of the role:

Al Futtaim is embarking upon a major expansion of Dubai Festival City, including the construction of new road networks, tunnels, bridges and utility infrastructure. The infrastructure works will include civils works, district cooling, electrical, water, drainage, gas and telecom services, together with the associated landscaping within the Right of Way. Additionally, the infrastructure works may include enabling works packages, bulk excavation, piling, sub-structure, shoring and marine wall construction.

Al-Futtaim Real Estate is seeking an experienced Associate Director to serve as the client-side senior manager, driving the successful execution of large-scale infrastructure design and construction projects. This pivotal role requires strategic planning, stakeholder coordination, and oversight of designers to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with our vision and quality benchmarks.

As an integral member of the Development and Delivery team, the Associate Director will contribute to multiple projects, beginning with the design and planning phases, providing strategic and detailed input for wet and dry utilities, civil works, phasing, diversions, contract packaging, contractor selection, and tendering processes.

During the construction phase, the Associate Director will coordinate with the Client side delivery team Project Management Consultants and Contract
Administrators, to provide input and technical oversight. The Associate Director shall maintain an intimate knowledge of the works, from a hands-on approach and regular site visits, directly interfacing with the contractors and consultant teams.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of successfully delivering major infrastructure projects, from design to completion.
The Senior Manager - Infrastructure will report to the Director of Infrastructure.

What you will do:
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Leadership:
  Define project objectives, scope, and success criteria in collaboration with organizational leadership.
  Provide guidance and direction on utility design and civil works infrastructure, including logistics, packaging, approvals, procurement and buildability.
  Oversee the selection of consultants and contractors, to align with project goals.
  Maintain guardianship of sitewide infrastructure works to ensure all assets and plots are developed in alignment with the necessary standard and provisioning.
• Project Oversight:
  Manage the procurement of designers and the design of the works, from input to masterplanning, to concept, through construction and handover.
  Ensure alignment with the project brief, organizational standards, and client expectations.
  Participate in contract negotiations and oversee compliance with technical, regulatory, and contractual obligations and approvals.
  Maintain utility trackers for each service and manage provisioning for each plot in the masterplan
  Make presentations regarding infrastructure design and delivery
• Design Management
  Provide guidance for infrastructure design standards and requirements
  Contribute to the production of RFPs for design consultants, undertake technical reviews of submissions, interviews and make recommendations.
  Review and manage designs from consultants.
  Input to tender documentation and contractor assessment and recommendations.
• Stakeholder Management:
  Act as a key point of contact for internal stakeholders and Project Management Consultants.
  Maintain clear and consistent communication across all parties involved in the project.
  Address concerns, resolve conflicts, and ensure stakeholder satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle.
  Authority Engagement for approvals and design standards
• Construction Management and Project Reporting:
  Coordinate with and assist the Client’s construction delivery team in their administration and delivery of the works.
  Coordinate with the PMC / Cost Consultant site teams in the administration of the project works.
  Participate in meetings with the contractors for review of progress and technical matters.
  Support the site delivery teams in relation to their infra related Authority approvals

Required skills to be successful:
Skills and Competencies

• Ability to act as Client Side manager, managing consultants and being a senior internal interface to other client side stakeholders
• Experience of Authority interface and management for design approvals and standards.
• Pro-active and collaborative approach, with ability to adapt to the demands and changing project targets and aspirations
• Good understanding of wet and dry utility design
• Preference to also have civil engineering experience of roads and Right of Way.
• Good leadership and communication skills.
• Proficient in project management.
• Good standard of AutoCAD (but not expert)
• Good ability in PowerPoint and Excel
• Ability to balance strategic priorities with other demands
• Team Management
• Team Player
• Fluent in English – spoken and written

What Equips you for the role:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum of 10+ years of experience in utility infrastructure / civil engineering, with substantial experience in client-side roles or as a consultant leading multi-disciplinary design teams
• Proven expertise in delivering large-scale and high-value infrastructure construction projects.
• Middle East experience of large-scale projects

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 and 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.