Construction Project Manager

Job Title: Dubai Construction Project Manager

Job Location: Dubai

Company Overview

We are hiring on behalf of our client China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC, https://www.crcc.cn/). Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Beijing, it is one of the largest state-owned infrastructure and engineering groups in China. The company specializes in railway engineering, highways and bridges, urban rail transit, and municipal infrastructure. CRCC delivers complex EPC projects across China and selected international markets, supported by strong project execution and management capabilities. The organization places strong emphasis on safety, quality, compliance, and sustainable development.

Position Overview

The Project Manager is responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle management of construction projects in Dubai, overseeing project planning, schedule management, cost control, quality assurance, safety compliance, and multi-stakeholder coordination.

The role ensures that all projects strictly comply with UAE construction regulations, industry standards, and client requirements, while delivering projects on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. The position plays a key role in establishing and maintaining the company's reputation for delivering high-quality engineering and construction projects.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Planning and Coordination

• Lead the preparation of the overall project execution plan, including schedule milestones, cost budgets, quality control systems, safety assurance plans, and resource allocation strategies, ensuring full compliance with Dubai Municipality and other relevant regulatory authorities.
• Organize and lead project kick-off meetings to clearly define responsibilities and collaboration processes among all project stakeholders, including owners, design consultants, subcontractors, and suppliers, while establishing effective cross-functional communication mechanisms.
• Identify project risks based on FIDIC contract provisions and applicable local regulations, and develop targeted risk mitigation strategies to proactively prevent potential issues such as schedule delays and cost overruns.

2. Schedule and Cost Control

• Develop and manage project schedules using professional project management tools such as Primavera P6, refining milestones for each project phase. Monitor project progress on a weekly basis and implement adjustments to resource allocation or construction methods where deviations occur.
• Lead the preparation and management of project cost budgets, strictly controlling project payments, material procurement costs, and variation order expenses. Conduct monthly cost variance analyses to ensure project expenditures remain within the approved budget.
• Review and approve subcontractor progress payment applications and variation quotations, and coordinate with relevant stakeholders to resolve cost disputes and safeguard the project's financial performance.

3. Quality and Safety Management

• Establish and implement project quality management procedures in accordance with the UAE ISO 9001 Quality Management System and local construction standards. Organize regular quality inspections and concealed works inspections, implement corrective actions for quality deficiencies, and ensure proper closure of all issues.
• Strictly enforce Dubai HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) management standards by developing site safety operating procedures, conducting regular safety training and emergency drills, and ensuring the achievement of zero major safety incidents.
• Support and cooperate with inspections conducted by local regulatory authorities, promptly implement corrective actions, and maintain the project's full regulatory compliance.

4. Stakeholder Communication and Coordination

• Serve as the primary point of contact for project stakeholders, maintaining regular communication with clients and local government authorities in Dubai (such as Dubai Municipality, the Electricity Authority, and the Water Authority). Respond promptly to stakeholder requirements and resolve approval and compliance issues throughout project execution.
• Coordinate multiple project stakeholders, including design consultants, construction subcontractors, and material suppliers, to resolve conflicts in cross-disciplinary work and ensure the continuity of construction activities.
• Regularly submit project progress reports, cost reports, and quality and safety briefings to both company headquarters and project owners to ensure alignment on key project updates.

5. Documentation and Compliance Management

• Manage the organization, archiving, and handover of project documentation throughout the entire project lifecycle, including construction drawings, approval documents, contractual agreements, and acceptance reports, ensuring compliance with Dubai's local documentation and archiving standards.
• Monitor and manage compliance approvals at each stage of the project, ensuring that construction permits, commencement approvals, and final completion documentation are complete, legally valid, and properly recorded.

Qualifications and Requirements

1. Basic Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or above in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Project Management, or a related discipline. Degrees from internationally recognized universities are preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in the construction industry, including at least 3 years of experience as a Project Manager.
• Experience managing large-scale construction projects in Dubai or the Middle East, such as commercial complexes, residential communities, or infrastructure projects, is highly preferred.
• Physically fit, and able to adapt to Dubai's high-temperature outdoor working environment and a demanding project schedule.

2. Professional Certifications

• Certification such as PMP (Project Management Professional), PRINCE2, or an equivalent international project management credential.
• Additional professional certifications within the UAE construction industry are preferred, such as:
• RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) membership
• CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building) membership
• Dubai-registered professional engineer qualifications
• Strong familiarity with FIDIC contract conditions and Dubai construction-related regulations, including the Dubai Building Code and Construction Safety Regulations.

3. Competencies and Skills

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate people, processes, objectives, and standards to ensure efficient project delivery within defined timelines and budgets while achieving high performance.
• Define and manage project tasks, allocate resources effectively, and organize project activities to achieve key project milestones.
• Oversee the construction execution of building projects, including reinforced concrete structures, steel structures, prestressed structures, interior finishing works, and all construction activities specified in project drawings.
• Regularly evaluate the alignment between project costs and approved budgets, and prepare detailed schedule and financial reports for stakeholder review.
• Continuously monitor and track the performance of suppliers and subcontractors, ensuring timely delivery and compliance with quality standards.
• Conduct rigorous reviews of construction method statements to determine optimal construction methodologies and ensure proper implementation on site.
• Lead the project team in strictly implementing the Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE) management system.
• Coordinate, standardize, and optimize planning interfaces between different project disciplines to ensure seamless integration and efficient execution.
• Continuously improve project-specific planning and claims procedures to adapt to evolving project requirements and industry standards.

• For projects utilizing various analytical methods (including window analysis, time impact analysis, and as-planned vs. as-built analysis), prepare comprehensive claim documentation to support claims and facilitate dispute resolution.
• Demonstrate long-term strategic planning capability in project implementation by systematically identifying potential risks and obstacles and developing effective contingency plans.
• Actively participate in meetings with clients and contractors, acting as a key liaison responsible for monitoring and discussing project progress.
• Prepare comprehensive project progress reports, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and provide actionable insights to project stakeholders.
• Continuously review and update project procedures to accommodate evolving project requirements and emerging industry best practices.
• Fluent English and Chinese in speaking, reading, and writing, with the ability to use English as the working language for business negotiations, technical documentation, and cross-cultural team communication.