Senior Manager - Project
AD Ports Group Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage · 1,001-5,000 employees
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About the role
The Senior Manager will lead the end-to-end planning, design, and construction of the Fujairah port expansion project while ensuring safety, budget, and quality standards. They are responsible for managing consultants, contractors, and project stakeholders to ensure seamless integration with ongoing port operations.
What they look for
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in Civil, Marine, or Structural Engineering with 12-15 years of relevant experience in large-scale port or marine infrastructure projects. Proficiency in English and Arabic is required, along with strong knowledge of FIDIC contracts and project management methodologies.
Full description
Lead the planning, design, construction, commissioning and handover of the Fujairah port expansion works within the Ports Cluster ETS team, ensuring safe delivery on time, within budget and to the required quality standards, with minimal disruption to ongoing port operations.
Responsibilities
- Manage end-to-end delivery of the Fujairah expansion project (marine works, quay walls, dredging and reclamation, terminal yards, buildings and utilities) from design through construction, testing, commissioning and handover, in alignment with the Ports Cluster's strategic objectives.
- Define and control the project’s scope of work, master schedule, budget and resources (personnel, equipment and materials) to meet the Ports Cluster’s operational and capacity requirements.
- Control project risks, interfaces and claims, and define mitigation plans to ensure project success.
- Manage design consultants, supervision consultants and contractors, including contract administration (FIDIC), variations, progress payments and performance.
- Evaluate project performance and develop corrective actions to ensure projects stay on track.
- Review progress reports, design submissions and technical documentation, and offer expertise with regards to project activities, performance, issues and recommendation plans.
- Ensure project compliance with Group governance, ETS procedures, contractual requirements, and applicable UAE and Fujairah regulatory, environmental and permitting requirements.
- Promote HSE culture and enforce HSE standards across all project sites and contractors, including works within live port operations.
- Coordinate with Fujairah port operations to plan phasing, interfaces and the seamless transition of new facilities into operation.
- Direct maintaining accurate and up-to-date project records, including design, contract, as-built and handover documentation.
People Management Responsibilities:
- Mentor a diverse team of project engineers, site engineers and project controls specialists, cultivating a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
- Drive a collaborative and inclusive work environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and high performance.
- Identify skill gaps and training requirements for the teams to ensure consistent high performance.
Strategic Responsibilities:
- Implement the Ports Cluster’s expansion strategy and capital programme for Fujairah to increase port capacity and strengthen its market position and competitiveness.
- Identify emerging port engineering and construction trends, technologies and best practices to propose innovative and value-engineered solutions.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including Fujairah government entities and authorities, terminal operators, consultants and contractors.
Recommend and implement process improvement measures.
Qualifications
Educational and Technical Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Civil, Marine or Structural Engineering, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
- Professional certifications in project management (PMP, PRINCE2) highly desirable.
- Chartered/registered engineer status and UAE Society of Engineers registration preferred.
Language Skills:
- Proficiency in English (written and spoken).
- Proficiency in Arabic is imperative for effective communication with local stakeholders.
Years of Experience:
- A minimum of 12-15 years of experience in a similar role, including at least 5 years managing major port, marine or infrastructure projects
Nature of Experience:
- Proven experience managing large-scale port and marine infrastructure projects (quay walls, breakwaters, dredging and reclamation, terminal yards), preferably expansion works within live operating ports.
- Profound knowledge of Port, Maritime, and Logistics operations, including industry regulations, FIDIC contracts and best practices.
- Demonstrated track record of successfully delivering projects on time, within budget, and meeting quality standards.
- Cultural sensitivity and adaptability.
- Strong analytical and research skills.
- Experience with presenting information to groups and managing projects.
- Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills to identify and address complex challenges and opportunities and make data-driven decisions.
- Demonstrated success in driving strategic initiatives that result in business growth.
SECTION IV: KEY INTERACTIONS
Key Internal Contacts:
Purpose of Interaction:
- Operations
- Finance
- Legal
- Procurement
- HSE
- Ensure seamless project alignment.
- Prepare reports.
- Resolve issues that might arise.
Key External Contacts:
Purpose of Interaction:
- Consultants and contractors
- Fujairah government entities and terminal operators
- Regulatory authorities
- Facilitate project execution and compliance
