Construction Department Manager

General Description of Role and Responsibilities

• Ensure that projects are managed safely, effectively, efficiently, and delivered on time and within budget, in alignment with the client’s objectives.
• Manage and oversee all phases of construction projects—from planning and design to execution and completion.
• Ensure that contractors and supervision consultants follow established processes, procedures, and project management methodologies; establish and maintain risk registers for all projects.
• Assess the capability of the client’s existing project management and construction management staff and recommend appropriate roles and responsibilities.
• Develop and refine departmental operating structures (organizational charts, roles, responsibilities) as well as tools, systems, and best practices to be deployed.
• Develop and implement project plans, including budgets, schedules, and resource allocation.
• Coordinate and collaborate with architects, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure project requirements are met.
• Monitor and track project progress, identify potential issues or delays, and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, codes, and industry standards.
• Manage and negotiate contracts with suppliers, subcontractors, and vendors; maintain oversight of contractor and subcontractor compliance with contractual requirements.
• Provide regular updates and detailed reports to senior management, highlighting project status, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead, guide, and mentor a team of construction professionals.
• Implement, enforce, and monitor safety protocols to ensure a safe working environment.
• Support the preparation of scope of work for construction RFPs and site supervision contracts.
• Ensure that Project Execution Plans submitted by contractors are properly reviewed, covering all health, safety, and environmental aspects.
• Lead investigations into health, safety, security, and environmental incidents; update relevant data for monthly reports.
• Review resource allocation for new projects to ensure adequate staffing from contractors and supervision consultants.
• Report project progress, highlight concerns, propose solutions, and implement mitigation measures as required.
• Monitor progress against schedules and cost plans and escalate concerns when necessary.
• Review contractors’ and supervision consultants’ monthly reports.
• Prepare and issue monthly project dashboards and reports.
• Implement the project EDMS and ensure compliance with document management requirements.
• Ensure timely and accurate data entry into the project management information system (PMIS).
• Follow up on the implementation of agreed action plans and escalate unresolved issues to higher management.
• Review supervision consultants’ recommendations related to recovery plans, claims, and extension-of-time requests.
• Ensure timely submission of contractors’ monthly invoices; develop and update project cash flow forecasts and prepare variation estimates.
• Implement a labor-efficiency tracking system measuring achieved quantities against schedule durations, with capability for periodic reporting.
• Adhere to all Quality, Environmental, Safety, and Occupational Health policies, manuals, and procedures.
• Prepare and implement a comprehensive knowledge transfer program for the construction management department, including on‑the‑job learning.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the line manager or supervisor.

 

Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited university.
• Minimum of 20 years of experience in large-scale infrastructure or city development projects, leading to senior-level roles in construction management.
• Experience working on major government or semi-government international construction sites, with strong professional knowledge of site engineering, project controls, environment, health and safety, contracts management, and quality.
• Extensive experience in the construction management of water and wastewater projects.
• Proven track record of implementing a zero-accident safety philosophy.
• Demonstrated engagement and coordination with government entities and utility providers.
• Experience in continuous improvement initiatives and talent development in a construction environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• International work experience preferred (especially within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia).

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia