Engineering and Projects Director

Fives Services Gulf is actively seeking an experienced Engineering and Projects Director to join our team in UAE.

At Fives, we are all driven by a common calling, to prove that industry can do it!

We work together daily to make industry an answer to all of the major technological, environmental, social and economic challenges of our time. 

How do we do that?

For over 200 years, we’ve invented and designed solutions and technologies that substantially and sustainably improve everyone’s daily life. 

Fives Services Gulf is the Fives service Centre for the Middle East, with a team of 150 people based in Bahrain, Dubai and Saudi Arabia, Fives Services Gulf provides local customer service, project execution support and local parts sourcing, in addition to carrying out refit and modernization projects, audits and technical assistance on customer sites. A team is also dedicated to the maintenance of equipment in operation at our customers' plants. 

We are committed, fulfilled and give meaning to our mission, which is to work together to develop new solutions for the industry of tomorrow: an industry that respects the environment and helps to make the world a better place. 

JOB CONTENT

It is with you, that industry can do it!

Fives Services Gulf (FSG) are looking for an experienced Engineering and Projects Director to lead the delivery of Engineering activity and Projects related to Fives Services Gulf. While based in the UAE, the position will oversee the project and engineering teams located in Bahrain and the UAE.

The role requires a strong leader capable of managing technical project execution, overseeing the delivery of all projects and operational activities in alignment with FSG's strategic and operational objectives. This role holds full accountability for the Engineering and Project Execution, within Fives Services Gulf. The position requires managing multiple complex projects simultaneously, often with overlapping timelines and varying client and technical requirements. The Engineering and Projects Director will lead a diverse team of approximately 20 professionals, ensuring effective coordination, resource allocation, and adherence to company policies, industry regulations, and quality standards.

The Engineering and Projects Director will have Strategic Oversight for the FSG UAE based team, promoting alignment and collaboration within the local team while representing the company to key clients in the region. Although the sales and support services staff report through separate organizational lines, the position will provide functional leadership and guidance across these teams.

This position reports directly to the Managing Director for the Gulf Region and plays a critical role in connecting sales, projects, spare parts, HSEQ, across the Gulf region.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Engineering

• Provide strategic direction and technical oversight for all engineering activities to ensure alignment with project requirements, safety standards, and client specifications.
• Ensure manuals and technical documents are regularly updated and shared to equip users with the necessary knowledge to execute tasks safely and efficiently.
• Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities within engineering workflows to enhance productivity and quality.
• Foster a strong relationship with ethe Product Offices Engineering teams (based in France)
• Identify areas for automation and digitization to drive efficiencies in day to day working practices and lead the implementation of automation/digitization strategies and solutions for the Execution department to drive continuous improvement to enhance the department’s capabilities and service offering

• Project Execution

• Responsible for overseeing the execution of projects and ensuring delivery is in line with the technical scope, specifications, budgets, timelines, and regulatory standards
• Oversee the project execution teams based in the UAE and Bahrain, ensuring effective remote collaboration.
• Ensure project activities align with customer expectations, FSG safety standards and quality requirements.
• Collaborate with spare parts and workshop teams to ensure seamless service delivery.

• Strategy & Operations

• Responsible for defining, developing and implementing the operating framework and policies and procedures for the Execution Department and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, Fives standards and international best practices
• Responsible for overseeing the planning, scheduling and execution of daily operations of the department to ensure that work/tasks are performed accurately and efficiently in conformance with established methods, instructions and quality standards, and results are reported in a timely manner as per Company policies and procedures and/or customer requirements
• Develop and create the required strategies to ensure the department can meet the operational requirements of Fives Services Gulf to support achievement of operational and strategic objectives
• Responsible for managing, reviewing and monitoring the financial performance of the department including but not limited to managing the P&L and developing CAPEX and OPEX budgets
• Participate in the candidate selection process and ensure all recruitment activities within area of responsibility are completed as per Fives Services Gulf recruitment policies and procedures
• Set and agree individual goals for all direct reports and evaluate individual performance providing regular feedback and coaching in line with Fives people management practices
• Ensure compliance with all relevant (internal and external) regulations including HSEQ requirements using Company policies and procedures as appropriate
• Responsible for developing and implementing plans for cost reduction and driving efficient and effective practices and procedures to continuously improve and enhance the department’s capabilities and operations

• Customer Relations & Local Business Focus:

• Establish and maintain a strong rapport with key customers in the Gulf.
• Act as the primary point of contact for customers in the UAE regarding project execution and service delivery.
• Working closely with the sales team, support business development efforts by identifying local opportunities and ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Represent the company in local meetings, technical discussions, and commercial negotiations.

• UAE Based Leadership & Team Building:

• Direct reports including Project Supervisors, Project Managers and other project execution roles. Dotted line reports include Business Development Managers, Spare Part Coordinators, HR Roles and administrative staff.
• Foster a strong team spirit, ensuring collaboration across functions and a sense of belonging.
• Promote a positive office culture, ensuring UAE employees are aligned with company values and objectives.
• Ensure effective communication and integration between the UAE office and the main team in Bahrain.
• Oversee daily office operations, ensuring smooth coordination between departments.

• Regional Coordination & Reporting:

• Collaborate closely with the Managing Director to align the UAE operations with the overall Gulf regional strategy.
• Provide regular updates and performance reports on projects, team activities, and customer relations.
• Ensure UAE activities are fully integrated into the regional business structure (UAE is not a separate subsidiary).

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering (Master’s degree preferred).
• 10+ years of experience in project execution and engineering services, preferably in the aluminum or heavy industrial sectors.
• Proven leadership experience managing distributed teams.
• Strong understanding of project execution services and customer support in an aluminum industry setting (Potroom cranes and Green Anode Plant).
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills.
• Ability to manage cross-border operations and frequent travel between the UAE and Bahrain (50/50 time split).
• Fluent in English; French proficiency is an advantage.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Successful and timely execution of projects and engineering services across FSG operations.
• Customer satisfaction and relationship development in the UAE and other Gulf countries.
• Effective leadership and cohesion of the UAE office team.
• Coordination and alignment with the main team in Bahrain.
• Contribution to business development and local market presence.
• Maintaining high standards of operational excellence, safety, and compliance.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Hands-on and pragmatic leader with a proactive attitude.
• Strong interpersonal and team-building skills.
• Strategic thinker with a focus on operational execution.
• High level of cultural sensitivity and adaptability.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities.

Why come to Fives?  

By becoming part of Fives, you will be joining an international group that will provide you access to numerous opportunities for growth and mobility, in a wide number of fields.  

We will give you room to learn, grow and develop, both professionally and personally, thanks to our onboarding, learning & development and the support programs.

Industry can do it with you!