Head of Construction & Project Development

The Head of Construction & Project Development will provide overall leadership for the end-to-end delivery of construction and development projects, covering project planning, design coordination, permitting, procurement, contractor engagement, construction execution, testing and commissioning, completion, and final turnover.

The role will oversee multiple projects and work closely with internal business units, consultants, contractors, suppliers, and senior management to ensure projects are delivered on time, within approved budget, according to scope and quality standards, and ready for operational use.

This position requires a senior construction professional with strong experience in large-scale retail, commercial development, property, or conglomerate environments, preferably with experience managing multiple sites or large-format facilities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Project Planning & Development

• Lead the end-to-end planning and delivery of construction and development projects from project initiation through final turnover.
• Translate business and operational requirements into clear project scope, development plans, timelines, budgets, and delivery strategies.
• Evaluate project requirements, site conditions, development constraints, and construction considerations.
• Establish project milestones, schedules, resource requirements, and governance processes.
• Identify project risks at an early stage and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Provide management with regular updates on project progress, risks, costs, timelines, and critical decisions.

2. Design & Pre-Construction

• Lead coordination with architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders during the design and pre-construction stages.
• Review architectural, structural, civil, MEPF, and other technical plans to ensure alignment with project requirements.
• Ensure designs consider constructability, cost efficiency, operational requirements, safety, and applicable standards.
• Coordinate permitting, approvals, technical documentation, and other pre-construction requirements.
• Establish appropriate scopes of work, technical specifications, and project requirements for contractor procurement.
• Participate in contractor pre-qualification, technical evaluation, bidding, negotiations, and award recommendations.

3. Construction & Project Execution

• Provide overall leadership and direction throughout the construction phase.
• Monitor project progress against approved scope, schedule, budget, quality, and safety requirements .
• Manage and coordinate general contractors, subcontractors, consultants, suppliers, and other project partners.
• Conduct regular site inspections, progress reviews, and coordination meetings.
• Identify and resolve construction issues, delays, technical concerns, and potential cost impacts.
• Ensure proper coordination among project teams, contractors, consultants, and internal business stakeholders.
• Review project variations, change orders, claims, progress billings, and other project-related commercial matters.
• Ensure construction activities are executed in accordance with approved plans, specifications, contracts, and company standards.

4. Cost & Commercial Management

• Develop, monitor, and manage project budgets and CAPEX requirements.
• Ensure projects remain within approved financial parameters.
• Monitor project costs, variations, change orders, claims, and potential cost overruns.
• Work closely with Procurement and Finance on contractor appointments, procurement activities, project expenditures, and commercial matters.
• Review contractor agreements, commercial terms, and project variations.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization without compromising safety, quality, functionality, or project timelines.

5. Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Establish and maintain appropriate construction quality standards across projects.
• Ensure compliance with applicable building codes, permits, government regulations, safety requirements, and company policies.
• Monitor contractor compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality requirements.
• Ensure proper documentation and reporting of project compliance.
• Lead the resolution of major technical, safety, quality, and regulatory issues.

6. Testing, Completion & Turnover

• Lead project completion activities from construction close-out through final turnover.
• Coordinate inspections, testing and commissioning, punch-list completion, rectification, and final acceptance.
• Ensure contractors complete all outstanding works within agreed timelines.
• Ensure required permits, warranties, as-built drawings, manuals, certificates, and other close-out documentation are completed.
• Coordinate the final handover of completed facilities to Operations and other relevant business units.
• Ensure facilities are operationally ready and meet agreed business and technical requirements.
• Conduct post-project reviews and implement lessons learned into future projects.

7. Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the senior construction and project escalation point for management.
• Work closely with Operations, Procurement, Finance, Legal, Engineering, Business Development, and other corporate functions.
• Coordinate with external consultants, contractors, government authorities, suppliers, and other project stakeholders.
• Present project status, risks, financial performance, and recommendations to senior management.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with key project partners and stakeholders.

8. Team Leadership

• Lead, manage, and develop the construction and project management team.
• Establish clear responsibilities, KPIs, performance standards, and accountability structures.
• Provide technical and managerial guidance to project teams.
• Build a high-performance project delivery culture focused on execution, quality, safety, cost discipline, and timely completion.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects and geographically dispersed project teams as required.
  

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field .
• Licensed Civil Engineer or Architect is highly preferred.
• At least 12–15 years of progressive experience in construction, project management, property development, or related fields.
• Proven experience managing end-to-end construction projects from planning and design through construction and final turnover .
• Experience in large-format retail, wholesale, commercial development, property development, or a major conglomerate is strongly preferred.
• Experience with new store development, large commercial facilities, warehouses, distribution facilities, malls, or similarly complex projects is an advantage.
• Proven experience managing general contractors, subcontractors, consultants, suppliers, and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong knowledge of construction methodologies, project scheduling, cost management, contracts, quality control, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong understanding of civil, structural, architectural, MEPF, and building systems .
• Demonstrated experience managing CAPEX budgets, project variations, contractor claims, and commercial risks .
• Strong negotiation, problem-solving, decision-making, and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including the ability to engage effectively with senior management.
• Willingness to travel to project sites as required.