Development Director

JOB DESCRIPTION / ROLE

Employment: Full Time

At Mace, our purpose is to redefine the boundaries of ambition. We believe in creating places that are responsible, bringing transformative impact to our people, communities, and societies across the globe. To learn more about our purpose, culture, and priorities, visit our strategy site. https://strategy.macegroup.com/2026-business-strategy/p/1

Within our consult business we harness our unique combination of leading-edge practical expertise and project delivery consultancy to unlock the potential in every project.

The project:

This is an opportunity to work with a professional team in UAE.

Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey, they are:

Safety first - Going home safe and well:

• You will be an advocate of Mace's value of Safety First, and be accountable for leading and maintaining exceptional safety, quality, cost, programme, sustainability, and compliance standards for the design resources you manage.
• You will possess technical expertise in local Health and Safety rules and regulations relevant to project portfolio.
• You will champion a diverse and inclusive working environment and understand the importance of the wellbeing of the people you manage.

Client focus – Deliver on our promise:

• Act as the day-to-day operational manager for any design managers or other design management resource deployed to projects.
• You will be responsible for leading the delivery of design management to deliver key strategic outcomes & sub-function KPIs, directly influencing strategic development.
• You will be the main point of contact for client design issues, ensuring relationships are managed and maintained.

Integrity – Always do the right thing:

• You will implement and execute the design management system, processes and protocols to meet statutory, legal, and contractual requirements.
• You will support the long-term development of strategy for a function or Business Unit (BU), creating a sustainable business future.
• You will commit to making a positive impact for our people, our clients, and our planet, and take ownership for holding others to account who do not uphold the Mace values.

Create opportunities for our people to excel:

• You will mentor, coach, and develop your project team and provide an environment to share knowledge and experience.
• You will actively network, innovate, and seek understanding of best practice, utilising the full depth of knowledge of Mace Group, the Centres of Excellence, Mace Way Control Centre and Knowledge Hub.
• You will use your network to support business development and work winning activities.
• You’ll be responsible for:
• Oversees project timeframes and project budgets, and ensures budgets are managed diligently and highlights any risks, challenges and mitigations.
• On behalf of external/third-party clients oversee the project management of the project/s on an individual and team basis from inception to post-completion.
• Ensures the successful delivery of the project in line with all stakeholders’ expectations communicating strategies to the wider client/ consultant/contractor team.
• Promotes Mace's value of Safety First, exhibiting visible safety behaviours, sharing lessons learned and using safety moments and Mace's HSW framework. Supports the safety and wellbeing of all Mace staff.
• Provides subject matter expertise and guidance to support the success of the broader Mace projects.
• Oversees management of the client and consultant team and all external/project stakeholders to ensure effective completion of the project in line with client expectations. Actively drives collaboration between all parties.
• Produces design and authorities programme to be integrated with procurement and delivery programme.
• Manages the timely delivery to programme from project inception/brief, through design development and planning, contractor procurement and construction phase in accordance with the overall delivery program and agreed project milestones.
• Manages the timely sequencing/methodology and production of staging plans.
• Performs two to five of the following non-project related roles; such as business reporting, pipeline management, bidding, business development, resourcing, commercial strategy & maximising our commercial position, managing Mace contract, contract extensions, cross-selling, invoicing, debt collection and P&L responsibility and other as directed by the Senior Leadership Team.
• Aligns to strategy to place construction to production, digital and data, service excellence, quality, assurance and sustainability at the heart of our delivery.
• Partners with multiple internal and external stakeholders, working in collaboration to (implement strategy/programmes/initiatives).
• Manages, influences & negotiates with key senior external stakeholders (up to c-suite).
• Actively networks and seeks understanding of best practice, utilising the full depth of knowledge of Mace Group, the Centres of Excellence, Mace Way Control Centre and Knowledge Hub.
• Delivers continuous improvements in processes through application of best practices and lessons learned.
• Manages a number of Senior Managers, Managers and Assistant Managers.
• Works collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition, and share responsibility for the proactive identification and management of the associated carbon emissions and reductions during the delivery of work.

Requirements:

You’ll need to have:

• Experience working in the United Arab Emirates is essential for client approval.
• Leads others effectively, gives clear direction, coaches and supports others to reach their full potential.
• Mentors and develops the project team; provides a safe work environment to learn and mature.
• Adapts and reacts well to changing priorities and requirements.
• Demonstrates a better perspective and explores innovative approaches, in pursuit of a better way.
• Embraces new technology and helps others to adapt.
• Takes responsibility for their actions, leads by example and acts in an ethical, legal and responsible way.
• Understands personal strengths and seeks training/learning/ support where necessary.
• Recognises and activity pursues the collective power of diverse and inclusive teams.
• Champions and operates within an inclusivity environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills to manage relationships with key stakeholders.

You’ll also have:

• MCIOB/MAPM/MRICS/MICE (or local equivalent).
• Experience in the successful construction delivery phase of projects and programmes.
• Demonstrable evidence of deep project management expertise.
• Tertiary qualifications in related (project management and/or construction related discipline), non-related degree or equivalent professional experience/apprenticeship, combined with a demonstrable intermediate level of role knowledge.
• Appropriate Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card (or equivalent local safety certification).

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all the criteria, please apply as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Mace is an international consultancy and construction company that has delivered world class projects since 1990. Today we employ over 6,000 people across five global hubs in Europe, Middle East North Africa and India, North America, Asia Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Four simple values guide our behaviour in our pursuit of a better way; Safety first - going home safe and well, Client focus - deliver on our promise, Create opportunity - for our people to excel, Integrity - always doing the right thing. We aim to attract the best and brightest people, whatever their background, to bring new perspectives to some of the most complex and inspiring projects around the world.

We support our people who are aiming to achieve an academic or professional qualification that will help them develop personally and deliver to the highest standard for our clients. At Mace you can deepen your knowledge, expand your skills and define your own path.

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