Operations Director - KEO International Consultants

Overview:

KEO is a creative enterprise where innovation is a way of life. We are uniquely resourced with end-to-end services to take clients from inspiration through conceptualization to realization of planning design or project delivery in the built and natural environments. For over 60 years we've led with vision contributing to many of the world's most ambitious projects, iconic places, remarkable experiences, and prosperous communities.

As a highly integrated and agile AEP/PMCM firm, KEO is recognized by ENR as one of the Top 225 International Design Firms and one of the Top 20 International PM/CM Firms. We are also ranked by World Architecture as the 51st largest global architecture firm and the #1 Firm in the Middle East Region in their 2024 WA100 Survey.

We invite you to join us.

Why:

When you join KEO, you'll discover more than just a job; you'll find a supportive environment that fosters your professional development through internal global mobility and career development. This is within a culture that supports company-wide health and wellbeing through on-demand counselling services and regular workplace clinics. You will be invited to celebrate community events such as sports days, fun runs, in-house sports teams, and beach clean-ups. In addition to your competitive package and benefits, you will have access to a suite of policies that include hybrid working arrangements, individual athletic sponsorship, study assistance sponsorship, and employee referral rewards.

Responsibilities:

Our newest opportunity is for a talented Operations Director to join our award-winning team in the UAE. This role is responsible for overseeing aspects of the internal operations of the Infrastructure Division in direct support to the Managing Director. You will lead on financial control, budgeting, resource forecasting, and divisional efficiency.

We envisage success in this role to include:

1. Assisting the Managing Director in achieving the overall operational and financial strategy and performance targets of the Division.
2. Assisting the Managing Director in defining and ensuring execution of business strategies to optimise the performance of the business units in terms of delivery to the Client and quality standards in all work outputs.
3. Working alongside the Managing Director and Directors to lead regular reviews of project performance and commercial analysis (working with the Project Controls Team).
4. Assisting the Managing Directors, Infrastructure Directors, and Directors with Business Development on bid analysis and commercial efforts. Seek to identify potential new clients, markets, and projects. Cultivate client relationships and contribute to the growth of the infrastructure projects portfolio globally.
5. Participating in business development activities including tender, financial, and technical proposal preparation and presentations.
6. Working with Directors and Managers to continually assess technical skills versus needs and implement measures to ensure optimal technical capability of the division. Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in infrastructure engineering, developing strategies for the implementation of new systems of working.
7. Driving performance through leading a team of professional employees towards achievement of strategic objectives.
8. Identifying appropriate solutions to complex issues by applying strategic management tools.
9. Overseeing contract negotiations, management of variation orders, disputes, and claims.
10. Developing and seeking to continually improve Project Management tools, procedures, systems, and analysis.
11. Overseeing and directing the preparation of plans and controls financial budgets and team resources in order to deliver required commercial outcomes.
12. Overseeing and directing complex project programmes and project contracts.
13. Ensuring project standards and BMS procedures are implemented across each of the technical areas involved in the project including project administration.
14. Analysing existing work processes, procedures, and systems, identifying opportunities for increased efficiencies, cost-effectiveness, and service improvements.
15. Preparing monthly Divisional Performance Reports and presenting monthly performance to the KEO Executive and to the Infrastructure Division Management Team.
16. Leading a team of professional employees, driving increased organisational performance and achievement of team goals.
17. Ensuring terms of the contract are followed and managing scope changes and their effect on delivery of project objectives.
18. Responsible for coordinating business development initiatives, QMS implementation, and ensuring technical delivery of the highest quality across the business units.
19. Responsible in partnership with the Divisional Directors for technical resource planning, recruiting, and management to ensure that the technical capabilities of the branch meet current and future project needs.

Qualifications:

To be successful in this dynamic opportunity, we envision that your career journey to date will include at least 15 years of work experience partnered with a Bachelor/Master's degree and will be a Chartered Engineer (UK) or PE (USA) with Full Corporate Membership of an internationally recognized professional Institution (i.e., C. Eng. M.I.C.E. or P.E.). PMP Certification would be advantageous.

KEO's performance is founded upon integrity, results, innovation, safety, and our people. We embrace diversity and recognize its contribution to client success wherever we work.

We are excited to hear how you can partner with our award-winning team and treat all expressions of interest confidentially.