Executive Director - Infrastructure Projects

About the role

A senior executive search firm is supporting a confidential search for an Executive Director of Infrastructure Projects within a large, asset-intensive organization in the UAE. The role leads the planning, engineering and delivery of complex, large-scale infrastructure and capital projects across a multi-project environment, managing several project streams and senior teams while driving performance across engineering, project management and delivery.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end execution of large-scale infrastructure and capital projects across multiple programs
• Oversee engineering coordination, project governance and delivery frameworks
• Manage project portfolios, including prioritization, resource allocation and performance tracking
• Establish and implement best practices in project delivery, risk management and quality assurance
• Engage with consultants, contractors and regulatory entities to ensure smooth execution
• Drive continuous improvement and efficiency across project functions
• Provide leadership and direction to senior project teams and functional heads

Required profile

• Extensive experience in large-scale infrastructure, energy or complex engineering environments
• Proven track record managing high-value, multi-project portfolios
• Strong leadership experience overseeing senior teams and cross-functional stakeholders
• Background in engineering-led, asset-heavy organizations
• Solid understanding of project governance, contracts (e.g. EPC/FIDIC) and delivery frameworks
• Ability to operate at both strategic and execution levels
• Arabic speakers preferred; Emirati nationals highly preferred; candidates based in the UAE highly preferred, then GCC; others considered only if in a similar role in the same industry