Associate Director - Infrastructure Development & Design | Real Estate | Asset Development

Job Requisition ID: 165486 

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organization to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate. 

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day

Overview of the role
The Associate Director acts as the senior client-side manager, overseeing the successful execution of large-scale infrastructure design and construction projects. This role involves strategic planning, stakeholder coordination, and designer oversight to ensure timely, budget-conscious, and quality-driven project delivery. Contributing to multiple projects, the Associate Director provides detailed input on utilities, civil works, phasing, diversions, contract packaging, and tendering during the design and planning phases. During construction, they collaborate with the client delivery team, consultants, and contractors, ensuring technical oversight through regular site visits and direct engagement. The ideal candidate has a strong track record in delivering major infrastructure

projects from inception to completion.

What you will do

• Define project objectives, scope, and success criteria in collaboration with organizational leadership.
• Provide guidance and direction on utility design and civil works infrastructure, including logistics, packaging, approvals, procurement and buildability.
• Oversee the selection of consultants and contractors, to align with project goals.
• Maintain guardianship of sitewide infrastructure works to ensure all assets and plots are developed in alignment with the necessary standard and provisioning.
• Manage the procurement of designers and the design of the works, from input to masterplanning,  to concept, through construction and handover.
• Ensure alignment with the project brief, organizational standards, and client expectations.
• Participate in contract negotiations and oversee compliance with technical, regulatory, and contractual obligations and approvals.
• Maintain utility trackers for each service and manage provisioning for each plot in the masterplan 
• Make presentations regarding infrastructure design and delivery
• Provide guidance for infrastructure design standards and requirements
• Contribute to the production of RFPs for design consultants, undertake technical reviews of submissions, interviews and make recommendations.
• Review and manage designs from consultants.
• Input to tender documentation and contractor assessment and recommendations.
• Coordinate with and assist the Client’s construction delivery team in their administration and delivery of the works.
• Coordinate with the PMC / Cost Consultant site teams in the administration of the project works.
• Participate in meetings with the contractors for review of progress and technical matters.
• Support the site delivery teams in relation to their infra related Authority approvals 

Required Skills to be successful

• Minimum of 10+ years of experience in utility infrastructure / civil engineering, with substantial experience in client-side roles or as a consultant leading multi-disciplinary design teams
• Proven expertise in delivering large-scale and high-value infrastructure construction projects.
• Middle East experience of large-scale projects.

What equips you for the role

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or a related field. 

About Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate
The real estate development and operations arm of Al-Futtaim, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate is responsible for a multi-billion-dollar portfolio across MENA. With high-quality residential, business, retail, tourism, educational and healthcare developments, the master developer caters to the diverse needs of cities and communities in the region. From origination, conception, development, sales, procurement and construction of mega-projects and the leasing, operation and management of these projects after completion, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE) has been developing and managing owned landbanks, unlocking the economic potential of the region and contributing to future development for more than 40 years. 
Our focus is to enable and invest in meaningful relationships to make our properties the best places to live and work, build additional products and services and enable partnerships to create true value to our customers throughout their entire experience with us.
AFGRE is responsible for master planning of all projects in its portfolio, including two large scale mixed use destinations: Dubai Festival City and Cairo Festival City.