Business Group Leader - Architecture & Design

Business Group Leader - Architecture & Design

United Arab Emirates

GHD

About Us: GHD is a global professional services company that leads through engineering, architecture, environmental, and construction services. We are committed to solving the world's biggest challenges in the areas of water, energy, and urbanization.

Role Purpose: We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Business Group Leader to lead our Design and Planning Business Group in the UAE. This role focuses on performance and work winning in the architectural, landscape, and interior design consulting industry. The successful candidate will provide strategic vision and guide the direction of travel for group development, promoting success through the delivery of projects that meet or exceed client expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure the safety and well-being of GHD’s people and visitors within the Business Group.
• Develop and implement the Business Group strategy and business plan.
• Lead the development of GHD’s performance and work-winning culture within the Business Group.
• Collaborate with Technical Service Leaders to develop short and long-term capability, supporting future growth.
• Contribute to GHD’s corporate profile development in the Business Group’s Market Sector(s).
• Lead the development and execution of market strategies and client pursuit plans.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships and work-winning efforts.
• Monitor the technically and commercially sound delivery of projects, promoting client satisfaction.
• Support and coach Team Leaders to achieve utilization, engagement, and performance targets.
• Develop and mentor Project Managers and Project Directors to deliver quality work on time and within budget.
• Manage risk in compliance with GHD policies and guidelines.
• Promote innovation within the Business Group, including the deployment of data-led solutions harnessing automated, digital, and technological solution delivery.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Strong domain knowledge and experience in Design and Planning disciplines.
• Ability to set direction, communicate strategy, and inspire confidence.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and influencing skills with all levels of management.
• Capacity to plan, lead, and manage within a 1-3 year time horizon.
• Ability to deal with complexity and ambiguity in an operational environment.
• Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to delegate and develop immediate reports into viable future successors.
• Strong reputation within the market/sector and technical area, credible with target clients.
• Proven experience in successful work-winning, pipeline development, and client acquisition.
• Experience in developing and implementing business strategies and plans, driving performance.
• 15+ years of industry experience with direct experience in a similar role.
• Strong track record of leading and managing medium-sized teams (20-50) and achieving performance targets.

KPIs:

• Meet and exceed the business group’s budget revenue for the financial year.
• Contribute to shared rolling backlog target for the UAE region.
• Contribute to shared UAE FTEs target.
• Promote HSEQ standards and achieve specific related KPIs.
• Achieve People function KPIs related to quarterly check-ins and quality performance and development goals of direct reports and broader business group members.

How to Apply: If you are a strategic leader with a passion for design and planning and a proven track record of driving performance, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your resume and cover letter.