Director of Quality I Real Estate I Al Futtaim Construction

Job Requisition ID: 165714 

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 Director of Quality is responsible for establishing, implementing, and overseeing quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) processes across all construction projects. This role focuses on achieving “Right First Time” standards, minimizing material wastage, and ensuring compliance with quality standards, including ISO 9001 and industry best practices. The Director leads efforts to ensure all construction activities align with stringent quality benchmarks, regulatory requirements, and client expectations, reducing rework and maximizing cost efficiency. This role requires a proactive approach to identifying and addressing quality risks, managing site inspections, and instilling a quality-first culture across project teams.

What will you do:

Responsible for:

Selection and Management of Quality Consultants and Contractors

• Define Selection Criteria and Market Evaluation: Identify and onboard quality consultants and contractors who meet rigorous construction quality standards.
• Consultant and Contractor Performance Monitoring: Ensure partners meet key quality standards and compliance with ISO and other industry benchmarks.

Development and Enforcement of Quality Standards in Construction

• Establish Construction Quality Standards: Define and enforce quality standards based on ISO 9001, ISO 14001 (environmental), and best practices specific to construction.
• Monitor Quality Compliance on Site: Ensure that all construction activities meet set quality standards, focusing on “Right First Time” practices to minimize rework.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control Audits

• Conduct Site and Process Audits: Perform regular QA/QC audits on-site and for off-site activities, focusing on compliance with ISO and other relevant standards.
• Address Non-Conformances: Identify non-compliances during audits, ensuring corrective actions are implemented promptly to maintain quality integrity.

Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) for Construction Quality

• Develop CAPA Protocols: Establish and implement CAPA procedures to address recurring quality issues, using industry standards and ISO guidelines to prevent reoccurrence.
• Monitor Effectiveness of CAPA Initiatives: Track CAPA results on construction quality outcomes, making adjustments as necessary.

Continuous Improvement of QA/QC Processes in Construction

• Identify Opportunities for Quality Process Improvements: Continuously review construction quality management practices, integrating ISO 9001, ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety), and best practices to streamline quality management.
• Implement Cost-Efficiency Initiatives: Introduce initiatives to improve material efficiency, reduce waste, and maintain cost-effective quality control.

Regulatory and Client Compliance Management in Construction

• Ensure Compliance with Standards and Client Requirements: Oversee that all projects meet relevant regulatory standards, including ISO 9001, local construction regulations, and client-specific requirements.
• Coordinate Regulatory Inspections: Facilitate inspections and obtain necessary client and regulatory approvals promptly, ensuring project adherence to all requirements.

Team Leadership and Development in Quality Management

• Lead and Develop On-Site Quality Teams: Provide direction, mentorship, and development opportunities to on-site QA/QC managers and inspectors, fostering a proactive quality-first culture.
• Implement Training on Industry Standards: Conduct regular training sessions on ISO 9001, lean practices, and effective quality management specific to the construction industry.

Job Context:

The Director of Quality is a key leadership role within a main construction contractor company, focused on achieving superior quality standards in construction projects. This position is instrumental in ensuring projects adhere to “Right First Time” principles, minimizing material wastage, and maintaining compliance with international quality standards, such as ISO 9001. Operating within a high-stakes, regulated environment, this role is vital for aligning construction activities with the company’s strategic objectives, regulatory standards, and client requirements, while fostering a quality-centric culture on-site.

Required skills to be successful:

Job-Specific Skills:

• Construction Quality Standards and Compliance: Expertise in implementing and monitoring ISO standards and best practices specific to the construction industry.
• Audit and Inspection Management: Proficient in conducting QA/QC audits, site inspections, and identifying and addressing quality issues.
• Material Efficiency and Waste Reduction: Skilled in managing material usage, reducing waste, and driving cost-efficiency on construction sites.
• Team Leadership and Training: Experienced in leading QA/QC teams and providing training on ISO standards and quality best practices.
• Software Proficiency: Proficient in MS Office and quality management software, with experience in construction-specific tools.

Behavioural Competencies:

• Attention to Detail: Ensures precision in quality standards, essential in the construction environment.
• Problem-Solving: Quickly addresses on-site quality issues, maintaining construction timelines and standards.
• Leadership: Provides clear, proactive leadership, promoting a culture of “Right First Time” among on-site teams.
• Communication: Excellent communicator, conveying complex quality standards and expectations to internal and external stakeholders.

What equips you for the role:

Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Quality Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
• Certifications in quality management (e.g., ISO 9001 Lead Auditor), Lean Six Sigma, or other relevant accreditations in construction quality.

Minimum Experience:

• 10 to 15 years of proven experience in QA/QC management in the construction industry, with a focus on large-scale projects.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 standards, as well as local regulatory codes and industry best practices in construction quality.

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.