Country Head Construction

Location: UAE/Dubai hybrid

Type of work: Full-time

Smarter is a management company responsible for defining the overall strategy of investment activities and ensuring optimal management and development strategies for each business unit within the group. The main areas of activity and focus of our company include the international fintech community SFORS (https://sfors.com), the brokerage company Statok (https://statok.global), and the product company Pine Software (https://pinesoftware.com.cy)

We are looking for a senior-level construction professional to lead large-scale investment and development projects from concept to commissioning.

This role is responsible for end-to-end project delivery, including budgeting, scheduling, contractor management, regulatory compliance, and quality control, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.

The ideal candidate has strong experience in real estate development or capital construction, proven leadership skills, and the ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

Main Responsibilities:

Project Management and Coordination:

• Coordinate all active construction projects within the company, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and priorities. Provide overall leadership for project execution.

• Develop and monitor project master plans (schedule, budget, resources).

• Manage and oversee all stages of construction projects, from design through completion and commissioning.

• Coordinate all project activities, including reviewing design documentation, monitoring design solutions in collaboration with responsible external teams, such as external project manager, chief architects, and chief engineers.

• Facilitate effective collaboration between client departments, external teams (including external project manager), contractors, subcontractors, and regulatory authorities.

• Identify project risks and develop mitigation measures.

Construction Technical Supervision and Quality Control:

• Organize and supervise the design process.

• Ensure completion of required approvals and expert reviews.

• Monitor compliance with building codes, standards, HSE (Health, Safety, Environment) requirements.

• Implement and manage the technical supervision system across company sites.

• Review designs for compliance with technical, functional, and budget requirements.

• Ensure construction works comply with approved project documentation, technical specifications, building codes, quality standards, and safety requirements.

• Monitor contractors’ adherence to approved construction methods, materials, and equipment.

• Inspect work quality, identify defects, deviations, and violations, and ensure timely corrective actions.

• Supervise hidden works, critical structures, and participate in their acceptance.

• Manage changes in project and execution documentation (change management) and prevent unauthorized work without proper approvals or licenses.

• Coordinate architectural supervision and monitor implementation of designers’ comments.

• Ensure contractors comply with occupational safety, fire, and industrial safety requirements, with the authority to halt work in case of critical violations.

Project Monitoring and Control:

• Monitor key project parameters, including budget, schedule, scope, and quality of work.

• Review and validate project schedules, budgets, staff performance, and progress reports provided by external teams, including external project managers and partners.

• Identify technical, financial, and organizational risks and implement corrective actions to ensure timely project delivery.

• Conduct regular site inspections to verify compliance with technical, safety, and quality standards.

• Participate in progress meetings and technical reviews, as well as site surveys, to resolve issues promptly.

Interaction with Partners and External Stakeholders:

• Represent the company at meetings with external partners, consultants, contractors, and regulatory authorities, as required.

• Monitor external partners’ and contractors’ compliance with contract terms, achievement of key milestones, and agreed deliverables.

Contractor and Supplier Management:

• Select contractors, designers, and technical consultants.

• Conduct tenders independently or supervise the process, participate in negotiations, and analyze contracts.

• Monitor fulfillment of contractual obligations (timelines, quality, scope).

• Manage claims, scope changes, and additional works.

Contracts, Finance, and Documentation:

• Review, negotiate, and provide recommendations on construction contracts, agreements, and key commercial terms with support from the legal department, ensuring protection of company interests.

• Manage the processing and verification of payment applications, interim certificates, and final settlements in accordance with contract terms and internal procedures.

• Ensure systematic organization, updating, storage, and maintenance of project documentation and correspondence, including but not limited to drawings, permits, certificates, financial documents, and agreements.

  Reporting:

• Provide regular reports to shareholders / Executive Board on project status, financials, and key decisions.

Requirements

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Architecture, Building Systems or related discipline;

• At least 5 years of experience in capital construction / real estate development / construction project management;

• Proven hands-on experience managing large-scale investment projects (new construction/reconstruction/major renovation);

• Experience working with contractors, designers, technical supervision teams, and permit issuing authorities;

• Proficiency in Ukrainian and/or Russian; English proficiency at a level sufficient for both spoken and written communication.

Professional Competencies:

• In-depth understanding of the full construction project lifecycle;

• Knowledge of construction codes, standards, occupational health and safety, and fire safety requirements;

• Strong knowledge of laws and regulatory frameworks governing residential and commercial construction in Cyprus / Ukraine / UAE;

• Budgeting, cost control, and project financial management skills;

• Experience in schedule planning (master schedule), progress monitoring, and risk management;

• Ability to work with design and cost-estimate documentation;

• Experience with project handover and facility commissioning.

Management and Personal Skills:

• Strong project management and cross-functional leadership skills;

• Strong decision-making skills with full accountability for outcomes;

• Systematic thinking with a strong results-oriented mindset;

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills;

• Stress resilience and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Would Be an Advantage/Desired:

• Experience working in international companies;

• Experience in implementing standards, SOPs, and checklists;

• Project management certifications (PMP, PRINCE2, or similar);

• Knowledge of Greek (for the Project Manager CY position);

• Proficiency in AutoCAD software.