Vice President of Construction

Location Abu Dhabi
Discipline: Civil Engineering & Infrastructure, Construction and Project Management
Job type: Permanent
Salary: £Excellent package available
Contact name: Liam Maguire

Contact email: liam@blakeandersonrecruitment.com
Job ref: 39553_1773924900
Published: about 7 hours ago
Startdate: ASAP

We are seeking a highly accomplished Vice President of Construction to join a leading international construction organization delivering large-scale Oil & Gas, Civil, and Infrastructure projects.

This is a critical executive leadership role responsible for driving construction excellence across a global project portfolio, ensuring delivery against the highest standards of safety, quality, schedule, and profitability.


The Role

As VP of Construction, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple complex EPC projects-from tendering through execution and final delivery. You will act as a key authority on construction strategy, guiding project teams and influencing business-critical decisions at the highest level.

You will play a hands-on role in supporting project performance, resolving challenges, and ensuring alignment between engineering, procurement, and construction functions.


Key Responsibilities

Portfolio & Operational Leadership

  • Oversee mobilisation of major projects, including HSE, QA/QC, planning, and project management readiness
  • Support and enhance performance of project teams through execution, pre-commissioning, and commissioning stages
  • Drive improvements in HSSE, cost efficiency, quality, and delivery timelines
  • Lead executive-level project reviews and intervene in high-risk or underperforming projects
  • Contribute to tender evaluations and execution readiness strategies

Construction & EPC Excellence

  • Define and oversee construction strategies and methodologies across EPC projects
  • Provide expert guidance on constructability, modularisation, logistics, and heavy lifting operations
  • Ensure seamless integration between engineering, procurement, and site execution
  • Participate in key risk, design, and HSSE workshops

Client & Stakeholder Management

  • Act as a senior representative in engagements with clients, partners, and subcontractors
  • Lead resolution of complex contractual and operational challenges
  • Build and maintain strong strategic relationships across the industry

Leadership & Organisational Development

  • Shape and structure project teams across tender and execution phases
  • Ensure optimal deployment of resources, equipment, and technical capabilities
  • Foster a high-performance, accountable, and results-driven culture
  • Uphold governance, compliance, and ethical standards across all operations

Candidate Profile

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering OR Civil Engineering (or related discipline)
  • 20-25+ years' experience in large-scale construction, particularly within Oil & Gas and petrochemical sectors
  • Proven leadership experience on projects exceeding USD 500M
  • Strong EPC background with deep expertise in construction execution and delivery
  • Demonstrated success leading complex projects through commissioning and start-up
  • Expertise across project controls, planning, HSE, QA/QC, and cost management
  • Strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills, and client-facing experience
  • Experience managing multi-project portfolios at a senior level
  • Regional experience in the Middle East is advantageous, with broader international exposure preferred

Why This Role

This is an opportunity to step into a top-tier executive position, shaping the delivery of major international projects and influencing the strategic direction of a leading construction business.

If you are a results-driven construction leader with the ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels, this role offers the platform to make a significant impact.