Building Engineering Services Business Group Manager

Overview

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected. We are empowered to bring our authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day, fostering inclusion across our company and communities. Every role contributes to shaping communities and solving the world’s greatest challenges.

As part of HDR’s Building Engineering Services (BES) Group, this role provides leadership in delivering critical infrastructure across the Middle East and UK markets, with a focus on staff development, project delivery, financial performance, and business growth. The role is principally based in Dubai, with collaboration across the UK, EMEA, and global BES leadership. It involves leading multidisciplinary engineering teams (MEP and related disciplines) to deliver technically excellent and commercially successful projects.

This is a 50/50 operational and business development leadership role, requiring strong people leadership, commercial acumen, and technical credibility.

• Leadership & Team Management:
  Provide effective leadership and day-to-day management of the BES team, including utilisation, deployment, performance, and development.
• Lead recruitment, workforce planning, succession planning, and staff retention in line with current and future project demands.
• Conduct performance reviews, personal development plans, mentoring, and APC/chartership support.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture aligned with HDR values.

• Project & Technical Oversight:
  Support and oversee Project Leads to ensure projects are delivered to required technical, quality, programme, and commercial standards.
• Act as Project Lead / HDR Project Manager or Principal-in-Charge on large or complex projects where required.
• Ensure compliance with HDR design standards, QA/QC processes, and Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001 / 14001).
• Review and sign off key deliverables, reports, and technical outputs.

• Financial & Commercial Management:
  Maintain accountability for financial performance, including project job costing, profit and sales performance, resource utilisation, fee forecasts and backlog planning, debtor management, and post-project reviews.
• Provide quarterly and annual reporting to senior leadership.
• Actively manage risk, claims avoidance, and contract compliance.

• Business Development & Sales:
  Lead and support bids, proposals, and pursuits, including fee strategies, resourcing plans, and bid approvals.
• Drive growth across CRE, Hotel & Leisure, Finance, Aerospace, TMT and other sectors.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships and external partnerships.
• Represent HDR within industry associations and the wider market.
• Work closely with Market Sector Directors, Business Group leaders, and global BES teams to achieve growth objectives.

• Strategic & Operational Planning:
  Contribute to annual and long-term strategic planning and budgeting.
• Monitor operational metrics and performance across the region.
• Identify and prioritise strategic hires and capability development.
• Support cross-selling and collaboration across disciplines, regions, and business groups.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Planning, or a closely related field.
• 10–20+ years of industry experience, including senior leadership roles.
• Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong background in project delivery, commercial management, and business development.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams in complex, matrixed organisations.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Commitment to HDR’s employee-owned culture and values.

• Professional registration / chartered status (or actively pursuing).
• Technical background within Building Engineering Services (MEP).
• Experience working with Middle East clients and projects.
• Experience managing regional or international business group operations.
• Familiarity with project and design analysis software.

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