Head of Construction & Commissioning - MEAC

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Wood seeks a Head of Construction and Commissioning in Abu Dhabi to lead the construction and commissioning function for a major energy portfolio, ensuring safe, on time, and profitable delivery while guiding 50 to 200 engineering and field personnel. The role drives HSSEA, governance, strategy, and people development across project delivery, business development support, and systems improvement, with a strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration. The package includes medical and life cover, an end of service gratuity, an employee share plan, and the Energy Transition Academy. To apply, tailor your CV to prove complex EPCC delivery, leadership, and safety excellence, align with UAE or global projects, and map your achievements to Wood’s leadership pillars.

The Head of Construction and Commissioning is responsible for the operation of the Construction and Commissioning Function within an assigned business grouping or operating unit. 

Our Clients and Projects

Designing the future. Transforming the world. 

Wood's Oil, Gas & New Energies business is built on a strong legacy of delivering large and complex projects for national and international energy companies across the globe. We have experienced teams, a proven delivery model and a strong reputation.

We are the market-leading provider of integrated and innovative solutions that challenge the status-quo in the oil and gas upstream and midstream, onshore and offshore, gas to liquids and decarbonization and electrification markets. We pride ourselves in steady and predictable delivery, setting our sights on an exciting growth trajectory. 

Energy security, transition and supply have never been more important. You, our enabling teams, are at the very forefront of transformative projects that are providing sustainable power to generations to come. We are the ones to bring low-carbon concepts to reality.

What we can offer

• Meaningful and interesting projects: Delivered to high profile clients across the Energy Sector
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: We are an organization actively committed to diversity and inclusion across our business 
• Competitive remuneration package: With regular reviews to ensure we are rewarding at the right level in line with the market 
• Medical Insurance: Ensures inpatient, and outpatient medical care is available should you require treatment
• Group Life and Personal Accident Insurance: The company provides Life Assurance cover 
• End of Service Gratuity: In line with UAE Labor Law, all employees are eligible for an End of Service benefit
• The Employee Share Plan: Gives you the opportunity to purchase Wood shares and receive a match from the company
• Long Service Award: Wood values the commitment and loyalty of our people. Celebrating Long Service provides an opportunity for the business to demonstrate their appreciation of the hard work, dedication and many years’ services of our employees at 5 - year service milestones
• Commitment to continued professional development: Development plans that are tailored to your individual needs and interests 
• Global connections: Join experts around the world who are at the leading edge of our industry, shaping the standards of our profession 
• Energy Transition Academy: Join a community of experts sharing your knowledge and gaining more exposure to a variety of existing and emerging energy systems - delivered by experts in their field

The key objectives for this role are:

• Drives and assures delivery excellence in construction and commissioing activity across assigned business grouping. Accountable for functional management and development of construcion and commissioning resources and governance of construction and commissioning practices and procedures
• Has functional oversight of the performance of all construction and commissioning activity in their assigned business grouping
• The Head of Construction and Commissioning leads by example, consistently displaying and enforcing the Company’s values and behaviours, role modelling commitment to the highest standards of safe and ethical behaviour and creating an inclusive work environment., to ensure safe and reliable operations, on-time 
  delivery of executed work, and client satisfaction

1. Construction & Commissioning Delivery & Performance

Health, Safety, Security, Environment & Assurance (HSSEA)

• Drive a strong HSSEA culture and performance, with particular emphasis on: 
  • Site-based projects. 
  • HSSE input during design to minimize site risks. 
• Ensure the safe and secure delivery of projects while protecting contract margins. 

Project Delivery

• Ensure Construction Management effectively manages project scopes in accordance with: 
  • Company policies and procedures. 
  • Client contractual requirements. 
• Ensure Project Management and Project Controls effectively manage construction and commissioning scopes. 
• Ensure project risk management processes are consistently applied. 
• Ensure construction and commissioning proposals and projects are adequately resourced with qualified personnel. 
• Manage departmental overhead budgets and optimize resource utilization to minimize non-productive time. 
• Act as Project Sponsor for allocated projects, where required. 
• Lead construction and field commissioning involvement during both: 
  • Home office engineering. 
  • Field execution and operations. 

2. Strategy & Business Development

Business Growth

• Support business development activities to identify and secure new opportunities. 
• Identify opportunities to improve project margins. 
• Promote and strengthen the use of HVEC operations in project execution. 

Proposal & Bid Support

• Provide construction and commissioning input into proposals. 
• Demonstrate organizational capability and identify appropriate engineering and construction resources. 
• Provide technical support during bid preparation and bid reviews. 
• Identify and coordinate Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) where required. 

Systems Development

• Lead the development of the Construction Management System. 
• Collaborate with specialist software suppliers and discipline heads to improve construction management processes. 

3. People Management & Capability Development

Leadership

• Provide line management for direct reports. 
• Oversee all construction engineering and management personnel (typically 50–200 staff depending on workload). 
• Manage:  
  • Performance reviews 
  • Salary reviews 
  • Career progression 
  • Training and development 

Strategic Workforce Planning

• Set the vision and strategic direction for the Construction & Commissioning function. 
• Communicate strategic objectives aligned with the organization's: 
  • Mission  
  • Vision  
  • Values  
• Motivate teams to achieve business objectives. 

Resource Planning

• Determine future resource and capability requirements. 
• Support recruitment and selection of senior and key personnel. 
• Identify competency gaps and implement upskilling initiatives. 

Talent & Competency Development

• Oversee formal career development frameworks. 
• Ensure effective workforce planning using organizational resource histograms. 
• Ensure competence assurance across the Construction & Commissioning function.  
• Develop personnel to progress into more senior roles. 

Performance Management

• Set performance objectives for direct reports and wider team members. 
• Monitor and report team performance. 
• Implement corrective actions where necessary to achieve business objectives. 

Diversity & Inclusion

• Create an inclusive working environment. 
• Ensure recruitment, selection and development processes remain fair and free from bias. 

Resource Allocation

• Lead allocation of construction and field commissioning personnel to projects. 
• Support resource planning across the wider organization. 

4. Governance, Policies & Procedures

• Develop local Construction & Commissioning procedures aligned with Wood policies and standards. 
• Maintain familiarity with current technical applications used within Wood. 
• Optimize the use of construction and field commissioning technologies. 
• Participate in project and proposal management reviews. 

5. Working Relationships

Internal Stakeholders

Regular interaction with:

• Project Management teams 
• Project Controls 
• Site personnel 
• Engineering disciplines 
• Heads of Discipline (local and global offices) 
• Business Development teams 
• Proposal teams 
• Operational leadership 
• Functional leadership 
• Technical networks and Communities of Practice 

Key Responsibilities

• Support project execution excellence. 
• Secure new business opportunities. 
• Receive strategic and operational direction from leadership. 
• Promote company-wide best practices. 

External Stakeholders

Regular interaction with:

• Current and prospective clients 
• Customers  
• Vendors  
• Subcontractors  
• Construction management software suppliers 
• Industry bodies 
• Professional institutions 
• Auditors  
• Quality certification bodies 

Key Responsibilities

• Influence development of construction management software. 
• Adopt industry best practices. 
• Support quality assurance and compliance for construction and commissioning processes. 

6. Key Leadership Responsibilities (Summary)

The role is accountable for:

• Driving HSSEA excellence. 
• Delivering safe and profitable construction and commissioning projects. 
• Leading business development support and proposal activities. 
• Developing construction management systems and processes. 
• Managing large multidisciplinary construction teams. 
• Workforce planning and capability development. 
• Performance management and competency assurance. 
• Budget and resource optimization. 
• Governance, compliance and continuous improvement. 
• Building strong internal and external stakeholder relationships. 
• Supporting strategic growth and operational excellence. 

1. Qualifications

The successful candidate should possess:

• Minimum ISCED Level 6 (Bachelor's Degree) in: 
  • Engineering  
  • Science  
  • Or equivalent expertise gained through extensive industry experience. 
• Chartered Membership of a relevant professional institute/association or 
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) status or equivalent professional accreditation. 

2. Knowledge, Skills & Experience

The role requires significant experience and expertise in the following areas:

Technical & Industry Experience

• Extensive knowledge and practical experience in the construction and commissioning of complex projects. 
• Significant field-based construction experience within the relevant industry sector. 
• Strong understanding of: 
  • Engineering  
  • Procurement  
  • Construction  
  • Commissioning (EPCC) processes and tools. 

Project Delivery

• Proven track record of successful project delivery. 
• Strong strategic thinking and execution capabilities. 
• Demonstrated experience delivering projects safely and efficiently. 
• Comprehensive understanding of client business drivers and commercial objectives. 

Leadership & Communication

• Proven leadership in promoting and delivering safe work practices. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Strong presentation and stakeholder engagement abilities. 

3. Personal Attributes

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

Leadership

• Ability to influence stakeholders and achieve results. 
• Strong leadership presence with a proactive approach to decision-making. 

Problem Solving

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to make sound decisions in complex project environments. 

Collaboration

• Ability to work effectively within diverse, multicultural teams. 
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust across: 
  • Senior leadership 
  • Peers  
  • Cross-functional teams 

Values & Behaviour

• Acts as a role model for Wood's values and behaviours. 
• Demonstrates professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to continuous improvement.