Project Director – Marine Infrastructure Projects – GCC

Overview

Cabo Norte welcomes experienced project leaders with a background in marine construction for potential opportunities across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The purpose of this role is to lead major marine construction projects or oversee a portfolio of smaller projects, with accountability for safe delivery, technical execution, commercial performance, budget control and programme objectives.

The role brings together project leadership, financial and contractual management, resource planning and stakeholder coordination. Depending on the assignment, the remit may include responsibility for project management teams, engineering and work preparation, procurement, subcontracting, site execution, quality assurance and HSE performance.

The principal challenge is maintaining control of complex marine construction operations while balancing contractual obligations, delivery commitments, commercial exposure and the requirements of multiple stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct project delivery or oversee several marine construction projects through project management teams and designated deputies.

• Establish project organisation, responsibilities and operating processes to support effective coordination and decision-making.

• Lead project managers and department heads, providing direction, performance oversight and professional development.

• Coordinate engineering, work preparation, procurement, subcontracting and site execution to support programme and cost objectives.

• Maintain oversight of project budgets, financial performance, contractual obligations and overall profitability.

• Review technical, commercial and programme options before significant commitments or changes are approved.

• Oversee contractual administration, claims-related matters and commercial discussions with employers, consultants and delivery partners.

• Direct procurement and subcontracting decisions, including assessment of supplier capability, quality and performance.

• Maintain oversight of HSE assurance, quality management and technical execution across the project or portfolio.

• Ensure resources, plant and equipment are appropriately planned and allocated to support delivery requirements.

• Manage relationships with clients, consultants, authorities, subcontractors, suppliers and other third parties.

• Review project performance, identify delivery or commercial risks and implement corrective action where required.

• Provide senior management with a clear view of project progress, financial exposure, resource requirements and significant decisions.

• Support tendering and contract-related activities where project expertise and commercial judgement are required.

Business And Technical Challenges

• Delivering complex marine construction works within demanding safety, quality, programme and budget requirements.

• Maintaining financial control while responding to changes in scope, site conditions, contractual requirements or delivery priorities.

• Coordinating engineering, procurement, subcontracting and construction activities across interdependent work packages.

• Managing contractual exposure and evaluating the technical, financial and programme implications of key decisions.

• Ensuring project management teams have clear responsibilities, effective processes and sufficient resources.

• Maintaining consistent delivery standards across several projects or large multidisciplinary teams.

• Resolving issues quickly without compromising safety, technical integrity or commercial objectives.

• Managing relationships among clients, consultants, authorities, subcontractors and other stakeholders with differing priorities.

• Balancing central oversight with appropriate delegation to project managers and site leadership.

• Maintaining reliable visibility of cost, progress, risk and profitability throughout the project lifecycle.

Required Experience

• Demonstrated senior project leadership experience within marine construction, civil engineering or a comparable infrastructure environment.

• Experience directing a major project or overseeing multiple construction projects through project management teams.

• Strong understanding of marine construction methods, technical execution and project delivery requirements.

• Experience with project financial management, budget control, forecasting and commercial performance.

• Advanced understanding of construction contracts, contractual administration and commercial risk.

• Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams and coordinating engineering, procurement, subcontracting and site operations.

• Experience managing relationships with clients, consultants, contractors, suppliers and other project stakeholders.

• Working knowledge of construction HSE assurance, quality management and technical controls.

• Ability to evaluate complex issues, assess alternatives and make commercially sound decisions.

• Experience reporting project performance, risks and financial exposure to senior management.

• Professional English communication, negotiation and stakeholder-management skills.

Preferred Experience

• Experience delivering marine construction projects within the GCC.

• Exposure to major marine works, port infrastructure, coastal engineering or associated civil construction activities.

• Experience managing several projects or a large, multidisciplinary project organisation.

• Familiarity with complex contractual arrangements and high-value subcontracting or procurement packages.

• Experience managing interactions with regional authorities and other external stakeholders.

• Experience developing project management capability and mentoring project managers.

• An engineering, construction management or commercially relevant qualification.

• Additional European-language capability, such as French or Dutch.

Leadership Profile

• Combines technical understanding of marine construction with strong commercial judgement.

• Sets clear priorities, responsibilities and expectations across project teams.

• Makes timely decisions while evaluating cost, programme, contractual and operational consequences.

• Develops project managers and encourages accountability at the appropriate level.

• Communicates effectively with senior clients, consultants, internal leadership and delivery partners.

• Negotiates confidently in complex contractual and commercial environments.

• Maintains a practical, solutions-oriented approach when delivery conditions change.

• Balances project performance with safety, quality and responsible resource management.

• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in an international operating environment.

• Takes ownership of project outcomes rather than focusing solely on individual workstreams.

Expected Outcomes

• Projects delivered against agreed safety, quality, programme and commercial objectives.

• Stronger control of project budgets, forecasts, contractual obligations and financial exposure.

• Effective coordination between engineering, procurement, subcontracting and construction teams.

• Clear accountability across project management teams and designated deputies.

• Earlier identification and management of delivery, technical and commercial risks.

• Better-informed decisions on resources, procurement, contractual options and project priorities.

• Consistent application of HSE and quality requirements throughout project execution.

• Constructive client and stakeholder relationships that support effective project delivery.

• Improved project management capability and more reliable reporting of performance and risk.

Location And Eligibility

• Target location: GCC — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

• Sector scope: Marine construction, port infrastructure, civil engineering and related infrastructure works.

• Employer environment: Marine contractors, civil engineering businesses and infrastructure construction groups.

• Required language: Professional English; additional languages may be advantageous depending on the assignment.

• Travel: May include travel between project sites, client locations and regional offices, depending on the role.

• Relocation: Willingness to relocate within the GCC may be required for certain assignments.

• Employment terms and work authorisation: To be confirmed for each specific opportunity.

How To Apply

Cabo Norte receives relevant candidatures throughout the year. Submit your CV with a brief overview of your marine construction experience, the scale and complexity of projects managed, your commercial responsibilities and the teams or project portfolios within your remit.

Please indicate your current location, availability and interest in GCC-based opportunities, including any preferred markets or relocation considerations.

This listing supports ongoing candidate discussions and does not represent a currently confirmed client vacancy. Any specific employer, assignment and employment terms will be discussed with you before proceeding. Your profile will only be presented to an employer with your agreement.

About Cabo Norte

Cabo Norte is an executive search business focused on leadership and senior appointments across energy, water, marine, port, digital and industrial infrastructure.

Our focus spans the infrastructure lifecycle: strategy, engineering, project delivery, operations and asset optimisation. We look at the responsibilities candidates have held, the complexity they have managed and the outcomes they have delivered.