CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNICAL DIRECTOR – DUBAI

Black & White Engineering (B&W) is a leading MEP design consultancy. Launched in the UAE in 2007, we became an independent company in 2014 and are now a true global consultancy with offices in Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Australia.

Our engineering expertise reaches across all sectors of the construction industry, providing pragmatic and practical design solutions to ensure our projects are spatially and operationally efficient. Our design process fully considers the installation and maintenance practicalities on site.

The Technical Director assists in developing and communicating the vision, values, and direction of the business to achieve sustainability, growth, efficiency and profit.

The Technical Director is responsible for managing the development, design, and coordination of engineering project services ensuring projects are successfully delivered, adhering to B&W standard / quality and timelines whilst managing resources efficiently. The Technical Director applies a high level of initiative and judgement to prioritise tasks, workload of projects and acts with professionalism, courtesy, and tact with clients and colleagues, and promotes the culture of the company.

The Technical Director role requires an ongoing commitment to the philosophy of the business and its implementation through his / her leadership. He / she is responsible to manage their team completely, including:

• FO liaison
• Technical leadership (improve your team)
• Staff leadership (grow your team)
• Recruitment (Build your team)
• Own the ‘One Team Culture’
• Provide monthly performance reviews for each team member and give them feedback on areas requiring improvement
• Treat every team member the same
• Ensure annual assessment, increment recommendations rewarding the best performers

• Results orientated individual with strong problem solving, technical realisation and coordination skills
• A strong engineering degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, or sufficient suitable experience
• Able to demonstrate extensive experience of a wide range of technical areas
• BEng, BSc or equivalent plus Chartered Engineer
• Technical knowledge in primary discipline and a thorough understanding of Civil and Structural Engineering through all stages of the design process
• Relevant experience in civil analysis and design, using the latest tools and software
• Provide direction and sound feedback to staff
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written. You will have proven ability in negotiating positive outcomes, resource planning, motivation and management
• Team-builder, able to support the team through training and mentoring
• Track record of having worked on a variety of civil engineering design projects and the delivery of small to large scale projects, from concept design through to completion. Able to execute engineering activities within the budget, programme and schedule, whilst maintaining technical integrity
• Ability to work in an evolving market where new technologies can be embraced
• Contribute to the development and growth of the company by identifying new opportunities and potential areas for growth and improvement, and also maintaining and developing existing client relationships.

• Deals with complex escalated problems within own area
• Creates new / better operational processes
• Makes time to review projects, to identify and learn from successes and problems
• Thinks beyond the immediate task in hand and considers the impact of decisions further down the line
• Challenges existing working practices and suggests improvements
• Identifies patterns and trends – recommends action
• Provides in-depth analysis of problems and proposes solutions brings others in to contribute to solutions
• Fosters the development of new ideas in others
• Is active in one or more Technical Committee, using the networks as a means of engaging with others to identify and develop new process / approaches
• Examines own area and compares methods and outcomes with other parts of B&W and industry wide, i.e., benchmarks own area’s performance and acts to improve
• Takes difficult decisions, explaining / defending the decision gives constructive criticism
• Predicts long-term effects of current approaches by analysing entire processes; recommends alternative strategies

The post holder will be expected to operate in line with our workplace values which are:

• Accountability – Everyone is accountable
• Integrity – We are straight-talking, respectful, and fair
• Simplicity – Both in our approach and solutions
• Supportive – We are approachable, inclusive, and we recognise success
• Quality – We strive to get it right first time, every time

When working together we are:

• Supportive
• Accountable
• Collaborative
• Respectful

The key tools to be effective are:

• Attention to detail
• Planning
• Solving problems
• Making decisions

• Leads on civil engineering designs and liaise with the client and both internal and external design teams to ensure successful preparation and delivery on project objectives, including providing technical support
• Monitor and address training and development requirements for yourself and your team
• Keep up-to-date with technical developments, national and international standards and legislative requirements related to the discipline
• Lead on engineering quality – develop designs and drawings, compile specifications, drawings and relevant contract documents. Maintain the required technical quality of work, ensuring that designs comply with the relevant codes, standards, regulations and procedures
• Identify scope and schedule changes in accordance with the Change Control Process, maintain planning and cost control on all scopes
• Represents the team / group / profession / discipline at external meetings
• Consideration in the development of designs of sustainability and safety
• Team Leadership – Lead a design team to ensure successful preparation and delivery on project objectives and work collaboratively with other disciplines

In addition, is responsible for one or more of the following:

• Manages projects, work area or technical skill set
• Responsible for predicting and planning future resources, which may include setting up project plans
• Responsible for the design / delivery of events, activities, processes, and /or projects which have a major impact on the management of the business, allocates tasks and coordinates activities
• Responsible for the performance and development of others, providing guidance, training, motivational and directional feedback

The Technical Director assists in developing and communicating the vision, values and direction of the business to achieve sustainability, growth, efficiency and profit.

• Proven ability to deal successfully with difficult situations
• Success with B&W Global offices / clients
• Business awareness and efficient management of resources
• Demonstrable interest in the development of appropriate training activities
• Ability to represent B&W externally
• Innovative skills
• Commitment to the philosophy of the firm
• Excellent team and leadership skills, having earned the respect of his or her peers
• Effective contribution to firm wide activities
• Proven success with clients and in business generally, earning respect for the firm and generating work
• Demonstrable commitment to the development of all staff and particularly of future leaders
• Ability to represent B&W at a high level
• Ability to think and act on behalf of the firm rather than self or unit
• Commitment to the philosophy of the firm and its implementation through his or her leadership proven record of project success over a period of years: measured technically and financially