Head of Commercial & Engineering Setup, Abu Dhabi, UAE

A globally established EPC and industrial solutions group is establishing a new regional engineering and commercial hub in Abu Dhabi to support a growing pipeline of large-scale infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing projects across the GCC. We are seeking a Head of Commercial & Engineering Setup to lead the end-to-end establishment of this new entity, from technical capability build-out and engineering governance through to commercial structuring, contract strategy, and P&L delivery. Reporting to the Group Managing Director, this is a high-visibility executive appointment that combines deep engineering credibility with commercial leadership, requiring a leader who can shape strategy, build multidisciplinary teams, and engage credibly with clients, regulators, and joint-venture partners.

Reference: TSI-2026-031 | Sector: Automotive & Engineering | Level: Executive | Salary: AED 720,000 - AED 960,000 + LTI & Benefits

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the full set-up of the regional engineering and commercial entity, including organisational design, governance frameworks, technical standards, and operating model
• Define and execute the commercial strategy for the GCC, including market positioning, target client segmentation, partnership models, and pricing architecture
• Build and lead a multidisciplinary engineering function spanning mechanical, electrical, process, and project engineering capabilities
• Own bid strategy and oversight for major EPC, EPCm, and turnkey opportunities, including pre-qualification, technical proposals, risk review, and contract negotiation
• Establish robust project controls, engineering assurance, HSE, and quality management frameworks aligned with international standards (FIDIC, ASME, IEC, ISO 9001/14001/45001)
• Develop and manage senior client, EPC partner, government, and regulator relationships across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the wider GCC
• Hold full P&L accountability for the regional business, including revenue growth, margin management, working capital, and capex decisions
• Partner with Group functions on joint ventures, M&A, local content strategy, and In-Country Value (ICV) compliance across the region

Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Process, or Civil Engineering; Chartered Engineer (CEng) status and an MBA or equivalent commercial qualification strongly preferred
• 18+ years' progressive experience in engineering and commercial leadership within EPC, oil & gas, energy, or large-scale industrial environments
• Proven track record establishing or significantly scaling a regional engineering business or country entity, ideally in the GCC
• Deep expertise in EPC contract models (lump-sum, reimbursable, FIDIC), risk allocation, and complex commercial negotiations with NOCs, IOCs, and government clients
• Strong understanding of GCC regulatory environments, ICV / Saudization / Emiratisation frameworks, and local partnership structures
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary engineering teams of 100+ professionals across multiple geographies
• Exceptional executive presence with the ability to engage credibly at C-suite, ministerial, and Board level
• Arabic language skills advantageous; willingness to be based in Abu Dhabi with frequent regional travel essential

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