Chief Operating Officer

mselect is looking to hire a Chief Operating Officer for a facilities management company in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Candidates must have a minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in Renewable Energy, EPC, Sustainability, Engineering, Infrastructure, Utilities, or Facilities Management, including at least 7 years in executive leadership roles managing multidisciplinary operational teams and client relationships.

Job Purpose
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for leading and managing operational functions to ensure the successful delivery of renewable energy, sustainability, engineering, and consultancy projects, while driving operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and profitable growth. The role oversees project delivery, engineering, procurement, supply chain, QHSE, governance, and overall operational performance, while supporting strategic business expansion and the organisation’s long-term success.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

  • Develop and execute the company's operational strategy in alignment with the corporate vision and business objectives
  • Translate annual business plans into operational execution plans and measurable performance targets
  • Drive operational excellence, continuous improvement, and organisational growth
  • Support expansion into new business lines, markets, and strategic partnerships
Project & Service Delivery:
  • Oversee the execution of all EPC, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, EV Infrastructure, Sustainability, Utility-as-a-Service, Building Performance, and Consultancy projects
  • Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and in accordance with contractual obligations and quality standards
  • Develop enterprise operational risk frameworks and implement mitigation strategies
  • Monitor operational KPIs, project performance, customer satisfaction, and resource utilisation
  • Standardise operational processes, procedures, and best practices across all business units
  • Ensure operational readiness for future growth across UAE, GCC, and international markets
Commercial & Financial Performance:
  • Own operational P&L performance with accountability for EBITDA and profitability
  • Partner with Procurement, Engineering, Design, and Business Development teams to improve project margins
  • Drive cost optimisation, operational efficiency, and working capital improvement
  • Monitor budgets and ensure disciplined financial management across all operations
Procurement & Supply Chain:
  • Coordinate with Group Procurement to develop strategic sourcing strategies
  • Improve inventory management, vendor performance, and supply chain resilience
  • Ensure procurement activities support operational objectives and project delivery schedules
  • Optimise supplier contracts and commercial outcomes
Quality, HSE & Governance:
  • Champion a culture of Health, Safety, Quality, and operational excellence
  • Oversee implementation of QHSE management systems and compliance audits
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory, contractual, and statutory requirements
  • Lead operational governance, business continuity planning, and enterprise risk management
People Leadership:
  • Build, lead, coach, and develop a high-performing operations team
  • Drive succession planning and leadership development initiatives
  • Foster accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement
  • Promote a strong performance-driven organisational culture
Stakeholder & Customer Management:
  • Build strong relationships with clients, consultants, contractors, suppliers, and government authorities
  • Support business development through operational input during tendering and bid preparation
  • Ensure excellent customer service and achievement of contractual service levels
  • Represent Operations within the Executive Leadership Team
Performance Reporting:
  • Develop executive dashboards and operational performance reports
  • Monitor business performance against strategic objectives and KPIs
  • Promote data-driven decision-making across operational functions
  • Provide regular operational updates to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team
Occupational and Workplace Health and Safety Responsibilities:
  • In addition to all job-specific responsibilities, all employees are required to adhere to all Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) policies, procedures, practices, and all applicable legal and statutory HSE requirements
  • Ensure all operational activities are conducted safely and in compliance with company HSE standards
  • Promote a proactive safety culture and continuous improvement in workplace health and safety
Information Security Responsibilities:
  • Comply with the company’s Information Security Policies
  • Be aware of and fulfil all information security responsibilities
  • Ensure sensitive company information is handled securely
  • Report any information on security incidents immediately
  • Protect user accounts, passwords, and confidential company information
  • Ensure compliance with cybersecurity and data protection requirements

Requirements

Qualification:
  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, Sustainability, Energy, Construction Management, or a related discipline
  • An MBA or master’s degree in business administration, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field is preferred
Required Work Experience:
Minimum 15 years of progressive leadership experience within Renewable Energy, EPC, Sustainability, Engineering, Infrastructure, Utilities, or Facilities Management sectors.
Position/functional experience (No. of years):
  • Minimum 7 years in executive leadership roles managing multidisciplinary operational teams. Client management responsibilities
  • Proven experience delivering Solar EPC, Energy Efficiency, EV Infrastructure, Sustainability, Utility-as-a-Service, and Engineering projects
  • Strong experience managing operational P&L, project delivery, procurement, supply chain, QHSE, and business performance
Competencies and Skills:
  • Strategic Leadership and Business Acumen
  • Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement
  • Commercial and Financial Management
  • Project and Programme Management
  • Risk Management and Governance
  • Sustainability and ESG Knowledge
  • Strong analytical capability with sound business judgement
  • Leadership, Coaching, and Team Development
  • Executive Communication and Presentation Skills
  • Performance Management and KPI Delivery
  • Sustainability and ESG Knowledge


*Only applicants meeting the strict criteria outlined above will be contacted as part of the shortlisting process.
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