ME BUSINESS PROFILE
The Middle East business employs c.500 people and has projected revenue for 2011 £65 million. (or alternatively T/O). It operates in two main market sectors – Property and Infrastructure providing advice and design solutions. Presence in the ME includes three offices in the UAE plus other locations such as Saudi, Oman, Bahrain and Mumbai.
THE CHALLENGE
The challenge is to develop and drive a clearer, more coherent strategic vision. This will include the need to develop a stronger leadership capability at all levels and to be a visible leader, driving improvement through the business. The new MEP Leader for Abu will also be charged with generating and developing client relationships, building a greater presence in the Abu Dhabi and surrounding areas. Underpinning much of this change is the need to drive a tighter focus on quality – ‘raising the bar’ of talent across all levels of the business – pushing a focus on design excellence and client service whilst embracing a forward looking attitude to technology.
He / She will need to impart renewed energy, leadership, drive and new ideas into the business and to continue the development of the MEP business stream.
He / she will be the catalyst for further cultural change to increase focus on client service, project delivery and people development.
However, before any of this can be implemented, they must first address some business issues around people, projects and clients.
Over the first 6 months, the successful candidates will:
Need to embed themselves in the business and devise a strategy for delivery while displaying key leadership attributes.
Drive wins to promptly display capability and credibility to the business.
Bring people on side obtaining positive advocacy.
Demonstrate credibility and trust with clients.
Start to develop new business and initial profile raising activities.
Lead a programme of change management – driving a shift of perception and emphasis to being client and project led rather than being purely commercially driven.
Moreover, in the first 12 months, the successful candidates will have:
Developed a number of significant business opportunities and converted a number to wins
Converted a clear and well communicated strategic plan into tangible and measurable wins
Impacted positively on the Profit & Loss account and Balance Sheet (specifics to be agreed after first 6 months)
Developed the talent agenda and recruited a number of key strategic hires
Improved sector and client diversity
Further broadened the business and built the business capacity in terms of core skills in design, technical and project delivery areas
Drive the collaborative and collegiate team ethos across the business and the wider Group – engendering a culture and working as one team across the region and the globe.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
Degree level education preferred
Requisite professional qualifications would be desirable (Chartered, CIBSE, IET)
A background in engineering consultancy or the wider built environment
He / She must be able to work with the ME Managing Director to develop and implement a strong operating model
The successful candidate should possess strong commercial credentials and demonstrate a proven capability in putting together and negotiating business deals.
Strategic planning and implementing experience and a proven track record in developing and driving strong programme and project management are essential.
EXTERNAL AWARENESS
Shows a strong understanding of the [relevant] business environment and understands factors, trends and issues which influence the company’s business performance.
CLIENT ORIENTATION
Committed to providing world-class service to his/her customer base and stakeholders. Driven to delight customers, always seeking to exceed their expectations.
CONCEPTUAL THINKING
Ability to develop a compelling vision. Is not restricted by the current situation, can see beyond today to where new opportunities exist.
TEAM LEADERSHIP & ORGANISATIONAL BUY-IN
A strong communicator with a clear and concise presentation style, who can convey, with consistency, a vision for the business in a manner that is readily accessible and understandable to all. Highly developed leadership and influencing skills; must demonstrate the ability to secure buy-in at all levels within the organisation. Will be a charismatic leader, with a down to earth approach that empowers people while also supporting their development needs.
TEAM LEADERSHIP
A strong team leader. Creates a sense of teamwork and resolves conflicts. He / she gets team members to work together constructively.
PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT
Good at developing people, able to recognise development needs, provide coaching and create opportunities for personal and professional development and growth within his/her team.
DRIVING RESULTS/ PERSONAL TRAITS
Able to drive results through effective team and individual performance, setting clear goals and managing accountability.
Very good understanding of the financial and commercial aspects of both projects and business
Strong leader with excellent communication and organisational skills, both written and verbal.
Strong organisational skills.
Personal credibility and stature to gain the confidence of clients, staff, peers and superiors, acting as a role model both within and outside the company.
An effective coordinator and manager combined with superior people development skills.
A self-starter, able to set own goals and objectives within the remit of assigned responsibilities.
An excellent team player and team builder with the highest ethical standards. Honesty, integrity, respect and discretion are a pre-requisite.
Strong commercial acumen with the ability to understand the different drivers of the respective project phases.
A strategic thinker with good analytical skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills, at ease communicating with people at all levels including sub-ordinates, executive team and the Board.
A good understanding of technology and how it can be used to maximise efficiency and service.
Reputation for being decisive and focused.
Robust character with effective negotiating skills in conflict situations.
Diligent and hardworking, performing duties as workload necessitates and continuously achieving productivity standards.
A strong time manager.
Proven work winner with strong market reputation