Job description
Job Description: Civil Construction Manager – Substation Projects (UAE) ???
Position Title: Civil Construction Manager
Project Type: Electrical Substation Projects (132kV / 220kV / 400kV / Distribution Substations)
Location: United Arab Emirates
Reporting To: Project Manager / Project Director
1. Job Purpose ?
The Civil Construction Manager is responsible for leading and managing all civil construction activities for electrical substation projects across the UAE. The role ensures that civil works such as control buildings, transformer foundations, cable trenches, roads, drainage systems, and associated infrastructure are executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with project specifications, authority regulations, and project timelines.
The Civil Construction Manager oversees site engineers, supervisors, subcontractors, and planning teams, ensuring effective coordination between civil, electrical, mechanical, and commissioning teams. The position requires extensive experience in substation civil works, strong leadership skills, and familiarity with UAE utility authority requirements such as TRANSCO, ADDC, AADC, DEWA, SEWA, and EtihadWE.
2. Key Responsibilities ??A. Project Planning & Execution
- Lead the planning and execution of all civil construction activities.
- Review project drawings, specifications, and contract requirements.
- Develop construction strategies and execution plans.
- Ensure alignment of civil works with overall project schedule.
- Monitor project milestones and ensure timely completion.
- Coordinate mobilization of manpower, equipment, and materials.
- Implement construction methodologies for substation works.
- Ensure readiness for electrical equipment installation.
B. Site Management & Supervision
- Manage multiple civil teams across substation sites.
- Supervise site engineers, foremen, and subcontractors.
- Ensure proper sequencing of construction activities.
- Monitor productivity and optimize resource utilization.
- Conduct regular site inspections.
- Ensure compliance with approved drawings and method statements.
- Resolve site-related technical and execution issues.
- Control subcontractor performance and progress.
C. Coordination with Project Stakeholders ?
- Coordinate with Project Manager for execution strategy.
- Liaise with consultants for approvals and inspections.
- Coordinate with electrical construction team for interface works.
- Work with procurement team for timely material delivery.
- Coordinate with QA/QC team for inspections and quality compliance.
- Interface with HSE team for safety implementation.
- Participate in client progress meetings.
- Coordinate with survey team for layout and verification.
D. Schedule & Progress Monitoring ?
- Review and monitor detailed construction schedules.
- Track progress against baseline program.
- Identify delays and implement corrective actions.
- Lead recovery plans when required.
- Conduct weekly progress review meetings.
- Monitor critical path activities.
- Ensure achievement of project milestones.
- Support planning engineer in progress reporting.
E. Quality Assurance & Control ?
- Ensure compliance with project specifications and authority standards.
- Implement quality control procedures for civil works.
- Review Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs).
- Ensure proper inspection before consultant submissions.
- Monitor concrete works, testing, and approvals.
- Ensure compliance with approved materials.
- Address Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs).
- Ensure punch list items closure.
F. Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance ?
- Implement project HSE requirements across all sites.
- Ensure safe working practices for excavation and heavy lifting.
- Conduct safety walkdowns.
- Monitor high-risk activities such as deep excavation.
- Ensure proper barricading and signage.
- Promote safety culture across workforce.
- Ensure compliance with UAE safety regulations.
- Coordinate incident investigation and reporting.
3. Scope of Civil Works in Substation Projects ?
The Civil Construction Manager will oversee the following works:
- Substation control building construction
- GIS building civil works
- Transformer and reactor foundations
- Equipment plinths and support structures
- Cable trenches and cable basements
- Underground duct banks
- Oil containment bund walls
- Boundary walls and security fencing
- Internal asphalt and concrete roads
- Stormwater drainage systems
- Earthing pits and chambers
- Firefighting water tanks and reservoirs
- Security buildings and guard houses
- Gantry foundations
- Cable trenches crossing structures
- Underground utility corridors
- Water supply and sewer systems
4. Resource Management ???
- Plan manpower requirements.
- Monitor labor productivity.
- Manage subcontractor deployment.
- Allocate construction equipment.
- Monitor material consumption.
- Control wastage.
- Ensure proper logistics planning.
- Manage multiple work fronts.
5. Commercial & Cost Control Responsibilities ?
- Monitor construction budget.
- Control material usage.
- Evaluate subcontractor progress for billing.
- Review variation works.
- Support claims preparation.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities.
- Monitor productivity vs cost.
- Assist in procurement planning.
6. Technical Responsibilities ?
- Review IFC drawings and shop drawings.
- Validate equipment foundation levels.
- Ensure proper embedment installation.
- Monitor heavy foundation construction.
- Ensure correct cable trench slopes.
- Review concrete mix design.
- Verify compaction requirements.
- Ensure proper drainage gradients.
- Monitor waterproofing works.
- Address geotechnical challenges.
7. Documentation & Reporting ?
- Review daily progress reports.
- Prepare weekly construction reports.
- Monitor manpower and equipment records.
- Track inspection status.
- Maintain construction logs.
- Review as-built documentation.
- Monitor material submittals.
- Participate in monthly progress reporting.
8. Qualification Requirements ?
- Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering.
- 12–18 years total experience.
- Minimum 5–8 years in substation projects.
- UAE substation project experience preferred.
- Experience in 132kV / 220kV / 400kV substations.
- Knowledge of UAE authority standards.
- Professional certifications (preferred).
- UAE driving license preferred.
9. Skills & Competencies ?
- Strong leadership and team management skills.
- Extensive knowledge of civil construction.
- Excellent coordination abilities.
- Planning and scheduling expertise.
- Decision-making capability.
- Problem-solving skills.
- Contractual awareness.
- Risk management capability.
- Strong communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects.
10. Software Knowledge ?
- Primavera P6 (preferred)
- MS Project
- AutoCAD (review level)
- MS Excel (advanced)
- MS Word
- ERP systems
- Project management software
11. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) ?
- Project schedule adherence
- Civil milestone achievement
- Quality compliance
- Safety performance
- Cost control effectiveness
- Subcontractor productivity
- NCR closure rate
- Client satisfaction
- Resource utilization
- Timely project handover
12. Project Phase Responsibilities ?Mobilization Phase
- Review contract documents.
- Develop execution strategy.
- Mobilize site teams.
- Establish site logistics.
- Coordinate site setup.
Construction Phase
- Manage all civil activities.
- Monitor progress.
- Ensure quality compliance.
- Coordinate interfaces.
- Resolve technical issues.
Testing & Commissioning Phase
- Complete remaining civil works.
- Close punch points.
- Support electrical tea