About the Role
Guildhall is running a search for a privately backed infrastructure developer that builds and delivers underground transit and tunnelling projects across the Gulf, and is scaling its Dubai delivery team as construction ramps up on a major transport infrastructure programme. You will own tunnel and station construction end-to-end: mobilisation, civil works, workforce, permits, and handover. The business is moving into active construction mobilisation now, and needs its delivery lead in place ahead of the first tunnel drive. It is a rare seat on the contractor side, with full accountability for getting the tunnels built, not a PMC or design mandate.
Package: Negotiable
The role
- Own tunnel and station construction delivery, mobilisation to handover, in Dubai.
- Manage all civil works and the subcontracted labour force on site.
- Lead permits, inspections and sign-off with RTA, Dubai Municipality or an equivalent authority.
- Report to the Head of UAE, with a hands-on presence in the tunnel and the office.
What you'll bring
- Personally led a bored-tunnel drive, TBM or drill-and-blast, as the accountable lead.
- Delivered underground stations and/or shafts on a Gulf infrastructure project.
- Dealt directly with RTA, Dubai Municipality or an equivalent authority on permits and NOCs.
- Managed a subcontracted labour force of 500+ people on a Gulf site.
- Degree-qualified civil engineer, registrable with Dubai Municipality.
- 10–20 years' experience, with the last five years focused on tunnels.
- Currently based in the UAE or wider Gulf region with UAE experience
What's on offer
- Full ownership of tunnel and station delivery on a major Gulf transit programme.
- A senior delivery seat on the contractor side, not a PMC or design function.
- Early involvement in construction mobilisation, shaping delivery from day one.
Why apply through Guildhall
- Boutique executive search firm in Dubai, established 2010.
- 8x independent industry awards since 2020.
- 4.9-star Google rating from 250+ reviews.
- Direct access to the retained consultant running this search.
Hiring a Project Director for tunnel construction in Dubai
Underground transit and tunnelling work in the Gulf has picked up sharply, with metro, sewerage and rail tunnel packages running in parallel across the region. A Project Director on the contractor side typically owns everything from mobilisation and workforce build-up through to tunnel breakthrough and station handover, reporting into a country or regional construction lead. Because these programmes run on government-linked infrastructure, the person in this seat needs direct experience working with transport authorities on permits, inspections and completion sign-off, not just technical delivery. Demand for people who have personally run a TBM or drill-and-blast drive as the accountable lead remains tight, which keeps this a candidate-favourable market.
Common questions
What does a Project Director do in Dubai?
A Project Director on a tunnel construction site owns delivery of the tunnel and any underground stations or shafts, from mobilisation through to handover. This covers civil works, the labour force, and coordination with government transport authorities on permits and inspections. It is a contractor-side, delivery-focused role, distinct from a PMC or design management position.
What experience do I need to apply?
You should have personally run a bored-tunnel drive project, either TBM or drill-and-blast, as the person accountable for it, and delivered underground stations or shafts. Direct experience working with RTA, Dubai Municipality or an equivalent Gulf authority on permits and inspections is expected, along with managing a subcontracted labour force of 500 or more on a Gulf site. A civil engineering degree registrable with Dubai Municipality, and 10-20 years' experience with the last five focused on tunnels, are also required.
How do I apply?
Apply directly on this page. A Guildhall consultant reviews every application personally and confidentially, and will only contact you if your background is a genuine match for this search.
What does this role pay?
This will be 90th percentile of pay package
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The Agency Behind This Role
This search is managed by Guildhall — an 8× award-winning executive search and recruitment agency, rated 4.9★ across 250+ Google reviews, recruiting in Dubai and across the GCC.