Head of MEP

Why This Role Matters

The Head of MEP is responsible for the strategic establishment, scaling, and operational leadership of BESIX Middle East’s in-house MEP self-perform capability.

The role’s primary objective is to secure delivery certainty, cost control, and risk mitigation on BESIX projects by integrating MEP works directly into Tender (TEC), Design (DED), Planning, Procurement, and Site Execution, while simultaneously creating a stand-alone, profitable MEP P&L.

This is a start-up and transformation role, requiring strong commercial discipline, deep execution experience, and the ability to build a full MEP organisation (people, processes, supply chain, and governance) without creating a siloed subcontractor mentality.

What You’ll Drive

1. Strategic Setup & Integration (Core Mandate)

• Establish BESIX’s in-house MEP self-perform model in line with the approved strategic integration framework.
• Ensure MEP is fully embedded into:
  • Tender Engineering & Estimation (TEC)
  • Design & Engineering (DED)
  • Planning & Project Controls
  • Central Procurement
  • Site execution teams
• Prevent the creation of an isolated “MEP subcontractor” structure; enforce One-Team delivery.
• Define and implement the MEP operating model, including:
  • Scope boundaries (self-perform vs specialist subcontracting)
  • Risk allocation principles
  • Cash-flow control mechanisms
• Act as the executive sponsor for initial projects (e.g. Ajman Phase 3, Center of Excellence, STP, Data Centers).

2. Full P&L Ownership

• Own the MEP business P&L, including:
• • Gross margin
  • Overheads
  • Cash flow
  • Revenue
• Ensure MEP projects are self-funding, with strict cash-flow discipline (advance payments, material payments, milestone billing).
• Define and manage:
  • MEP overhead recovery strategy
  • Internal pricing principles for BESIX projects
• Prepare and present monthly P&L, cash-flow, and risk reports to regional management.

3. Organisation Build-Up & Manpower Strategy

• Design and implement the MEP organisation structure, including:
  • Labour
  • Foremen
  • General foremen
  • Site superintendents
  • Engineers
  • Construction managers
• Lead recruitment of key leadership roles first, followed by scalable site manpower.
• Establish labour sourcing strategies (direct labour, selective outsourcing, framework partners).
• Define clear competency, productivity, and performance benchmarks for MEP staff and labor.
• Ensure compliance with local labour regulations and BESIX HR standards.

4. Procurement & Supply Chain Leadership

• Ensure timely and integrated procurement for all awarded projects.
• Establish:
  • Strategic supplier partnerships
  • Long-term agreements for key MEP materials and equipment
  • Approved vendor lists aligned with BESIX ethics and compliance standards
• Coordinate with Group / Brussels procurement where applicable through procurement team.
• Ensure procurement is aligned with:
  • Construction sequencing
  • Cash-flow planning
  • Risk mitigation
• Prevent late procurement becoming a critical path risk.

5. Project Delivery & Execution Oversight

• Provide executive oversight to all MEP site teams.
• Ensure:
  • Programme adherence
  • Quality compliance
  • Authority approvals (DEWA, SEWA, Civil Defence, etc.)
• Actively intervene in high-risk or delayed projects.
• Ensure MEP execution supports overall project milestones and LD avoidance.
• Promote constructability, modularisation, and value engineering.

6. Governance, Risk & Controls

• Apply BESIX Golden Rules, tender governance, and risk sign-off discipline to all MEP works.
• Ensure no project is accepted without:
  • Approved cash-flow profile
  • Clear risk allocation
• Implement in collaboration with other departments:
  • Cost control systems
  • Progress measurement
  • Claims and variation management discipline
• Actively prevent industry failure patterns seen in legacy MEP contractor (E.G. underestimation of manpower)

7. Leadership & Culture

• Build a high-performance, accountable MEP leadership team.
• Embed BESIX values and safety culture within MEP execution.
• Promote:
  • Ownership
  • Transparency
  • Collaboration
  • Zero-blame, high-accountability environment
• Act as a visible leader across projects and shared services.