About the job Chief Operating Officer (COO)
# Chief Operating Officer (COO)
**Sector:** Construction, Real Estate Development & Investment
## About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and highly execution-oriented **Chief Operating Officer (COO)** to oversee the company's day-to-day operations across its **construction, real estate development, property management, project delivery, procurement, commercial operations, and supporting functions**.
The COO will work closely with the President/CEO and executive leadership team to translate the company's strategic objectives into **operational plans, measurable performance, efficient execution, and sustainable growth**.
The successful candidate will bring substantial experience managing complex construction and real estate operations, large project portfolios, multidisciplinary teams, contractors, suppliers, and strategic partners.
## Key Responsibilities
### 1. Operational Leadership
* Lead and oversee the company's day-to-day operational activities.
* Translate corporate strategy into effective operational plans and execution priorities.
* Establish operating standards, processes, KPIs, and performance-management systems.
* Drive operational discipline, accountability, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
* Ensure effective coordination between construction, development, commercial, finance, procurement, legal, sales, and property-management functions.
### 2. Construction & Project Delivery
* Provide executive oversight of the company's construction projects and development portfolio.
* Ensure projects are delivered **on time, within budget, to required quality standards, and in compliance with safety requirements**.
* Monitor project schedules, budgets, milestones, resources, risks, and overall performance.
* Establish robust project-management and governance frameworks.
* Review major project issues and lead corrective actions where required.
* Oversee the performance of contractors, consultants, subcontractors, and suppliers.
### 3. Real Estate Development Operations
* Oversee the operational execution of real estate development projects from planning through completion.
* Coordinate land development, design, approvals, procurement, construction, handover, sales, leasing, and asset-management activities.
* Monitor development timelines, costs, project economics, and operational risks.
* Ensure effective coordination between internal development teams and external stakeholders.
* Support optimization of the company's property and development portfolio.
### 4. Financial & Operational Performance
* Work closely with Finance and the President/CEO to achieve financial and operational targets.
* Monitor project profitability, operating costs, cash flow requirements, and resource utilization.
* Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve margins without compromising quality or delivery.
* Establish operational budgets and ensure adherence to approved financial plans.
* Monitor key business and project KPIs and implement corrective measures.
### 5. Procurement & Supply Chain
* Oversee procurement, sourcing, contracting, and supplier-management activities.
* Develop effective procurement strategies for construction materials, equipment, subcontractors, and professional services.
* Strengthen vendor evaluation, negotiation, cost-control, and contract-management processes.
* Ensure timely availability of critical resources and materials for project execution.
* Build strategic relationships with key suppliers and contractors.
### 6. Quality, Safety & Risk Management
* Establish and maintain high standards for quality, health, safety, and environmental performance.
* Ensure compliance with applicable construction, environmental, labor, and regulatory requirements.
* Identify operational and project risks and establish appropriate mitigation strategies.
* Monitor safety performance across construction sites and operational facilities.
* Promote a strong culture of safety, quality, and operational accountability.
### 7. Process Improvement & Transformation
* Review existing operating models and identify opportunities for improvement.
* Implement systems, technologies, and processes that improve productivity and visibility.
* Drive digital transformation across project management, procurement, reporting, and operational functions.
* Standardize processes across projects, business units, and subsidiaries where appropriate.
* Establish data-driven performance reporting for executive management.
### 8. Leadership & People Management
* Lead senior operational leaders and multidisciplinary teams across the organization.
* Build a high-performing culture focused on execution, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
* Develop operational talent and strengthen leadership capabilities.
* Establish succession plans for critical operational positions.
* Ensure appropriate staffing and resource allocation across projects and business units.
### 9. Stakeholder Management
* Maintain effective relationships with major contractors, consultants, developers, suppliers, clients, regulators, government authorities, and strategic partners.
* Represent the company in operational and commercial discussions with key stakeholders.
* Support the President/CEO in major negotiations and strategic initiatives.
* Resolve complex operational issues and stakeholder escalations.
## Key Performance Indicators
The COO will be accountable for:
* On-time project delivery
* Project cost performance and budget adherence
* Project profitability and gross margins
* Operational efficiency and productivity
* Construction quality and defect rates
* Health & safety performance
* Procurement savings and supplier performance
* Development-project milestones
* Resource utilization
* Working-capital efficiency
* Customer/client satisfaction
* Operational risk reduction
* Employee and leadership performance
## Candidate Profile
### Must-Have Experience
* **12–15+ years of progressive experience**, with significant senior leadership exposure in construction, real estate development, infrastructure, engineering, property development, or a related sector.
* Previous experience as **COO, Deputy COO, Operations Director, Executive Director, General Manager, VP Operations, Head of Operations, Project Director**, or equivalent.
* Proven experience managing **large-scale construction and/or real estate operations**.
* Strong experience overseeing multiple projects, business units, or geographic operations.
* Demonstrated experience managing budgets, operational KPIs, contractors, procurement, and project delivery.
* Strong understanding of construction processes, project management, contracts, procurement, cost control, and risk management.
* Proven ability to lead large multidisciplinary teams.
### Preferred Experience
* Experience working within a **large construction, property development, real estate investment, or diversified group**.
* Experience managing residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use, hospitality, infrastructure, or large-scale development projects.
* Exposure to **joint ventures, PPPs, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, or institutional investment**.
* Experience implementing operational transformation or digitalization initiatives.
* Multi-country or international operational experience is an advantage.
## Education
* Bachelor's degree in **Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Real Estate, Business Administration, Finance**, or a related discipline.
* Master's degree/MBA preferred.
* Professional qualifications in project management, engineering, construction, or operations are advantageous.
## Core Competencies
* Operational Leadership
* Construction Management
* Project Delivery
* Real Estate Development
* P&L & Budget Management
* Procurement & Contract Management
* Cost Control
* Risk Management
* Quality & Safety Management
* Process Optimization
* Performance Management
* Strategic Planning & Execution
* Stakeholder Management
* Change Management
* Executive Leadership
## Leadership Characteristics
The successful COO will be:
* **Highly execution-oriented and commercially disciplined**
* Strong in operational planning and problem-solving
* Comfortable managing complex, high-value projects
* Data-driven and KPI-focused
* Strong in contractor and supplier negotiations
* Capable of managing multiple priorities under pressure
* An effective people leader and organizational builder
* Comfortable working closely with the President/CEO and Board
* Focused on accountability, safety, quality, cost, and delivery
## Compensation
A **competitive executive compensation package** comprising base salary, performance-based incentives, executive benefits, and other benefits commensurate with experience and market benchmarks.
**Confidential Executive Search**
This is a high-impact operational leadership opportunity for an executive capable of converting strategic objectives into **world-class execution, efficient project delivery, operational excellence, and sustainable business performance**.