Head of Projects (Construction)

Our client is a Malaysian investment holding company with significant operations in property development, construction, and diversified interests across healthcare, education, and property investment.

Role Overview

The Head of Projects (Construction) will be a pivotal senior leader responsible for the strategic planning, execution, and successful delivery of a diverse portfolio of construction projects. This role demands a seasoned professional with a deep understanding of the Malaysian construction landscape, capable of driving operational excellence, managing complex stakeholder relationships, and ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the full project lifecycle from conceptualisation, feasibility studies, planning, execution, monitoring, control, to successful handover for a portfolio of diverse construction projects, including residential, commercial, and institutional developments.
• Develop and implement robust project management strategies, methodologies, and best practices to ensure all projects align with corporate objectives and are delivered efficiently and effectively.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of Project Managers and project staff, fostering a high-performance culture, promoting continuous professional development, and ensuring optimal resource allocation.
• Manage comprehensive project budgets, financial forecasts, cost controls, and cash flow, ensuring fiscal prudence and identifying opportunities for value engineering and cost optimization.
• Drive the tender process, contractor selection, contract negotiation, and administration, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, local regulatory requirements, and company policies.
• Implement proactive risk management strategies to identify, assess, mitigate, and monitor project risks (technical, financial, operational, regulatory, and environmental).
• Ensure strict adherence to local building codes, statutory requirements (e.g., CIDB, DOSH, local authorities), quality assurance protocols, and industry best practices for safety and environmental protection.
• Cultivate strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders including clients, consultants, government agencies, sub-contractors, and internal departments to facilitate smooth project execution.
• Prepare and present regular, detailed project performance reports, progress updates, and strategic recommendations to senior management and the Board.
• Champion the adoption of innovative construction technologies, including Building Information Modelling (BIM) and advanced project management software, to enhance efficiency and project outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Architecture, or a related field. A Master's degree is an advantage.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in the construction industry, with at least 8 years in a senior project leadership role overseeing large-scale, complex property development projects in Malaysia.
• Registered Professional Engineer (Ir.) with the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) or equivalent professional accreditation (e.g., RICS, CIOB) is highly desirable.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or PRINCE2 certification is a significant advantage. A valid CIDB Green Card is essential.
• In-depth knowledge of construction methods, materials, local building codes, statutory regulations, and Malaysian contract law (e.g., PAM Contract).
• Proven proficiency in project management software (e.g., Primavera P6, Microsoft Project), BIM software (e.g., Revit, ArchiCAD), and AutoCAD.
• Exceptional leadership, strategic planning, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to influence and manage diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a proactive approach to risk identification and mitigation.
• Fluent in both written and spoken English and Bahasa Malaysia.