Facilities Management Specialist - Emiratization

Overview

This role is for a Facilities Management Specialist supporting a government entity in Abu Dhabi under a direct-hire arrangement. The position sits within the defense and aerospace sector and focuses on safeguarding the organization’s interests as a 50% co-owner of a building. The specialist will oversee, coordinate, and review the facilities management services delivered by the FM contractor appointed by the other co-owner, with a strong focus on service quality, transparency of costs, compliance with agreed standards, and protection of both operational and financial interests.

Job details

Job Code: 5976

Location: Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates

Contract: Direct hire

Client: Government entity

Industry: Defense - Aerospace

Purpose of the role

The core objective of this position is to act on behalf of the company as a co-owner representative and ensure that all facilities management activities are delivered in line with the ownership agreement, joint building management arrangements, service expectations, and applicable regulations.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as the main contact for all facilities management matters.
• Represent the company in meetings with the co-owner and the appointed FM service provider.
• Ensure FM delivery follows the ownership agreement and any shared building management framework.
• Track adherence to SLAs, KPIs, and contract commitments.
• Review preventive and corrective maintenance plans for MEP, HVAC, elevators, fire and life safety systems, BMS, and related assets.
• Confirm that statutory inspections and authority approvals are completed in line with local requirements.
• Check that asset management and lifecycle planning are handled appropriately.
• Monitor major maintenance work and validate that cost allocation is accurate and reasonable.
• Oversee soft services such as cleaning, security, landscaping, pest control, waste management, and similar services.
• Review workforce deployment and service schedules.
• Assess service quality and ensure delivery matches the agreed scope.
• Handle complaints from tenants or building users related to FM services.
• Examine annual FM budgets and operating expenses.
• Validate shared-cost calculations according to ownership share.
• Review invoices and service charge details before internal approval.
• Evaluate cost efficiency and compare service levels where relevant.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs without affecting service quality.
• Define and monitor KPIs and SLAs.
• Carry out routine site inspections and performance audits.
• Review monthly and quarterly reports submitted by the FM contractor.
• Prepare internal management reports covering FM performance, risks, and financial exposure.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental requirements across the building.
• Monitor emergency readiness plans and drill execution.
• Confirm that suitable insurance coverage is maintained for building operations.
• Identify operational and financial risks and recommend corrective actions.
• Maintain structured communication with the co-owner regarding building operations.
• Take part in joint building management committee meetings where required.
• Support resolution of disputes linked to FM services or cost sharing.
• Ensure all joint decisions are documented clearly and transparently.
• Suggest operational enhancements and service improvements.
• Recommend updates to service standards when needed.
• Advise management on future FM procurement options, including direct appointment, joint tendering, or separate service agreements.
• Review and validate FM-related invoices before they proceed to internal approval.
• Request clarifications on performance and corrective action through the approved governance process.
• Escalate significant disputes or financial concerns to senior management.

Qualifications and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience in facilities management, ideally in commercial or mixed-use buildings.
• Background in managing FM contracts and service providers.
• Good understanding of MEP systems and building operations.
• Working knowledge of service charge allocation and cost control.
• Strong negotiation skills and stakeholder management capability.

Key competencies

The role calls for strong contract management, financial awareness, technical understanding of hard and soft FM, stakeholder coordination, risk assessment, reporting and governance, problem-solving, and close attention to detail.

Deliverables

• Monthly report on FM performance.
• Quarterly review of FM financial costs.
• Annual budget review with recommendations.
• Report on risk and compliance status.
• Recommendations for service improvements.

Authority level

• May review and validate FM invoices before internal approval.
• May ask the FM contractor for performance clarification and corrective actions through the agreed governance route.
• Must escalate major disputes and financial concerns to senior management.

Additional information

Emiratization is specified for this position.

No salary, stipend, openings count, application deadline, or start date was provided.