GM Operations - Construction

Job Description

Our Client

A growing construction and infrastructure business in Nigeria is looking for an experienced General Manager – Operations to build and lead its operational platform as the company enters its next stage of development.

The organization is looking for a senior construction leader who can bring strong international operating standards while building the people, processes, systems, and execution capability required to deliver complex projects successfully.

Role Overview

You will take overall responsibility for the operational side of the business, covering project execution, engineering, commercial performance, QHSE, plant and equipment, supply chain, and operational financial management.

This is a hands-on leadership mandate with a strong business-building element. You will help shape the operating model, develop the senior team, introduce disciplined project and commercial controls, and ensure projects are delivered safely, profitably, and to high technical standards. The position also carries significant exposure to the Managing Director and Board and offers a longer-term progression path into broader business leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Take overall ownership of construction and infrastructure project execution, ensuring projects move effectively from mobilization through delivery and final handover while meeting agreed timelines, budgets, quality, and safety expectations. Build a consistent project management approach across the business, strengthening planning, scheduling, resource deployment, progress tracking, project controls, risk management, and coordination across multiple ongoing projects. Provide senior engineering leadership across civil, structural, geotechnical, and infrastructure activities, ensuring sound technical decisions, appropriate construction methods, strong quality controls, and adoption of relevant modern engineering practices. Drive the commercial performance of projects by maintaining control over costs, margins, forecasts, contractual matters, variations, claims, tendering, collections, and overall project profitability. Strengthen the company’s subcontractor, procurement, supply-chain, plant, and equipment capabilities to ensure projects have the right resources, partners, materials, and machinery available when required. Build a strong safety and quality culture across all operations, introducing effective QHSE systems, clear site accountability, risk controls, and internationally recognized management standards. Develop the operational organization from the ground up, including organization structure, leadership hiring, capability development, succession planning, knowledge transfer, and development of local engineering and management talent. Work closely with the Managing Director and Board on business planning, market development, major client relationships, strategic partnerships, budgets, financial controls, and the overall growth and direction of the company.

Must-Have

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering; a relevant Master’s degree would be preferred. A recognized Chartered Engineer or equivalent professional engineering qualification is required. 20+ years of progressive construction, civil engineering, or infrastructure experience, with significant recent experience in senior operational leadership such as Project Director, Deputy General Manager, General Manager, or an equivalent position. Strong and recent experience working in Nigeria or a comparable West African construction environment, with a practical understanding of operating conditions, regulations, subcontractors, procurement, logistics, and stakeholder management. Career experience with established international construction or infrastructure contractors where strong engineering discipline, structured project governance, and high execution standards are part of the operating environment. Track record of leading major and technically complex construction or infrastructure projects across areas such as roads, highways, bridges, airports, industrial facilities, large buildings, dams, or similar developments. Strong civil engineering fundamentals with the ability to assess designs, construction methodologies, technical risks, and site-level engineering issues rather than operating purely as a commercial or administrative leader. Sound commercial and contractual understanding, including exposure to major contract frameworks such as FIDIC, NEC or JCT, together with experience in variations, claims, project costing, forecasting, final accounts, and margin management. Proven ability to lead large, multidisciplinary and multicultural project teams across multiple sites or projects, supported by strong QHSE leadership, client management skills, and the executive maturity to operate with senior leadership and the Board.

Note- Due to high application volumes, we can only respond to shortlisted profiles.

<