Facilities Manager

Facility Manager – Private Family Estates, Dubai

Reports to: Family Office Head / Principal's Representative

Location: Dubai, UAE (with site presence across multiple residential properties)

Employment type: Full-time, permanent

Role Summary

The Facility Manager will be responsible for the complete technical and operational care of a portfolio of private residences and associated assets owned by a High Net Worth family in Dubai. The role carries full ownership of preventive, corrective, predictive and reactive maintenance, and of the consultants, contractors and systems that deliver it. The ideal candidate brings a five-star hospitality engineering mindset: discreet, standards-driven, guest-experience focused, and comfortable operating where the expectation is that things simply work, invisibly and without disruption to family life.

Key Responsibilities

1. Maintenance Strategy and Execution

• Develop and run a structured maintenance programme covering preventive (PPM schedules), corrective (defect rectification), predictive (condition monitoring, trend analysis, thermography, vibration and energy analytics) and reactive (emergency response) maintenance.
• Maintain a complete asset register, lifecycle and replacement plan for all MEP, HVAC, BMS, fire and life safety, lifts, pools and water features, landscape irrigation, AV and automation, security and specialist systems.
• Define SLAs, response times and escalation matrices; ensure 24/7 emergency cover.
• Track KPIs: PPM compliance, mean time to repair, asset uptime, energy and water consumption, budget variance, and family satisfaction.

2. Consultant and Contractor Management

• Appoint, manage and performance-review technical consultants (MEP, interior, landscape, sustainability, AV/automation, security, structural, etc.).
• Manage outsourced FM, specialist subcontractors and OEM service providers; audit work quality, safety compliance and invoicing.
• Prepare scopes of work, technical specifications and tender documents; run RFQ/RFP processes.
• Ensure all vendors comply with Dubai Municipality, DEWA, Civil Defence, RERA/Trakhees (as applicable) and family house rules.

3. Negotiation and Commercial Management

• Negotiate service contracts, AMCs, framework agreements and variations to secure best value without compromising quality.
• Prepare and manage annual OPEX and CAPEX budgets; control spend and present transparent cost reporting to the family office.
• Benchmark vendors, rationalise suppliers and drive cost efficiencies and warranty recovery.
• Review and approve invoices, variation orders and final accounts.

4. Systems Selection and Implementation

• Evaluate, select and implement systems including CAFM/CMMS, BMS, smart home and automation, energy management, access control, CCTV, and leak/water detection.
• Lead technical due diligence, vendor demos, trials, commissioning, integration, testing and handover.
• Drive upgrades, retrofits and technology refreshes with minimal disruption to residents.
• Ensure staff are trained and documentation (O&M manuals, as-builts, warranties) is complete and maintained.

5. Pre-Opening and Project Support

• Participate in design reviews, value engineering and snagging for new builds, renovations and fit-outs.
• Lead operational readiness: asset tagging, PPM set-up, spares and tools, vendor mobilisation, staffing plans, training, and handover from contractors.
• Supervise commissioning, defect liability period management and warranty close-out.

6. Service Standards, Safety and Compliance

• Uphold hospitality-grade standards of presentation, cleanliness, privacy and discretion at every property.
• Implement HSE policies, permit-to-work, risk assessments and incident reporting.
• Ensure statutory compliance (fire safety, lifts, water quality, pest control, insurance requirements).
• Support sustainability goals: energy, water and waste reduction.

7. Household Operations Interface

• Coordinate with the estate manager, household staff, security, and the family office on events, guest arrivals, seasonal readiness and travel schedules.
• Handle all sensitive matters with strict confidentiality.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Building Services Engineering (or equivalent technical qualification).
• 10–15 years' experience in facilities or engineering management, with a strong background in luxury hospitality (five-star hotels, resorts or branded residences).
• Proven experience in at least 2 pre-openings (technical pre-opening, commissioning, handover, operational readiness).
• Demonstrated experience managing consultants and contractors, and negotiating contracts and budgets.
• Hands-on experience selecting and implementing CMMS/CAFM, BMS and smart building systems.
• Strong knowledge of Dubai/UAE regulations and the local vendor landscape.
• Track record managing preventive, corrective, predictive and reactive programmes.

Preferred

• Post-graduate degree or certifications: CEng, CFM, PMP, NEBOSH/IOSH, BICSc/IFMA, or equivalent.
• Exposure to luxury villas, palaces, estates or ultra-high-end residential portfolios.
• Experience with marine, pool, landscape and specialist AV/home automation systems.
• Arabic language skills a plus.

Key Competencies

• Discretion, integrity and professionalism around a high-profile family.
• Commercial acumen and strong negotiation skills.
• Systems thinking and strong technical depth across MEP and building technology.
• Leadership, vendor management and stakeholder communication.
• Calm decision-making under pressure; flexible availability for emergencies and after hours.
• Excellent English communication, reporting and presentation skills.

Compensation and Benefits

Competitive package commensurate with experience, including housing/transport allowances, medical insurance, annual flights, and UAE visa support. Details to be discussed at interview.

Confidentiality Notice

The successful candidate will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement and consent to background and reference verification.