Location: Abu Dhabi
Job Type:
Permanent
Closing Date:
2025-04-11
About vacancy
mselect is looking to hire an Operational QA - Executive Director for a Facilities Management company in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Candidates must have 10-12 years in quality assurance, with proven experience in landscaping, horticulture, or related industries is highly preferred. Fluency in English is a must.
Job Purpose
The Operational QA Executive Director is responsible for developing and leading the organization's quality assurance strategy to ensure the highest standards of operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction. This role involves setting quality benchmarks, implementing robust systems, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across all departments. By collaborating with senior leadership and cross-functional teams, the Executive Director ensures that quality initiatives align with organizational goals and industry standards, driving efficiency and enhancing overall performance. In addition to strategic oversight, the Operational QA Executive Director provides leadership in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of quality control measures and compliance programs. They oversee audits, risk assessments, and corrective action plans to mitigate issues proactively while maintaining adherence to regulatory requirements. Through innovation and thought leadership, this role ensures that quality assurance processes not only meet but exceed expectations, positioning the organization as a leader in delivering reliable, high-quality products or services.
Key Responsibilities & Duties
Strategic Leadership in Quality Assurance:
Develop and implement a comprehensive quality assurance strategy that aligns with the company's vision and operational goals, ensuring excellence in landscaping, maintenance, and safety practices.
Health, Safety, and Environmental Compliance:
Environmental Programs
Sustainability Practices:
Project Costing
Cost Estimation and Budgeting:
Project Planning
Defining Project Objectives:
Requirements
Education & Qualifications:
Competencies and Skills
Core Competencies
Quality Management Expertise:
Technical Skills
Auditing and Compliance:
Leadership Skills
Team Development:
Adept at working with cross-functional teams, including project managers, contractors, and designers, to align quality goals with overall project objectives.
Soft Skills
Environmental and Sustainability Competencies
Eco-Friendly Practices:
Job Purpose
The Operational QA Executive Director is responsible for developing and leading the organization's quality assurance strategy to ensure the highest standards of operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction. This role involves setting quality benchmarks, implementing robust systems, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across all departments. By collaborating with senior leadership and cross-functional teams, the Executive Director ensures that quality initiatives align with organizational goals and industry standards, driving efficiency and enhancing overall performance. In addition to strategic oversight, the Operational QA Executive Director provides leadership in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of quality control measures and compliance programs. They oversee audits, risk assessments, and corrective action plans to mitigate issues proactively while maintaining adherence to regulatory requirements. Through innovation and thought leadership, this role ensures that quality assurance processes not only meet but exceed expectations, positioning the organization as a leader in delivering reliable, high-quality products or services.
Key Responsibilities & Duties
Strategic Leadership in Quality Assurance:
Develop and implement a comprehensive quality assurance strategy that aligns with the company's vision and operational goals, ensuring excellence in landscaping, maintenance, and safety practices.
Health, Safety, and Environmental Compliance:
- Oversee the creation and enforcement of health, safety, and environmental policies to safeguard employees, clients, and the environment
- Develop comprehensive safety training programs tailored to landscaping and maintenance operations, including equipment handling and chemical use
- Implement emergency response procedures and coordinate safety drills
- Monitor compliance with environmental standards, including water conservation, waste management, and pesticide usage
- Lead initiatives to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of maintenance operations and landscaping projects
- Ensure full compliance with local, national, and international laws, standards, and regulations related to landscaping, safety, and maintenance activities
- Implement quality control measures in plant selection, soil preparation, irrigation, and other landscaping practices
- Ensure that all machinery, tools, and equipment are maintained in optimal working condition
- Develop and oversee schedules for routine and preventive maintenance to reduce operational downtime
- Establish and regularly update quality benchmarks for landscaping projects and maintenance services
- Conduct periodic reviews of QMS to identify improvement opportunities and ensure effectiveness
- Certify the company for quality standards such as ISO 9001 and environmental certifications like ISO 14001
Environmental Programs
Sustainability Practices:
- Promote eco-friendly landscaping techniques, such as xeriscaping and rainwater harvesting
- Reduce chemical pesticide use by adopting integrated pest management (IPM)
- Ensure proper disposal of green waste and recycling materials like plastic pots and irrigation pipes
- Set up composting programs for organic waste
- Review landscaping projects for compliance with local environmental regulations
- Minimize ecological disruption during operations
- Utilize electric or battery-powered landscaping equipment to reduce emissions
- Implement route optimization software for material and personnel transport
- Establish KPIs for safety (e.g. accident-free days) and environmental compliance
- Monitor adherence to safety protocols through regular audits
- Encourage a culture of safety and accountability through incentives
- Include safety and environmental topics in performance reviews
- Ensure all subcontractors comply with HSE guidelines
- Educate clients on sustainable practices during landscaping design and maintenance
- Perform regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards in landscaping and maintenance projects
- Investigate incidents, develop root cause analyses, and establish preventive measures to mitigate future risks
- Monitor subcontractors and vendors for adherence to quality and safety standards
- Lead client satisfaction surveys to assess service quality and identify improvement areas
- Serve as the key contact for addressing client concerns related to quality and safety
- Collaborate with project managers to incorporate client feedback into operational processes
- Establish a culture of accountability and excellence through regular coaching and mentoring
- Provide targeted training for quality assurance and safety personnel, ensuring they stay updated on industry standards and best practices
- Promote cross-functional collaboration to enhance quality outcomes across departments
- Incorporate eco-friendly practices and materials into landscaping designs and maintenance programs
- Stay updated on technological advancements in the industry and implement innovative solutions to improve quality and efficiency
- Evaluate new techniques and tools to reduce costs while maintaining high standards
Project Costing
Cost Estimation and Budgeting:
- Collaborate with project managers, estimators, and procurement teams to develop accurate cost estimates for landscaping projects
- Ensure that cost estimates account for quality standards, materials, labor, equipment, and overhead expenses
- Review and approve project budgets, ensuring alignment with the company’s financial and quality objectives
- Evaluate whether proposed costs align with required quality standards and ensure no compromise on deliverables
- Identify cost-effective alternatives for materials and services without impacting quality
- Monitor the impact of value engineering initiatives on both cost and quality
- Ensure that vendors and suppliers meet both cost-effectiveness and quality criteria
- Negotiate contracts with suppliers to achieve competitive pricing while maintaining compliance with quality standards
- Regularly assess supplier performance in terms of cost, delivery time, and product quality
- Implement systems to monitor actual project costs against budgets in real-time
- Investigate cost variances and take corrective action when needed to avoid budget overruns
- Ensure that quality assurance processes are integrated into cost management to avoid rework or penalties
- Oversee efficient allocation of resources (materials, labour, and equipment) to minimize costs while maintaining quality standards
- Optimize workforce scheduling to prevent unnecessary labor costs and downtime
- Analyze financial risks associated with landscaping projects, such as delays, supply chain issues, or unforeseen environmental challenges
- Develop contingency budgets to manage unexpected costs without compromising quality
- Prepare detailed cost reports and forecasts for senior management and stakeholders
- Document all cost-related decisions, ensuring transparency and accountability
- Ensure that project costing adheres to company policies, industry standards, and regulatory requirements
- Track project costing KPIs, such as cost variance, cost per square meter of landscaping, and return on investment (ROI)
- Conduct post-project reviews to evaluate the accuracy of cost estimates and identify areas for improvement
- Work closely with quality assurance teams to ensure that cost-cutting measures do not lead to substandard work
- Ensure that all project phases (design, implementation, and maintenance) meet agreed-upon quality and cost parameters
- Communicate project cost breakdowns and justifications to clients and stakeholders in a transparent manner
- Address client concerns about cost adjustments while ensuring adherence to project quality goals
- Act as a point of contact between the design team and internal stakeholders (construction and maintenance teams) and the end user/client
Project Planning
Defining Project Objectives:
- Collaborate with stakeholders to define clear project goals, deliverables, and success criteria
- Ensure that quality benchmarks are integrated into project objectives from the outset
- Align project objectives with the company’s broader mission, values, and client requirements
- Oversee the creation of detailed project plans, including scope, timelines, resource allocation, and cost estimates
- Ensure that plans incorporate quality assurance checkpoints and risk mitigation strategies
- Work with cross-functional teams (design, operations, and finance) to create comprehensive project schedules
- Liaise with the Landscape Design team to review design concepts to ensure they meet client specifications and market availability within given timelines
- Consider factors such as ease of construction, maintainability, environmental impact, sustainable lifecycle, and cost analysis of the design
- Set quality standards for project deliverables, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and client expectations
- Define measurable quality metrics and integrate them into the project plan
- Ensure that quality standards are communicated to all project stakeholders
- Identify potential risks (e.g. supply chain delays, weather conditions, or regulatory issues) that could impact project quality or timelines
- Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies, including contingency plans
- Monitor risk factors throughout the project lifecycle and adjust plans as necessary
- Ensure that resources (labour, materials, equipment, and technology) are planned efficiently to meet project demands
- Verify that allocated resources are enough to achieve quality objectives without incurring excessive costs
- Oversee resource optimization to minimize waste and maximize productivity
- Design workflows and processes to streamline project execution while maintaining quality
- Implement quality assurance protocols, such as regular inspections, audits, and feedback loops
- Ensure that project planning incorporates lean management principles to reduce inefficiencies
- Foster collaboration between project teams, ensuring alignment on quality standards and timelines
- Serve as the point of contact for quality-related aspects of project planning with internal teams, clients, and subcontractors
- Regularly communicate progress updates, quality metrics, and any changes to the project plan
- Recommend and implement project management software and quality control tools
- Ensure that technology solutions are used effectively to track progress, manage resources, and maintain quality standards
- Oversee the integration of digital tools for reporting, scheduling, and quality monitoring
- Ensure that project plans adhere to all applicable local, national, and international regulations
- Incorporate compliance requirements into the project timeline and budget
- Monitor regulatory updates and ensure plans are revised as needed
- Define key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure project success, such as on-time delivery, budget adherence, and quality scores
- Develop reporting templates for tracking progress against project milestones
- Present detailed reports on project planning and quality outcomes to senior management and stakeholders
- Conduct post-project evaluations to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement
- Implement feedback loops to refine planning processes and enhance future project quality
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement within the project planning team
- Engage with clients and stakeholders to gather input and ensure their expectations are incorporated into project plans
- Manage stakeholder expectations regarding timelines, budgets, and quality outcomes
- Ensure transparent and proactive communication throughout the planning phase
- Conduct on-site inspections of landscaping and maintenance projects to ensure adherence to quality, safety, and sustainability standards
- Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation, including audit reports, compliance manuals, and safety guidelines
- Oversee the selection and procurement of materials, ensuring quality and environmental sustainability
- Lead regular audits and assessments, both internal and external, to monitor compliance with industry and organizational standards
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for quality assurance, safety, and operational efficiency
- Manage budgets related to quality assurance, training, and safety programs to ensure cost-effectiveness without compromising standards
- Collaborate with marketing and business development teams to highlight the company's commitment to quality and safety in client proposals
- Develop action plans for addressing quality concerns raised by clients or employees, ensuring swift and effective resolution
- Monitor compliance with labor laws and standards related to employee safety and well-being, particularly for field workers
- Represent the organization in industry forums and regulatory discussions to stay ahead of trends and foster relationships with key stakeholders
Requirements
Education & Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field, such as Landscape Architecture, Environmental Science, Quality Management or a related discipline
- Master’s degree in business administration (MBA), Project Management, or a related field
- Years of Experience: 10-12 years in quality assurance, including 3-5 years in a leadership role
- Industry Experience: A proven background in landscaping, horticulture, or related industries is highly preferred
- Quality Management Systems: Demonstrated ability to implement and maintain quality management systems in a project-based environment
Competencies and Skills
Core Competencies
Quality Management Expertise:
- Proficient in designing, implementing, and maintaining Quality Management Systems (QMS) in alignment with ISO 9001 or equivalent standards
- Strong understanding of Total Quality Management (TQM), Six Sigma, and Lean practices
- Ability to develop and drive a strategic vision for quality assurance across the organization
- Skilled in fostering a culture of excellence and accountability within teams
- In-depth knowledge of landscaping processes, horticulture practices, and environmental sustainability standards
- Familiarity with local, national, and international quality and environmental regulations relevant to landscaping projects
- Analytical mindset to identify root causes of quality issues and implement effective corrective actions
- Skilled in making data-driven decisions to improve processes and outcomes
- Expertise in building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, suppliers, and regulatory bodies
- Ability to manage client expectations and consistently deliver high-quality services
Technical Skills
Auditing and Compliance:
- Experience conducting internal and external quality audits and ensuring compliance with relevant standards and regulations
- Skilled in preparing and managing documentation for audits, inspections, and certifications
- Proficient in analyzing quality metrics, generating reports, and identifying improvement opportunities
- Familiarity with tools for data visualization and reporting (e.g. Excel, Power BI)
- Competence in using advanced tools and software for quality inspections, monitoring, and process improvements
- Basic proficiency in design software (e.g. AutoCAD) to review project plans
- Proficient in managing multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring quality standards are met
- Familiarity with project management tools (e.g. MS Project, Asana, or Jira)
Leadership Skills
Team Development:
- Strong ability to mentor, guide, and train quality assurance teams, fostering professional growth
- Effective in delegating tasks and ensuring accountability across teams
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills for preparing reports, conducting presentations, and liaising with stakeholders
- Skilled in conflict resolution and negotiation to address quality concerns diplomatically
Adept at working with cross-functional teams, including project managers, contractors, and designers, to align quality goals with overall project objectives.
Soft Skills
- Attention to Detail: Highly detail-oriented to identify even minor deviations from quality standards
- Adaptability: Flexible in responding to evolving project demands and regulatory changes
- Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Ability to implement innovative solutions to enhance quality assurance processes and stay ahead of industry trends
- Time Management: Strong organizational skills to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines without compromising quality
Environmental and Sustainability Competencies
Eco-Friendly Practices:
- Commitment to promoting and implementing sustainable landscaping practices
- Knowledge of water conservation techniques
- Expertise in the use of sustainable materials
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