Milad Gerami

For the past 18 months, I worked on the construction of the largest rubber belt factory in the Middle East, located in Dubai Industrial City, UAE. The project plot area is over 20,000 sqm, with a built-up area of 14,000 sqm and about 1,300 sqm of office fit-out. The structure of the main building is steel, while service areas (like RMU, pump room, substation, and LV rooms) were built with concrete structure. The MEP scope was extensive, including systems for compressed air, high/low-pressure steam, chilled and domestic water, dust collection, and mechanical and electrical systems.

I joined the project during the early design stage, initially working as a Quantity Surveyor, and later taking on the role of Project Manager, responsible for supervision and coordination of contractors. My main responsibilities included:

• Understanding the client’s requirements, communicating them to all project parties, and following up to ensure tasks were completed as expected.
• Reviewing and approving the monthly payment applications submitted by the main contractor.
• Reviewing BOQs, assumptions, and tender drawings, and aligning them with client requirements to avoid potential variations in future.
• Coordinating architectural, structural, and MEP drawings to prevent clashes during execution.
• Preparing daily, weekly, and monthly reports, as well as worksheets for each contractor to monitor progress and support payment approvals.
• Searching, evaluating, contracting, and monitoring suppliers and subcontractors.
• Receiving and inspecting materials and goods on-site with proper documentation and reporting.
• Reviewing and validating variation claims.
• Document control, including managing delivery notes, MIRs, WIRs, approved drawings, tax invoices, contracts, MOMs, etc.
• Managing the full interior design scope, including ceilings, flooring, lighting, decorative elements, and partitions — from design and estimation through to execution, with assigned subcontractors.

Now as the project is completed and all authority approvals (DDA, DEWA, DCD, ...) have been obtained, I’m looking for a new challenge and open to opportunities in industrial, residential, or fit-out projects.

In my last experience in Iran, I was involved in the construction of five residential buildings in two years as a project manager. I had different responsibilities throughout the projects, such as:

• Planning and controlling the construction phase of each building using MS Project
• Preparing daily and monthly progress reports to monitor each project and identify limitations or obstacles
• Monitoring and evaluating the performance of each site
• Supporting and advising site supervisors
• Planning procurement based on project needs

Above all, I learned how important good communication is, with both the team and other stakeholders. It makes a difference in keeping the projects running smoothly.

This was my second experience in this field and I was managing two construction sites at the same time:

The first one is a 5-floor building, including one parking level and four residential floors. Each floor is about 140 square meters, with just one unit per floor.

The second one is a 8-floor building with two basement levels for parking and six residential floors. Each floor is 250 square meters and has two units.

During these projects, I was more involved in the execution phase and got to work on a wide range of tasks. I picked up experience with mechanical and electrical systems, block work, floor and wall tiling, and the installation of the building façade.

Additionally, I improved my 2 skills during this time:

The first was project planning. I learned how to plan both short- and long-term tasks based on the milestones, a available budget, and limited resources.

The second was team management. As a site supervisor, it’s important to have the skills to manage your team, resolve conflicts, keep everyone motivated, and maintain a positive work environment. You need to act as both a leader and a facilitator.

This was my first professional experience in the construction field, where I became familiar with the execution phase of a construction project. During this time, I gained valuable skills and learned to read structural drawings, apply safety requirements, create a real project WBS, improving communication skills with workers and contractors, and site work monitoring and reporting.

This project was located in Tehran, Iran. It’s a 9-story building with a concrete structure, consisting of 2 basement levels for parking and 7 residential floors. Each floor covers 680 square meters and includes 3 residential units.