A civil engineering graduate of the Arizona State University ASU, Lootah began his career as an engineer with the Federal Ministry for Electricity and Water. He joined Dubai Municipality in 1985. He was appointed as Assistant Director General for Environment and Public Health Affairs. In 2004, he was later transferred to the post of the Assistant DG for Planning and Building Affairs.

Lootah was promoted on 22 December 2005 as the Deputy Director General of the Municipality. He also chaired a number of committees at the Municipality such as the Technical Committee, Strategic Plan Committee, e-Government Committee, Personnel Committee, and organizing committees for a number of conferences organized by the municipality. He was also instrumental in winning some 30 local, regional and international awards for Dubai Municipality.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, The Ruler of Dubai, issued a Decree to appoint His Excellency as The Director General of Dubai Municipality Mayor of Dubai. His tenure lasted from 2008 till 2018.

As the Director General of Dubai Municipality, his duty is to manage the civic body, helped by a team of six assistants who head as many sectors consisting of (​32) departments. (4) departments to him directly. Mr. Lootah also played a distinctive role in setting up the UAE Engineers Society and was its Chairman from 1992 to 1996.

Through his position, Lootah assumed the Chairmanship and membership of many government committees, such as Chairman of the Infrastructure Committee, Member of the Executive Council, Member of the Expo Supreme Committee, the Economic Council, the Dubai Strategic Council, the Dubai Council Committee on Climate Change, the Security Committee, and others.... He also Chaired the Cleveland Bridge Board of Directors, in addition to being on the Board of SsangYong Emirates.

His Excellency’s retirement was commemorated by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in a prestigious event attended by their Highnesses the Sheikhs, Head of local government departments and government executives as well as local and international dignitaries.

Lootah's tenure in office was marked by many achievements that resonated globally, to name a few: the architectural icon "Dubai Frame", the deep tunnelling project dubbed as "The Project of The Century ", in addition to the Quranic Garden, the Mohammed bin Rashid Library, Dubai safari, and many specialized markets such as the Automotive Market, Construction Materials Market, Birds Market, Spare Parts Market, among many others... He also contributed during this stage to the supervision of the most important historical discoveries represented by the Saruq Al Hadid and the establishment of its museum, in addition to developing and restoring The most important historical areas in the Emirate of Dubai, such as the Shindagha area and the Old Souks.

The growth of government revenues is also added to the most important achievements of Lootah, as the municipality ranked first in terms of revenues during the last three years of his assumption of office, in addition to the issuance of many regulatory legislations that led to the regulation of the relationship between land owners and developers and the Municipality in a way that ensures justice, flexibility and transparency.

Lootah currently Chairman of the board of ALEC Engineering and Contracting L.LC. (ALEC), part of the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), also sits on the board of Dubai Investment, the board of trustees of Dubai Medical College, among others…, he also Chairs Al Mal Capital Oversight Committee. Lootah also heads his own group of companies "Hussain Lootah Group", and its work generally revolves around robotics technology, engineering and electromechanical consultancy, real estate, hospitality, and others...