Project Director

Job Description

WSP is seeking a highly experienced Project Director to lead the delivery of major, multidimensional infrastructure projects in Abu Dhabi. The successful candidate will have overall responsibility for project governance, technical excellence, commercial performance, and client satisfaction, managing large multidisciplinary design teams across complex, high‑profile programmes.

This role requires a proven leader with extensive Abu Dhabi project experience, strong client‑facing capability, and the ability to drive delivery excellence in a fast‑paced, regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Oversight & Client Care
• Lead multidisciplinary design teams across large-scale infrastructure or building projects.
• Interface with the senior representatives of the Client, consultants and contractors.
• Provide strategic direction and ensure alignment with client objectives and project goals.
• Act as the primary point of contact for design-related matters with clients, consultants, and stakeholders.
• Overall responsibility for the management of all staff within the project.
• Design Management
• Oversee the development of design concepts, schematic designs, and detailed design documentation.
• Ensure design compliance with regulatory standards, codes, and sustainability requirements.
• Review and approve design deliverables at key project milestones.
• Project Planning & Coordination
• Manage project management plans, design schedules, budgets, and resource plans.
• Coordinate between architectural, engineering, and specialist consultants to ensure integrated design solutions.
• Facilitate design workshops, value engineering sessions, and stakeholder presentations.
• Maintain strategic alignment between the project and the organization. Regularly communicate with the company management & key stakeholders to ensure project outcomes are met.
• Quality Assurance
• Implement design quality control procedures and ensure adherence to best practices.
• Monitor design progress and resolve technical issues or design conflicts quickly.
• Contract Responsibilities
• Accountable for the timely delivery of the contract obligations against the key business metrics.
• Meet the project objectives within the agreed timescales and budget, whilst ensuring that the Project Management Systems are applied throughout the project lifecycle.
• Risk & Change Management
• Set project governance, identify design risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Manage design changes and ensure proper documentation and communication.
• Promote and maintain health and safety and ensure safety rules are being followed.
• Team Development
• Mentor and support junior design managers and technical staff.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative design culture within the team.
• Reporting & Communication
• Prepare regular design progress reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively with contractors during pre-construction and tender phases.
  
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline (Master’s degree preferred)
• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional accreditation
• 20+ years of relevant experience delivering large‑scale infrastructure projects, ideally within a consultancy environment
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary design teams on complex programmes, with a minimum of 10 years experience in Abu Dhabi
• Strong understanding of local authority processes, standards, and approval frameworks
• Demonstrated experience managing project governance, commercial performance, and risk
• Strong client‑facing, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• Experience working within collaborative delivery models and joint ventures
• Chartered Engineer or equivalent professional accreditation is desirable
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Fluent in English
  
  
  

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