Director Advisory Group Water And Maritime Middle East

Would you like to contribute to Haskoning’s ambitious Strategy in the Middle East? The region is one of our strategic focus areas, currently with Water and Maritime at its core. Haskoning aims to build on this core to accelerate growth and expand other parts of the businesses through a cross-business line Advisory Group.

What You Do As a Director Advisory Group

As the Director of the Advisory Group (DAG) Water & Maritime Middle East, you will lead, develop, and empower a dynamic international team of 30 plus highly skilled professionals based primarily in the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Saudia Arabia. You will be supported by the management team of Water & Maritime Americas Middle East & India and the Associate Directors in the Advisory Group based in Oman and the United Arab Emirates. In this pivotal role, you will not just manage a team — you will spearhead growth, drive innovation, and shape the future of the Haskoning business in the Middle East in a way that enhances sustainability and resilience for clients across the globe.

Furthermore, you will also lead the development and growth of a cross-business line Advisory Group. The group currently comprises around 10 staff and is expected to grow to approximately 50 over the next four years. You will be responsible for executing the group’s growth strategy, developing a strong and diverse team, and creating effective collaboration across different parts of Haskoning’s global business. This will include identifying new client opportunities, shaping multidisciplinary advisory services, strengthening relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, and ensuring the group achieves sustainable commercial performance. You will play a central role in establishing the cross-business Advisory Group as a recognised platform for integrated advisory services in the Middle East, with a focus on growth, innovation, client impact, and long-term value for Haskoning.

In addition to the Director of Advisory Group it is expected that you will in due course assume responsibilities of Resident Director for the UAE. In this capacity, you will act as Haskoning’s senior representative in the United Arab Emirates, providing country-level leadership across all Business Lines and Global Leading Markets. Resident Director is responsible for the effective management of the UAE entity, ensuring that local operations are aligned with company strategy, governance requirements, and regional and global priorities. This includes oversight of statutory and regulatory compliance, company registrations, finance and taxation, payroll, human resources, visas and work permits, facilities management, health and safety, risk management, and the overall performance and culture of the local office. Resident Director will also represent Haskoning with clients, partners, authorities, and other key stakeholders, helping to strengthen our market position, safeguard business continuity, and enable sustainable growth in the UAE.

This opportunity has arisen as the current incumbent moves into a new role within Haskoning. We are seeking a successor who is committed to the Haskoning group and the region for the long term.

Key Performance Indicators:

• P&L Responsibility, Commercial success and continuous improvement: Drive the commercial and financial success of the Advisory Group by fostering co-creation with global clients and partners. Generate focused growth in our key markets by connecting teams within the Advisory Group and with other expertise centres across the globe.
• Stakeholder management: Build strong communication channels within and outside Haskoning to encourage seamless cooperation and create a distinct, unified identity. You will serve as the glue that holds teams together, fostering relationships that accelerate both business and environmental impact.
• People management: Cultivate an environment and culture where both individuals and the business can thrive. Develop the Advisory Group strategy as part of Haskoning’s overarching corporate and Business Line / Business Unit strategies and enable the Associate Directors to implement it successfully under your guidance and leadership.

• Project Delivery (of proof of concepts, projects and support contracts), including: 
• Meeting client's expectations, achieving required scope and quality
• Driving Financial performance
• Promoting solid and accountable project management practices.
  
  

You will report directly to the Business Unit Director of Water & Maritime Americas Middle East & India and be a key member of the Business Unit Management Team, collaborating on the broader vision and strategy of our business.

Where will you work

Haskoning is a globally established and operating independent consultancy, engineering and project management firm which integrates over 140 years of domain expertise with digital technologies and software solutions. Our 6,500 colleagues work from offices in more than 25 countries across the world. Through our mission Enhancing Society Together, we take responsibility for having a positive impact on the planet.

You will be based in our Dubai office with frequent travel across the region.

What You Bring

We are looking for a visionary leader with a strategic mindset. You thrive in dynamic environments, have a natural ability to lead and inspire diverse teams, and are ready to drive the next chapter of growth for the Middle East.

• Higher Education in engineering, management or environmental disciplines;
• Extensive Experience in Engineering Consultancy in the Maritime or related industry, also with the knowledge of the Energy & Industry sectors being advantageous;
• Minimum of 5 years Line management (including P&L) responsibility, with proven experience to lead teams of at least 30 people;
• A network of clients in the Middle East region is a significant advantage;
• General management and entity management experience is an advantage;
• Fluent in English with the ability to engage stakeholders across cultures and geographies. Arabic would be an advantage but is not essential;
• An international outlook, with experience working in diverse, multicultural environments, ensuring effective communication across borders
  
  
  

What we offer

Within our company you will be able to develop yourself while working on challenging projects across the globe. Besides that, we also offer:

• A good work-life balance, with the flexibility to work from home up to 2 days per week;
• 25 annual leave days per year, based on a 40-hour work week;
• A competitive salary package;
• Lifelong learning by offering you plenty of training & development opportunities.
• Profit share based on company profit.
• Medical insurance
  
  
  

Are you our new colleague?

We would like to meet you! Click on the apply button and upload your resume and motivation letter. After receiving your application, we will contact you as soon as possible. Are we all enthusiastic after this? Then you will receive an offer from us, and we will be happy to welcome you on board!

In case of questions, please contact Anouk de Winter, recruiter, anouk.de.winter@haskoning.com.

Please note the deadline for receiving applications is Wednesday the 15th of July 2026.

Due to the privacy law, please submit your application via the apply button and not via email.

Acquisition of this vacancy by agencies is not appreciated and the candidates offered will not be taken into consideration.

---