Associate - Creative Lead Aquatic Design

Job Description

WSP Middle East is seeking a highly creative, technically savvy, and client-facing design professional to join our newly formed Aquatic Design Division as Associate – Creative Lead. This senior role is responsible for shaping and delivering the artistic vision of our aquatic environments during the early project phases—namely Concept and Schematic Design.

You will lead a talented group of design associates, 3D visualisation artists, and creative technicians, developing narratives, aesthetics, and experiences that push boundaries. The ideal candidate will possess a strong sense of design storytelling, hand-sketching capabilities, knowledge of product and material innovations (e.g., lighting, special effects, water technologies), and the ability to translate vision into compelling presentations.

This role reports directly to the Head of Aquatic Design and plays a key part in WSP’s multidisciplinary creative offering, integrating with landscape architects, lighting designers, and experiential teams to bring to life immersive aquatic spaces.

Responsibilities

Design Leadership & Creative Direction

• Develop original design concepts for water features and swimming pools, incorporating aesthetics, sensory experiences, sustainability, and client vision.
• Be accountable for all creative outputs across concept and schematic stages, including sketches, Rhino/3D models, rendered visuals, and multimedia presentations.
• Use hand sketching, Adobe Suite, Rhino, and simulation tools (e.g., Syncronorm) to communicate ideas rapidly and effectively.
• Explore and specify creative technologies—lighting, jets, audio, water choreography, fog, and material effects—with an understanding of their design implications and feasibility.
  
  
  

• Lead visioning workshops and client presentations, clearly articulating design narrative and creative strategies.
• Respond to RFIs and collaborate closely with the client’s creative teams and consultants to shape project direction.
• Serve as the accountable point of contact for creative deliverables and ensure alignment with both internal teams and external expectations.
  
  
  

• Supervise a growing creative team including design associates and digital designers.
• Oversee development of moodboards, briefs, InDesign reports, and narrative packages for use in tenders and client presentations.
• Lead the creative QAQC process, ensuring that all creative outputs are innovative, accurate, and align with WSP’s quality standards.
  
  
  

• Implement lessons learned and continuous improvement strategies across projects.
• Coordinate design simulation reviews, creative reports, and sustainability narratives.
  
  
  

• Work closely with the Technical Lead to ensure the creative vision is retained through to detailed design and construction.
• Participate in interdisciplinary design discussions with architecture, BIM, MEP, and lighting teams to ensure integration and alignment.
  
  
  

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or a related design discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in concept design for built environments, ideally with a focus on water features, public realm, or experiential installations
• Strong portfolio demonstrating creative vision, hand-sketching ability, and proficiency with digital tools (Rhino, SketchUp, Adobe Suite, Syncronorm, etc.)
• Confident in client-facing roles with exceptional verbal presentation and storytelling skills
• Experience integrating product knowledge (e.g., jets, nozzles, lighting, fog systems) into concept development
• Familiarity with technical integration and understanding of how engineering constraints shape design
• Knowledge of sustainability principles with the ability to incorporate them into the creative brief and design documentation
• Proven collaborative experience with engineers, consultants, and multidisciplinary design teams
• Demonstrated leadership in guiding creative teams and nurturing talent
• Previous experience within an international design consultancy is preferred