Project Director - Infrastructure

WSP is seeking an accomplished Project Director - Infrastructure to lead the delivery of major infrastructure and masterplan development projects across the UAE. This is a strategic leadership position within the Transport & Infrastructure business, responsible for overseeing the planning, design, coordination, commercial performance, and successful delivery of complex multidisciplinary projects for public and private sector clients.

The successful candidate will bring extensive experience working with leading international engineering consultancies and have a proven track record delivering large-scale infrastructure and masterplan development projects throughout the UAE. The role requires a strong technical engineering background, preferably in Civil Engineering, combined with exceptional project leadership, commercial acumen, and stakeholder management capabilities.

As a client-facing leader, the Project Director will serve as the primary point of contact for key clients and stakeholders, ensuring project objectives are achieved while maintaining the highest standards of quality, governance, commercial performance, and client satisfaction.

Project Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the successful delivery of large-scale infrastructure and masterplan development projects across the UAE.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership throughout the project lifecycle from planning and design through to execution and close-out.
• Establish project delivery strategies, execution plans, governance frameworks, and performance objectives.
• Drive project performance, ensuring delivery against scope, schedule, budget, quality, and client expectations.
• Oversee multidisciplinary teams comprising engineering, planning, commercial, project controls, and specialist disciplines.
• Ensure effective coordination between internal teams, clients, contractors, government authorities, and external stakeholders.

Client Relationship & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary client interface and trusted advisor for major projects.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with government entities, developers, infrastructure authorities, and key stakeholders.
• Lead executive-level client engagement and facilitate strategic project discussions.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and ensure proactive communication throughout project delivery.
• Represent the business at project steering committees, governance boards, and executive meetings.
• Support business growth through the development of long-term client relationships and identification of future opportunities.

Commercial & Financial Management

• Take overall accountability for project financial performance and commercial outcomes.
• Oversee project budgets, forecasting, resource planning, profitability, and risk management.
• Support contract negotiations, commercial discussions, and project governance activities.
• Ensure the effective management of project variations, change controls, claims, and commercial risks.
• Drive operational excellence and ensure projects achieve financial and performance targets.
• Monitor project KPIs and implement corrective actions where required.

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical oversight and guidance on complex infrastructure and masterplan development projects.
• Ensure engineering solutions align with client objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Review project deliverables and ensure technical excellence across all disciplines.
• Support technical innovation and promote value-driven engineering solutions.
• Lead multidisciplinary design coordination and decision-making processes.
• Champion quality, safety, sustainability, and technical governance across project teams.

Risk, Governance & Compliance

• Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with corporate governance requirements and project management standards.
• Lead project risk identification, mitigation, and escalation processes.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, regulatory frameworks, and client requirements.
• Oversee project audits, reviews, assurance processes, and lessons-learned activities.
• Promote a culture of accountability, quality, and continuous improvement.

Business Development & Strategic Growth

• Support business development initiatives and strategic pursuits across the UAE.
• Participate in client presentations, bids, tenders, and proposal development activities.
• Identify opportunities for repeat business and expansion within existing client accounts.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of business unit strategies.
• Provide market intelligence and insights relating to the UAE infrastructure sector.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, motivate, and develop high-performing multidisciplinary project teams.

• Mentor Project Managers, Design Managers, and technical leaders across the business.

• Foster a collaborative and inclusive project culture focused on excellence and client service.

• Support succession planning, talent development, and capability growth initiatives.

• Promote knowledge sharing and best practice across the wider organisation.

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline.

• Master's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business Administration, or a related field is desirable.

• Minimum 20+ years of professional experience within engineering consultancy, infrastructure delivery, or major development programmes.

• Proven experience working with leading international engineering consultancies.

• Demonstrated track record delivering large-scale infrastructure masterplans and land development projects in the UAE.

• Significant experience leading multidisciplinary project teams on complex projects.

• Strong understanding of the UAE infrastructure, transport, and development market.

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