Associate Director - Transport Planning & Mobility

WSP; Dubai; On-site; AED 850,000 - 1,150,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP Middle East seeks an Associate Director in Transport Planning & Mobility to lead complex planning and multidisciplinary infrastructure projects across the UAE and Middle East. You will provide technical leadership, client advisory services, and oversee delivery from feasibility through design approvals.

The role requires extensive experience in transport planning, mobility strategy, and stakeholder engagement, with a track record of managing major projects and teams in the region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in transport planning, civil or urban engineering.
• 12–18 years in transport planning and mobility consultancy.
• Experience in UAE/Middle East markets.
• Chartered or professional accreditation desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead transport planning inputs on multidisciplinary projects across the UAE and wider Middle East.
• Provide technical leadership for Transport Master Plans, TIS, TIAs, and TOD studies.
• Manage project budgets, programme delivery, and client reporting on major infrastructure and urban developments.
• Mentor and lead multidisciplinary project teams and groom junior staff.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Client-facing

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Transport Planning or related

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Associate Director - Transport Planning & Mobility

Job Description

WSP Middle East is seeking an experienced and client-focused Associate Director – Transport Planning & Mobility to join our growing Transport Planning & Mobility team in the UAE.

The successful candidate will play a leading role in the delivery of complex transport planning, mobility, and multidisciplinary infrastructure projects across the Middle East, working closely with clients, government authorities, developers, and internal design teams. The role offers the opportunity to contribute to some of the region's most significant transportation, urban development, master planning, infrastructure, and mobility programmes.

As an Associate Director, you will provide technical leadership, project oversight, and client advisory services while supporting business growth and helping develop the next generation of transport planning professionals. The role requires close collaboration with highways, public transport, rail, urban planning, master planning, digital, sustainability, and infrastructure teams to deliver integrated and future-ready mobility solutions

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Lead the delivery of transport planning and mobility assignments across the UAE and wider Middle East.
• Provide technical leadership for:
• Transport Master Plans
• Transport Impact Studies (TIS)
• Traffic Impact Assessments (TIA)
• Mobility Strategies
• Multimodal Transport Studies
• Public Transport Planning
• Accessibility & Active Mobility Plans
• Parking Strategies
• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Studies
• Future Mobility & Smart Mobility Assessments
• Review and approve technical reports, presentations, models, and client deliverables.
• Ensure compliance with local authority requirements, international best practice, and WSP quality standards.
• Provide strategic transport planning advice throughout the project lifecycle from feasibility through to design development and approvals.

Project Delivery & Design Integration

• Lead transport planning inputs on multidisciplinary projects including:
• Major infrastructure projects
• Urban developments
• Mixed-use masterplans
• New cities and communities
• Aviation developments
• Economic zones
• Tourism and hospitality projects
• Public realm and mobility enhancement programmes
• Coordinate closely with highways, rail, structures, utilities, architecture, urban planning, landscape, sustainability, and environmental teams.
• Manage project budgets, programme delivery, resource allocation, quality assurance, and commercial performance.
• Act as Project Manager or Discipline Lead for major transport planning commissions.
• Support project directors in delivering high-profile client assignments throughout the Middle East.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, government authorities, developers, and public sector agencies.
• Lead client meetings, workshops, technical presentations, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key transport authorities and regulatory bodies across the UAE and Middle East.
• Provide guidance on planning approvals, mobility policy, and transport-related regulatory requirements.
• Support clients in developing sustainable, efficient, and people-focused transportation solutions.

Business Development & Work Winning

• Support the growth of WSP's Transport Planning & Mobility business across the region.
• Identify new opportunities and strengthen relationships with existing clients.
• Lead or contribute to technical and commercial proposals, bids, and framework submissions.
• Support fee development, project strategies, and pursuit planning activities.
• Contribute to market intelligence, sector growth initiatives, and service innovation.
• Represent WSP at industry events, conferences, and client forums where appropriate.
• Mentor, coach, and develop transport planners and mobility specialists.
• Provide technical guidance and support across project teams.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Support recruitment, capability building, and succession planning initiatives.
• Promote knowledge sharing and best practice across the wider Transport & Infrastructure business.

Future Mobility & Innovation

• Support the development of innovative transport and mobility solutions for clients.
• Promote sustainable mobility, public transport integration, active travel, and low-carbon transport solutions.
• Contribute to initiatives involving:
• Mobility as a Service (MaaS)
• Smart Mobility
• Shared Mobility
• Autonomous Mobility
• Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
• Data-Driven Mobility Planning
• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
• Help strengthen WSP's position as a leader in future mobility across the Middle East.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Transport Planning, Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Urban Planning, Geography, Architecture, or a related discipline.

Master's Degree in Transport Planning, Transportation Engineering, Urban Planning, Mobility, or a related field is preferred.

Chartered or professionally accredited status with a recognised institution such as CIHT, TPS, ICE, ITE, RTPI, or equivalent is desirable.

Typically 12-18 years of professional experience in transport planning and mobility consultancy.

Strong experience delivering projects in the UAE and wider Middle East.

Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary transport planning assignments.

Strong knowledge of transport planning methodologies, development planning, mobility strategy, and transport policy.

Experience working with government authorities, transport agencies, and private sector developers.

Proven client-facing experience and ability to manage senior stakeholder relationships.

Experience leading project teams and mentoring junior staff.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.