Associate Director - Water (Hydrology and Stormwater)

WSP in the Middle East; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the Middle East seeks an Associate Director - Water (Hydrology & Stormwater) to lead hydrology, stormwater, flood risk, and drainage design across Emirates. You will provide technical governance, drive strategy, and oversee major infrastructure and land development projects from Sharjah/Dubai.

You will bring 18+ years of UAE-facing experience, lead multidisciplinary teams, manage key client and authority relationships, and shape innovative, resilient water management solutions for a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Water Engineering; Master’s preferred.
• 18+ years in hydrology, stormwater, flood risk, and drainage design.
• Extensive UAE infrastructure project experience.
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams.
• Expert in hydrological/hydraulic modelling software.
• Chartered Engineer status desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead hydrology and stormwater studies for major infrastructure projects.
• Provide technical governance and reviews of deliverables.
• Manage client and authority relationships.
• Drive technical excellence and consistency across portfolios.
• Support business development and proposals.
• Mentor and develop water engineering teams.

Skills

Hydrology

Stormwater

Flood risk

Drainage design

Technical governance

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Client engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Water Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

InfoWorks ICM

HEC-RAS

Flood Modeller

StormCAD

MicroDrainage

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Associate Director - Water (Hydrology & Stormwater) to join our Transport & Infrastructure business unit in Sharjah/Dubai, UAE. This senior role will be responsible for leading the technical delivery, strategic direction, and growth of hydrology, stormwater management, flood risk, and drainage design services across major infrastructure and land development projects throughout the Emirate.

The successful candidate will bring 18+ years of experience in hydrology and stormwater engineering, with extensive knowledge of infrastructure projects and authority requirements. You will work with multidisciplinary teams, provide technical governance, manage senior client and authority relationships, and drive the development of innovative, resilient, and sustainable water management solutions.

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Hydrology Expertise

• Lead complex hydrological assessments, flood risk studies, stormwater management strategies, and drainage master planning for major infrastructure and land development projects.
• Provide technical leadership in hydrological and hydraulic modelling, catchment analysis, climate resilience assessments, and sustainable drainage solutions.
• Direct the development of innovative stormwater management strategies aligned with regional sustainability objectives.
• Review and approve technical deliverables including reports, designs, calculations, modelling outputs, and authority submissions.
• Ensure compliance with local authority requirements, industry standards, and international best practices.

Strategic Project Delivery

• Provide technical oversight across multiple large-scale infrastructure programmes.
• Support Project Directors and senior project teams on complex water-related challenges and delivery strategies.
• Lead technical risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies for project success.
• Ensure integration of hydrology and stormwater designs within broader infrastructure and master planning projects.
• Drive technical excellence and consistency across project portfolios.

Client & Authority Engagement

• Act as a senior technical advisor and trusted client representative.
• Lead high-level stakeholder workshops, design reviews, and project governance meetings.
• Manage authority engagement and approval processes with relevant UAE entities.
• Build long-term client relationships and support strategic account development.
• Provide expert technical advice on major infrastructure pursuits and project opportunities.

Team Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop hydrology, drainage, and water engineering teams.
• Promote technical excellence, knowledge sharing, and continuous professional development.
• Conduct technical reviews and quality assurance assessments across projects.
• Support succession planning and capability growth within the discipline.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture.

Business Development & Growth

• Lead technical input into major proposals, bids, and framework opportunities.
• Support business planning and growth initiatives within the Water and Infrastructure sectors.
• Identify emerging market opportunities and promote innovative service offerings.
• Develop thought leadership initiatives and represent the organisation at industry forums and conferences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, or a related discipline (Master's degree preferred).
• Minimum 18+ years of experience in hydrology, stormwater management, flood risk assessment, and drainage design.
• Extensive experience delivering major infrastructure and land development projects within the UAE.
• Proven track record of leading multidisciplinary teams on large-scale infrastructure programmes.
• Advanced knowledge of hydrological and hydraulic modelling software including InfoWorks ICM, HEC-RAS, Flood Modeller, StormCAD, MicroDrainage, or similar platforms.
• Strong understanding of UAE authority requirements, approval processes, and design standards.
• Demonstrated client-facing leadership experience and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Experience supporting business development, proposal preparation, and strategic client engagement.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and technical governance skills.
• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional accreditation is highly desirable.

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.