Design Manager - Infrastructure

WSP in the Middle East; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 500,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the Middle East is seeking an experienced Design Manager to join our Abu Dhabi team, delivering large-scale infrastructure and masterplanning projects across Abu Dhabi and the wider Middle East region. You will lead multidisciplinary design teams, coordinate inputs across roads, utilities, drainage, and structures, and manage design programmes, budgets, and approvals with UAE authorities.

This role emphasizes stakeholder management, leadership, and mentoring junior staff in a dynamic

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline (Master’s preferred).
• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional accreditation preferred.
• Minimum 10–15 years’ experience in infrastructure and masterplanning design delivery.
• Strong experience managing large-scale infrastructure masterplan projects in Abu Dhabi and the Middle East.
• Demonstrated experience with UAE authorities and local approval processes.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in fast-paced consultancy environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multidisciplinary design teams across infrastructure and masterplanning projects from concept through detailed design and construction support.
• Coordinate design inputs across roads, utilities, drainage, structures, and public realm disciplines.
• Act as the primary design interface with clients, authorities, and key stakeholders in Abu Dhabi and across the Middle East.
• Manage design programmes, budgets, resources, and deliverables to ensure timely and high-quality project outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with Abu Dhabi authority standards, codes, and approval processes (e.g., DMT, ADM, ITC, Estidama).
• Lead design risk management, value engineering, and constructability reviews.
• Support bid preparation, technical proposals, and client presentations.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to the development of WSP’s design management capability in the region.

Skills

Multidisciplinary coordination

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Infrastructure design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Chartered Engineer status or equivalent

Job description

Job Description

WSP is seeking an experienced Design Manager to join our Abu Dhabi team, supporting the delivery of large-scale infrastructure and masterplanning projects across Abu Dhabi and the wider Middle East region. This role will suit candidates with strong multidisciplinary coordination experience and a proven track record managing complex design packages for major urban, transport, and infrastructure developments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multidisciplinary design teams across infrastructure and masterplanning projects from concept through detailed design and construction support.
• Coordinate design inputs across roads, utilities, drainage, structures, and public realm disciplines.
• Act as the primary design interface with clients, authorities, and key stakeholders in Abu Dhabi and across the Middle East.
• Manage design programmes, budgets, resources, and deliverables to ensure timely and high-quality project outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with Abu Dhabi authority standards, codes, and approval processes (e.g., DMT, ADM, ITC, Estidama).
• Lead design risk management, value engineering, and constructability reviews.
• Support bid preparation, technical proposals, and client presentations.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to the development of WSP’s design management capability in the region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline (Master’s preferred).
• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional accreditation preferred.
• Minimum 10–15 years’ experience in infrastructure and masterplanning design delivery.
• Strong experience managing large-scale infrastructure masterplan projects in Abu Dhabi and across the Middle East.
• Demonstrated experience working with UAE authorities and navigating local approval processes.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in complex, fast-paced consultancy environments.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and leadership skills.

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