Head of Department - Civil Structural Architectural

Wood; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Competitive remuneration

Employee Share Plan

Long Service Award

Job summary

Wood is looking for an experienced Head of Department in Abu Dhabi to lead the engineering discipline. This role involves driving engineering excellence and managing teams for extensive onshore and offshore projects while ensuring alignment with company goals.

The successful candidate will have over 25 years of expertise, particularly in mega projects, coupled with strong leadership and strategic capabilities. Wood offers competitive remuneration, medical insurance, and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 25 years of experience in Onshore and Offshore Mega Projects (Capex over 2 billion USD).
• Minimum 5 years as Head of Discipline.
• Expert-level understanding of discipline engineering tools and technologies.

Responsibilities

• Drive engineering excellence within Civil, Structural and Architectural teams.
• Ensure high-quality delivery of engineering services.
• Provide functional leadership to discipline engineers.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Engineering Excellence

Strategic Thinking

Multicultural Team Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline

Job description

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Head of Department with a proven track record in leading and managing the discipline engineering department, ensuring the successful execution of projects and alignment with company goals for a high‑profile client.

Key Objectives

• Accountable for driving engineering excellence within the Civil, Structural and Architectural teams for both Onshore and Offshore Projects across the region.
• Ensure consistent, safe and high‑quality delivery of engineering services.
• Effective governance of discipline practices and development of engineering capability.
• Provide functional leadership to Discipline Engineers of both onshore and offshore projects and maintain oversight of all discipline engineering activities within the business.
• Serve as a subject‑matter expert supporting continuous improvement and technical excellence across the wider organisation.
• Role‑model the company’s values and behaviours, demonstrating the highest standards of safety, ethics and inclusivity.

Benefits

• Meaningful and interesting projects delivered to high‑profile clients across the Energy Sector.
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion.
• Competitive remuneration package with regular reviews.
• Medical Insurance providing inpatient and outpatient care.
• Group Life and Personal Accident Insurance.
• Life Assurance cover.
• End of Service Gratuity in line with UAE Labor Law; all employees are eligible.
• Employee Share Plan – opportunity to purchase Wood shares with a company match.
• Long Service Award celebrating commitment and loyalty at 5‑year milestones.
• Commitment to continued professional development with tailored plans.
• Global connections with experts worldwide, including energy transition academies.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree as a minimum in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Minimum 25 years of experience in Onshore and Offshore Mega Projects (Capex of over 2 billion USD).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in managing in the role of Head of Discipline.
• Experience in ASSESS, Pre‑FEED, FEED and Detailed Design stages of projects.
• Extensive experience in engineering delivery of CSA Discipline projects with over 250K man‑hours.
• Deep knowledge of ASCE, ACI, AASHTO, ISO Codes and Middle East client specifications.
• Experience working with ADNOC, Qatar Energy, KNPC, KOC, BGC, BP and Shell.
• Working knowledge of Topography Survey, Geotechnical Investigations, Architecture and Offshore Structural Engineering.
• Expert‑level understanding of discipline engineering tools, processes and technologies.
• Strong understanding of client business drivers.
• Proven experience in developing and leading high‑performing engineering teams.
• Strategic thinking and problem‑solving capability.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural and cross‑functional environments.
• Competent in people interviewing, selection, communication and management, including performance management.
• Proactive, positive and professional interaction with team members.
• Coaching and mentoring capability focused on talent development.

Diversity Statement

We are an equal‑opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.