Head of Development

WSP Global Inc.; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP Global Inc. in the Middle East seeks an experienced Head of Development to lead and grow the Infrastructure Development business across the region, overseeing development management, design, infrastructure and advisory services.

You will translate client objectives into deliverable programs from early engagement through to delivery, own the P&L, and build a high‑performing multidisciplinary team aligned with market demand.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15+ years of senior leadership experience in development management or master planning.
• Proven P&L accountability for large infrastructure or development portfolios.
• Strong track record in client relationships and winning major, complex commissions.
• Degree in architecture, engineering, planning, real estate or related discipline; Chartered status advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver the Middle East Development strategy and annual business plan.
• Build and lead a high-performing multidisciplinary team across locations.
• Own the Development P&L, including orders, revenue, margin and cash collection.
• Lead major pursuits and bid strategy while managing client relationships at senior levels.
• Provide governance, risk management and commercial oversight across the portfolio.
• Engage with government entities and key clients to secure repeat and adjacent work.

Skills

Senior leadership

P&L ownership

Client relationships

Strategic leadership

Education

Architecture degree

Engineering degree

Planning degree

Real estate degree

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Head of Development to lead, grow and manage our Infrastructure Development business across the Middle East, providing strategic leadership across development management, infrastructure and multidisciplinary pre-construction services.

The role will position the business as a trusted strategic adviser, turning client investment objectives into commercially viable, deliverable projects from early engagement through to delivery. It holds accountability for the Development P&L and for building a high-performing multidisciplinary team aligned with market demand.

Responsibilities

Business Leadership and Strategy

Define and deliver the Middle East Development strategy and annual business plan, aligned with regional sector priorities.

Establish an integrated market proposition spanning development management, design, infrastructure and advisory services.

Champion a sector-first, client-led approach, focusing on priority clients, programmes and geographies with the strongest commercial potential.

Monitor market trends, competitor activity and client investment plans, adapting the strategy and service offering accordingly.

Client Care and Key Account Leadership

Build trusted relationships with senior clients, investors, developers and government entities, acting as executive sponsor for priority accounts.

Establish structured key-account plans covering relationship mapping, engagement priorities, opportunity pipelines and account-growth objectives.

Actively seek client feedback and intervene early where satisfaction, project performance or commercial relationships are at risk.

Ensure clients experience one integrated business, using successful outcomes to secure repeat and adjacent work.

Winning Work and Market Growth

Own a qualified pipeline sufficient to meet revenue and growth targets, applying disciplined bid/no-bid decisions.

Develop capture strategies well ahead of procurement, positioning the business for sole-source appointments, frameworks and follow-on services.

Lead major pursuits, shaping the win strategy, value proposition, team, fee and commercial position.

Track pipeline value, probability, sales stage and conversion, and represent the business at senior client and industry forums.

P&L and Commercial Accountability

Own the Development P&L, including orders, revenue, margin, utilisation, working capital and cash collection.

Manage the annual budget and rolling forecast, taking early corrective action on variances.

Ensure fees, scope, resourcing and risk are robustly reviewed before contractual commitment, with commercial, finance and legal teams.

Provide commercial oversight of major projects, including change control, cost-to-complete and debt management.

Make balanced investment decisions and promote a culture of commercial ownership among project leaders.

Resource and Capability Management

Maintain a strategic resource plan aligned with secured workload and pipeline, balancing utilisation, project needs and employee wellbeing.

Address capacity constraints and skill gaps, leading recruitment and mobilising regional and global expertise.

Build a scalable operating model with clear roles, accountabilities and decision rights.

Develop succession plans and hold the leadership team accountable for client service, delivery, financial performance and people development.

Development Leadership and Multidisciplinary Integration

Provide executive leadership for major development programmes from inception through planning, design, approvals and transition into delivery.

Translate client aspirations and investment objectives into clear briefs, strategies and delivery plans.

Ensure effective mobilisation and controls, while empowering project leaders to manage day-to-day delivery.

Integrate master planning, architecture, infrastructure, transport, sustainability and specialist disciplines early, balancing placemaking, commercial viability and deliverability.

Governance, Leadership and Culture

Maintain effective governance and assurance across the portfolio, actively managing material contractual, financial, technical and reputational risks.

Ensure major bids and projects receive appropriate executive review, with issues escalated early.

Provide clear, visible and inclusive leadership, communicating strategy, priorities and expected standards.

Build a culture of client care, commercial ownership, collaboration and integrity, coaching senior team members as client leaders and work winners.

Key Performance Outcomes

Achievement of agreed orders, revenue, margin, utilisation, working-capital and cash targets, supported by accurate forecasting.

A strong, qualified and well-balanced pipeline, with improved conversion of priority pursuits.

Growth in repeat, sole-source and multidisciplinary commissions, with high client satisfaction across priority accounts.

Effective mobilisation and delivery of major commissions, with consistent governance and risk management.

Appropriate capacity, capability and talent retention, with strong collaboration across sectors and geographies.

Qualifications

Typically 15+ years' experience, including senior leadership in development management, master planning, multidisciplinary design or programme management in the Middle East.

Proven P&L accountability, including business planning, revenue, margin, forecasting, utilisation, working capital and investment decisions.

Strong track record of senior client relationships and winning major, complex commissions.

Strong understanding of development economics, approvals, procurement and delivery interfaces, with sound commercial awareness.

Degree in architecture, engineering, planning, real estate or a related discipline; professional or chartered status is advantageous.

Demonstrable experience leading large-scale, complex developments or infrastructure programmes through feasibility, business case, planning, design, procurement and delivery readiness.

Established network and market credibility with major developers, investors, government authorities and delivery partners across the Middle East, with the ability to originate and convert opportunities.

Experience building and leading high-performing multidisciplinary teams across multiple locations, including workforce planning, recruitment, succession planning and leadership development.

Strong knowledge of regional development and procurement models, consultant appointments, contractual risk, commercial governance and the management of joint ventures or strategic delivery partnerships.

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