Principal Lighting Design Lead (Client-Facing & Growth)

WSP in the Middle East; Dubai; On-site; AED 350,000 - 620,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the Middle East seeks a Principal Consultant – Lighting Design to join our Creative Lighting Design Studio in Dubai. You will lead complex lighting projects, shape client engagements, and provide strong technical and commercial leadership on some of the region’s most iconic schemes.

This role requires 15+ years in architectural lighting, and proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams. You will manage client relationships, drive proposals, mentor junior staff, and contribute to growing

Qualifications

• 15+ years in architectural/creative lighting design.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong visual communication and storytelling skills.
• Experience managing client relationships and delivering to tight timelines.
• Ability to develop proposals and win work.
• Conceptual, technical and detailed lighting design capabilities.
• Line-manage and mentor junior staff (1–2 reports).

Responsibilities

• Lead complex lighting design projects end-to-end, ensuring creative and technical excellence.
• Act as a primary client-facing representative: presentations, stakeholder management, and design direction.
• Demonstrate strong commercial understanding, including budget management, financial tracking, and scope control.
• Oversee project resourcing, team allocation, and workflow planning.
• Lead internal initiatives to support studio growth, innovation, and design standards.
• Line-manage and mentor junior team members (1–2 direct reports).
• Collaborate on and develop high-quality proposals, bids, and design submissions.
• Contribute to strengthening WSP’s lighting design presence and thought leadership in the Middle East.

Skills

Leadership

Client management

Budget management

Team mentoring

Visual storytelling

Project management

Presentation skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture or Lighting Design

Tools

DIALux

AutoCAD

Revit

AGI32

Job description

WSP in the Middle East seeks a Principal Consultant – Lighting Design to join our Creative Lighting Design Studio in Dubai. You will lead complex lighting projects, shape client engagements, and provide strong technical and commercial leadership on some of the region’s most iconic schemes.

This role requires 15+ years in architectural lighting, and proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams. You will manage client relationships, drive proposals, mentor junior staff, and contribute to growing