Project Director - Infrastructure

WSP USA; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking an accomplished Project Director - Infrastructure to lead delivery of major infrastructure and masterplan development projects across the UAE. The role sits in the Transport & Infrastructure business, overseeing planning, design, and governance for multidisciplinary teams.

You will work with leading international consultancies, manage client relationships, and drive commercial performance while ensuring quality and timely delivery on high-profile projects in Abu Dhabi and across

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business Administration, or related field is desirable.
• Minimum 20+ years of professional experience in engineering consultancy, infrastructure delivery, or major development programmes.
• Proven experience with leading international engineering consultancies and delivering large-scale UAE infrastructure masterplans.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of large-scale infrastructure and masterplan development projects across the UAE.
• Provide strategic direction and governance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Oversee budgets, forecasting, resource planning, profitability, and risk management.
• Lead multidisciplinary design coordination and ensure technical governance across teams.
• Foster strong client relationships, executive engagement, and stakeholder management.
• Support business development and identify opportunities for future projects.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Stakeholder Management

Commercial Acumen

Strategic Thinking

Education

Bachelor's in Civil Engineering

Master's in Engineering/PM/Business (desirable)

Job description

WSP is seeking an accomplished Project Director - Infrastructure to lead the delivery of major infrastructure and masterplan development projects across the UAE. This is a strategic leadership position within the Transport & Infrastructure business, responsible for overseeing the planning, design, coordination, commercial performance, and successful delivery of complex multidisciplinary projects for public and private sector clients.

The successful candidate will bring extensive experience working with leading international engineering consultancies and have a proven track record delivering large-scale infrastructure and masterplan development projects throughout the UAE. The role requires a strong technical engineering background, preferably in Civil Engineering, combined with exceptional project leadership, commercial acumen, and stakeholder management capabilities.

As a client-facing leader, the Project Director will serve as the primary point of contact for key clients and stakeholders, ensuring project objectives are achieved while maintaining the highest standards of quality, governance, commercial performance, and client satisfaction.

Project Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the successful delivery of large-scale infrastructure and masterplan development projects across the UAE.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership throughout the project lifecycle from planning and design through to execution and close-out.
• Establish project delivery strategies, execution plans, governance frameworks, and performance objectives.
• Drive project performance, ensuring delivery against scope, schedule, budget, quality, and client expectations.
• Oversee multidisciplinary teams comprising engineering, planning, commercial, project controls, and specialist disciplines.
• Ensure effective coordination between internal teams, clients, contractors, government authorities, and external stakeholders.

Client Relationship & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary client interface and trusted advisor for major projects.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with government entities, developers, infrastructure authorities, and key stakeholders.
• Lead executive-level client engagement and facilitate strategic project discussions.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and ensure proactive communication throughout project delivery.
• Represent the business at project steering committees, governance boards, and executive meetings.
• Support business growth through the development of long-term client relationships and identification of future opportunities.

Commercial & Financial Management

• Take overall accountability for project financial performance and commercial outcomes.
• Oversee project budgets, forecasting, resource planning, profitability, and risk management.
• Support contract negotiations, commercial discussions, and project governance activities.
• Ensure the effective management of project variations, change controls, claims, and commercial risks.
• Drive operational excellence and ensure projects achieve financial and performance targets.
• Monitor project KPIs and implement corrective actions where required.

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical oversight and guidance on complex infrastructure and masterplan development projects.
• Ensure engineering solutions align with client objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Review project deliverables and ensure technical excellence across all disciplines.
• Support technical innovation and promote value-driven engineering solutions.
• Lead multidisciplinary design coordination and decision-making processes.
• Champion quality, safety, sustainability, and technical governance across project teams.

Risk, Governance & Compliance

• Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with corporate governance requirements and project management standards.
• Lead project risk identification, mitigation, and escalation processes.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, regulatory frameworks, and client requirements.
• Oversee project audits, reviews, assurance processes, and lessons-learned activities.
• Promote a culture of accountability, quality, and continuous improvement.

Business Development & Strategic Growth

• Support business development initiatives and strategic pursuits across the UAE.
• Participate in client presentations, bids, tenders, and proposal development activities.
• Identify opportunities for repeat business and expansion within existing client accounts.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of business unit strategies.
• Provide market intelligence and insights relating to the UAE infrastructure sector.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, motivate, and develop high-performing multidisciplinary project teams.
• Mentor Project Managers, Design Managers, and technical leaders across the business.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive project culture focused on excellence and client service.
• Support succession planning, talent development, and capability growth initiatives.
• Promote knowledge sharing and best practice across the wider organisation.
• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business Administration, or a related field is desirable.
• Minimum 20+ years of professional experience within engineering consultancy, infrastructure delivery, or major development programmes.
• Proven experience working with leading international engineering consultancies.
• Demonstrated track record delivering large-scale infrastructure masterplans and land development projects in the UAE.
• Significant experience leading multidisciplinary project teams on complex projects. Strong understanding of the UAE infrastructure, transport, and development market.Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?With us, you can.