Senior Design Manager

WSP in the Middle East; Dubai; On-site; AED 400,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the Middle East invites a seasoned Design Manager to lead multidisciplinary design projects in the Property & Buildings sector across commercial, mixed-use, and high-performance environments in Dubai. You will guide teams, drive technical excellence, manage client relationships, and deliver projects on time and within budget.

The role requires 15+ years of leadership in design and project delivery, expertise in BIM and digital delivery, and a track record of major schemes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline; Master’s preferred.
• 15+ years in Property & Buildings with multidisciplinary leadership.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale projects and programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee multiple design projects across Property & Buildings.
• Advise clients as a senior advisor and manage key relationships.
• Provide governance and ensure design quality, risk control, and resources.
• Promote best-practice design management aligned with corporate systems.
• Drive digital delivery through BIM, CDE, and data-led design.
• Lead reviews, assurance, and governance across projects.
• Support growth through strategic pursuits and major bids.
• Collaborate with leadership on workforce planning and development.
• Manage project forecasts, utilization, profitability, and changes.
• Represent WSP in industry forums and stakeholder engagements.
• Mentor Design Managers and project leaders for high performance.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationships

Commercial acumen

BIM

Digital delivery

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Project Management

Master's degree preferred

Tools

BIM

Common Data Environments

Digital Twin

Information Management

Job description

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

The Design Manager will be responsible for leading multidisciplinary design projects within WSP’s Property & Buildings sector, spanning commercial, mixed-use, and high-performance environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the delivery of multiple multidisciplinary design projects and programmes across the Property & Buildings sector, ensuring technical excellence, commercial performance, and client satisfaction.
• Act as a senior client advisor and strategic relationship manager, building long-term partnerships and identifying opportunities for repeat business and account growth.
• Provide leadership and governance to Design Managers and project teams, ensuring consistency in project delivery, quality standards, risk management, and resource utilisation.
• Establish and promote best practice design management processes aligned with WSP's Business Management System, Future Ready, Sustainability, and Digital Delivery objectives.
• Drive innovation and the adoption of advanced digital delivery methodologies including BIM, Common Data Environments, Digital Twin technologies, and data-led design approaches.
• Lead project reviews, design assurance processes, and technical governance activities across a portfolio of projects.
• Support business planning and growth initiatives, including strategic pursuits, major bid leadership, client presentations, and market development activities.
• Collaborate with Business Unit leadership on workforce planning, capability development, succession planning, and team growth strategies.
• Manage commercial performance across assigned projects, including forecasting, utilisation, profitability, change management, and risk mitigation.
• Represent WSP in industry forums, professional organisations, and key stakeholder engagements, enhancing the company's market profile and technical reputation.
• Mentor and develop Design Managers, Project Managers, and technical leaders, fostering a high-performing and collaborative delivery culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Project Management, or a related discipline (Master's degree preferred).
• 15+ years' experience within the Property & Buildings sector, including leadership responsibility for multidisciplinary design and project delivery teams.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering large-scale, complex building projects and programmes across multiple sectors.
• Demonstrated experience managing client relationships at senior and executive levels.
• Strong commercial acumen, including project financial management, resource planning, and business performance oversight.
• Extensive knowledge of regional authority requirements and international design standards.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across architecture, structures, MEP, ICT, fire and life safety disciplines.
• Advanced understanding of BIM, Digital Delivery, Information Management, and emerging design technologies.
• Proven contribution to business development, strategic pursuits, and successful major bids.
• Chartered Engineer, Registered Architect, PMP, or equivalent professional accreditation would be advantageous.
• Previous experience within a leading international engineering consultancy is highly desirable.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world. With us, you can.