Senior Project Manager / Project Director (retail)

WSP in the Middle East; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 293,793 - 440,690; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the Middle East is looking for a Senior Project Manager for its retail and mixed-use projects in Abu Dhabi. This role involves strategic leadership and delivery of complex developments from concept through to completion.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree and over 10 years of experience, ideally with a focus on retail developments. Responsibilities include stakeholder management, risk management, and ensuring project alignment with client objectives.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience in retail and mixed-use developments.
• Proven track record in complex project delivery from concept to construction.
• Experience working with major developers and retail brands preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead project set-up and contract finalisation, ensuring compliance.
• Act as the primary interface with clients and stakeholders.
• Oversee project delivery through to completion and handover.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Commercial acumen

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture or a related field

Job description

Senior Project Manager – Retail & Mixed-Use Projects

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership and successful delivery of complex, multi‑disciplinary projects, with a focus on retail and mixed‑use developments, from early concept through completion. The role requires a highly proactive and commercially astute approach, ensuring delivery aligns with client objectives, brand requirements, operational constraints and fast‑track retail programmes. You will lead project teams, drive decision‑making, and manage key stakeholder relationships, ensuring high‑quality outcomes across all stages of design and delivery.

You are expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, provide leadership across multiple workstreams, and act as a trusted advisor to clients.

Responsibilities

• Contract & Scope
  • Lead project set‑up, including contract finalisation, internal alignment and mobilisation of the team
  • Fully understand and manage the contract, ensuring compliance with key obligations and deliverables
  • Define, agree and manage scope across all disciplines, ensuring clarity of responsibilities
  • Lead the appointment and coordination of sub‑consultants, including scope, fees and agreements
  • Identify and manage changes to scope, leading variation preparation, negotiation and agreement with the client
  • Ensure all deliverables meet quality standards and client expectations
• Communication & Team Leadership
  • Act as the primary interface with the client, operators, tenants and key stakeholders
  • Provide clear leadership, establishing a high‑performing “one team” culture
  • Lead client engagement, workshops and presentations, including executive‑level reporting
  • Manage complex stakeholder environments, including retail tenants, landlords, operators and authorities
  • Support clients with strategic decision‑making, balancing commercial, operational and design priorities
  • Proactively manage expectations, risks and issues to maintain trust and project momentum
• Programme
  • Lead development of detailed, realistic programmes aligned with retail delivery and tenant fit‑out requirements
  • Manage programmes proactively, identifying and mitigating risks to delivery
  • Coordinate with design teams to ensure alignment with anchor tenant, F&B and retail unit handover milestones
  • Oversee integration of base build, shell & core and tenant fit‑out packages
  • Ensure programme reflects authority approvals, procurement strategies and phased handovers
  • Work with Planning & Controls to maintain robust P6 programmes and client reporting
• Design & Technical Coordination
  • Lead multidisciplinary design coordination through all stages (Concept to IFC and construction support)
  • Ensure alignment between brand standards, operational requirements and technical design solutions
  • Oversee design reviews, ensuring buildability, compliance and coordination across disciplines
  • Drive high‑quality outputs through structured QA/QC processes
  • Ensure coordination between landlord criteria and tenant requirements
• Risk Management
  • Establish and lead the project Risk Register, ensuring regular review and active management
  • Identify key risks associated with retail phasing, tenant changes, authority approvals and programme constraints
  • Develop and implement mitigation strategies
  • Escalate critical risks to senior leadership and clients as required
• Commercial Management
  • Lead all project commercial aspects, including budget management and financial reporting
  • Manage project invoicing, cost tracking and financial performance
  • Lead preparation, negotiation and agreement of variations
  • Provide commercial advice to clients, particularly relating to programme impacts and tenant‑driven changes
• Delivery & Handover
  • Oversee project delivery through to completion, ensuring alignment with client and operational objectives
  • Coordinate phased handovers, including base build and tenant fit‑out interfaces
  • Ensure smooth transition to supervision / construction teams
  • Lead project close‑out, ensuring all deliverables, approvals and documentation are complete

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture or a related field
• 10+ years of professional experience, with a strong focus on retail, mixed‑use or commercial developments
• Proven track record delivering complex, multidisciplinary projects from Concept through to IFC and construction
• Demonstrable experience in retail delivery, including tenant coordination and fit‑out integration
• Experience working with major developers, operators or retail brands preferred
• Experience managing large, multidisciplinary teams and multiple stakeholders

Core Competencies

• Strong leadership and ability to operate at a senior, client‑facing level
• Strategic thinking with ability to manage competing priorities
• Excellent stakeholder management, particularly within complex retail environments
• Commercial acumen and contractual awareness
• Strong programme and risk management capability
• Ability to drive quality, coordination and technical excellence
• Collaborative and proactive communication style
• Ability to lead and motivate multidisciplinary teams
• Strong understanding of health and safety in design