Team Leader - Design & Project Management

GHD; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A global professional services leader is seeking a dynamic Team Leader to head up their Design & Project Management team in Abu Dhabi. The successful candidate will have over 12 years of experience, strong leadership abilities, and expertise in managing multidisciplinary projects. Responsibilities include overseeing the delivery of major projects, managing client relationships, and developing a high-performing team. A Master's degree in project management or engineering and chartered status are preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 years experience in project management or design management.
• Proven leadership on major multidisciplinary infrastructure projects.
• A strong commercial mindset balancing technical excellence and client satisfaction.
• 5 years experience managing teams and mentoring talent.
• Track record in proposal development and client relationship management.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for the successful delivery of major projects.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team of design and project managers.
• Strengthen client relationships and secure repeat business.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Business development

Stakeholder management

Education

Masters in project management/engineering

Chartered status or equivalent (e.g. PMP, MCIOB, RICS)

Job description

Description

Join a global professional services leader. We are committed to solving the worlds biggest challenges in the areas of water energy and urbanization.

About the company

With more than 14000 people around the globe GHD is one of the worlds leading professional services companies operating in the global markets of water energy and resources environment property and buildings and transportation. Serving clients across five continents and the Pacific region GHD people share a passion for exceeding the expectations of our clients and contributing to their success.

About the Role

GHD is looking for a dynamic and driven Team Leader to lead our growing Design & Project Management team within our Project & Programme Management business group. Based in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai this is a leadership role that blends technical oversight people management and business development in one of GHDs most strategic and high-impact teams.

What you’ll do

As Technical Delivery Leader you will:

• Take full accountability for the successful commercial contractual and technical delivery of major projects.
• Lead strategy development proposal preparation and contract negotiation.
• Serve as the primary client interface ensuring projects align with vision value and quality expectations.

As Team Leader you will:

• Manage and develop a multidisciplinary team of design and project managers.
• Drive performance improvement capability development and team engagement.
• Ensure the effective planning resource allocation and technical quality across your teams portfolio.
• Foster a culture of collaboration resilience and delivery excellence.

As a Business Development Leader you will:

• Strengthen client relationships and secure repeat business.
• Lead or support major proposal submissions (consultancy fees > AED 10M).
• Collaborate with Market Leaders to grow GHDs brand and market share.
• Mentor team members in work winning strategy and proposal development through building work winning capability and capacity within the team.

Stakeholder Management & Alignment

You will also play a central role in cross-functional alignment and operational coordination:

• Report directly to the BGL for Project & Programme Management.
• Align closely with Design BGLs to ensure PM and DM roles are appropriately scoped and resourced.
• Collaborate with Operations Managers and other BGLs to track major project milestones dates and resource requirements.
• Partner with the BIM team to embed consistent information management and BIM practices across delivery.
• Coordinate with Market Leaders to assign bid managers and meet proposal demands for complex pursuits.
• Engage regularly with the recruitment team to identify hiring needs and maintain a pipeline of shortlisted candidates.

What you’ll bring to the team

• Minimum of 12 years experience in project management design management or delivery rolesideally with a consultancy or developer.
• Proven leadership on major multidisciplinary infrastructure or building projects in the UAE or wider GCC.
• A strong commercial mindset with the ability to balance technical excellence and client satisfaction.
• 5 years Experience managing teams mentoring talent and driving performance.
• Track record in proposal development and client relationship management.
• Chartered status or equivalent (e.g. PMP MCIOB RICS) is preferred.
• Masters in project management/ engineering is preferred.