Team Leader- Design & Project Management

GHD; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 250,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A global professional services company is seeking a dynamic Team Leader for their Design & Project Management team in Abu Dhabi. This role involves leading a multidisciplinary team, ensuring the successful delivery of major projects, and driving business development. The ideal candidate will have over 12 years of experience in project management within the UAE, strong leadership abilities, and a focus on client satisfaction. A Master's degree in project management or engineering is preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 years experience in project management, design management, or delivery roles.
• Proven leadership on major multidisciplinary infrastructure or building projects in the UAE or GCC.
• 5 years experience managing teams and mentoring talent.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Design & Project Management team within the Project & Programme Management business.
• Take accountability for successful project delivery.
• Manage and develop a multidisciplinary team.

Skills

Project management

Design management

Leadership

Client relationship management

Proposal development

Education

Masters in project management/engineering

Chartered status (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.