Strategic Project Director — Lead Complex Global Programs

WSP; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Project Director to lead the delivery of major and complex projects within a multidisciplinary design consultancy. You will provide strategic direction from inception through to completion and act as the senior client interface.

The role requires strong leadership of integrated teams, governance and risk management, and a proven track record of delivering quality outcomes on time and within budget, with experience in the Middle East region preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Project Management, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Chartered status or equivalent professional accreditation preferred.
• 15-20 years of experience within a leading design practice.
• Proven track record of leading complex projects and programmes with significant commercial responsibility.
• Strong experience managing multidisciplinary teams and overseeing large-scale project delivery.
• Demonstrated success in client relationship management and business development.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing budgets, profitability, forecasting, and financial performance.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience operating in client-facing leadership roles within complex project environments.
• Proven ability to drive operational excellence, governance, and project delivery performance.
• Experience in the Middle East region is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the successful delivery of major and complex projects and programmes within a multidisciplinary design consultancy environment.
• Assume overall accountability for project performance, including scope, programme, budget, quality, risk, and client satisfaction.
• Establish project delivery strategies, governance structures, and execution plans to achieve successful project outcomes.
• Provide strategic leadership to multidisciplinary design teams, ensuring effective integration across all technical disciplines.
• Champion design excellence, technical quality, innovation, and compliance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Drive effective project planning, design management, risk management, and delivery performance.
• Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with contractual obligations, regulatory requirements, quality standards, and corporate governance procedures.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, authorities, and delivery partners.
• Act as the senior client interface and trusted advisor, providing strategic guidance and leadership throughout project delivery.
• Lead the management of complex project interfaces, including those with infrastructure, transport, utilities, master planning, and external stakeholders where applicable.
• Support business development activities, including proposals, client presentations, key pursuits, and account development initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for repeat work, cross-selling, and project growth within existing client accounts.
• Lead, mentor, and develop project managers, design managers, and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Foster a high-performance culture that promotes collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.
• Drive employee engagement, talent development, succession planning, and retention within project teams.
• Ensure projects are appropriately resourced and that teams have the capability and capacity required to deliver successfully.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, and safe working environment that supports employee wellbeing and professional growth.
• Champion health, safety, and wellbeing across all projects and teams.
• Maintain accountability for project financial performance, including revenue, profitability, cash flow, forecasting, and resource utilisation.
• Lead project commercial reviews and take proactive action to improve project performance and manage commercial risk.
• Ensure effective implementation of project controls, reporting, governance, and performance monitoring processes.
• Drive lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance project delivery, client satisfaction, and business performance.
• Support the development of commercially aware and financially accountable project teams.

Skills

Leadership

Client management

Stakeholder management

Business development

Negotiation

Communication

Strategic planning

Governance

Risk management

Financial acumen

Project management

Team leadership

Contract management

Operational excellence

Resource planning

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Project Management, Construction Management, or a related discipline

Chartered status or equivalent professional accreditation

Job description

WSP is seeking a Project Director to lead the delivery of major and complex projects within a multidisciplinary design consultancy. You will provide strategic direction from inception through to completion and act as the senior client interface.

The role requires strong leadership of integrated teams, governance and risk management, and a proven track record of delivering quality outcomes on time and within budget, with experience in the Middle East region preferred.