Associate Director - Building Enclosures

Role Overview

Associate Director - Building Enclosures at WSP Middle East, based in Dubai, UAE. In this senior leadership role, you will drive the strategic growth, technical excellence, and innovation of the façade discipline across the region.

Role Purpose

Lead early-stage design direction and guide complex iconic projects, delivering solutions that balance performance, constructability, sustainability, and architectural ambition. Oversee the delivery of high-quality consulting services, inspire a high-performing team, and strengthen client confidence through expert guidance and exceptional service. Your leadership will directly support regional business growth, advance WSP's technical reputation, contribute to major project wins, and ensure strong P&L performance across the façade portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Technical & Design Leadership

• Lead façade design across concept, schematic, detailed design, and construction stages.
• Develop innovative concepts and design strategies during early stages, influencing geometry, performance, feasibility, and sustainability outcomes.
• Provide expert guidance on curtain wall systems, unitised façades, glazing technologies, cladding systems, metal structures, and complex geometries.
• Oversee thermal, structural, fire, acoustic, and energy performance analyses.
• Ensure compliance with Middle East codes and international standards including ASTM, BS, EN, and NFPA.
• Conduct QA/QC reviews and sign off on major technical submissions.
• Champion bold and buildable façade concepts from inception and ensure rigorous technical governance.

Project Delivery & Technical Management

• Lead multidisciplinary coordination with architects, structural and MEP engineering teams, contractors, and specialists.
• Develop design delivery strategies, resource plans, risk registers, and project schedules.
• Resolve complex technical issues and ensure seamless design-to-delivery execution.
• Ensure façade solutions meet client expectations for quality, performance, and efficiency.
• Elevate multidisciplinary collaboration across project teams.

Market Expansion & Commercial Leadership

• Manage commercial elements, including pricing, forecasting, margins, and fee negotiations.
• Support regional growth plans, identifying new business opportunities and supporting RFPs and proposals.
• Strengthen relationships with developers, architects, contractors, and façade fabricators.
• Maintain project profitability and financial governance across façade packages.
• Participate in conferences and public speaking to promote innovative thinking and build market presence.

Leadership, Mentoring & Team Development

• Lead, inspire, and manage a diverse team of technical and strategic consultants and subject matter experts.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive culture centered on growth, technical excellence, strategic advisory services, and accountability across business lines and global regions.
• Build and lead a high-performing façade engineering team.
• Promote knowledge sharing, digital innovation including BIM, parametric modelling, and automation.
• Drive continuous improvement across the discipline.
• Represent the façade discipline in industry forums, conferences, and technical committees.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Façade Engineering, Structural Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng, PE, or equivalent) preferred.
• 15–20 years of façade engineering experience, with significant Middle East experience delivering major projects.
• Demonstrated experience delivering high-rise towers, complex geometry façades, and large-scale developments.
• Strong understanding of façade systems, building physics, sustainability, fire safety, and advanced materials technologies.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Client-facing experience and ability to strengthen client confidence through expert guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to drive innovation and early-stage design excellence.
• Strong commercial acumen and experience with P&L or division-level budget ownership.
• Expert knowledge of curtain wall systems, unitised façades, glazing technologies, cladding systems, metal structures, and complex geometries.
• Knowledge of thermal, structural, fire, acoustic, and energy performance analysis.
• Familiarity with Middle East codes and international standards including ASTM, BS, EN, and NFPA.
• Proficiency in BIM and parametric modelling tools.