Associate Director - Transport Planning & Mobility

Role Overview

Associate Director – Transport Planning & Mobility at WSP in the Middle East, based in the UAE. The successful candidate will play a leading role in the delivery of complex transport planning, mobility, and multidisciplinary infrastructure projects across the Middle East, working closely with clients, government authorities, developers, and internal design teams.

Company Overview

WSP is a global team of more than 69,000 employees working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

Role Purpose

To provide technical leadership, project oversight, and client advisory services for transport planning and mobility assignments across the UAE and wider Middle East while supporting business growth and developing the next generation of transport planning professionals. The role requires close collaboration with highways, public transport, rail, urban planning, master planning, digital, sustainability, and infrastructure teams to deliver integrated and future-ready mobility solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Lead the delivery of transport planning and mobility assignments across the UAE and wider Middle East.
• Provide technical leadership for Transport Master Plans, Transport Impact Studies (TIS), Traffic Impact Assessments (TIA), Mobility Strategies, Multimodal Transport Studies, Public Transport Planning, Accessibility & Active Mobility Plans, Parking Strategies, Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Studies, and Future Mobility & Smart Mobility Assessments.
• Review and approve technical reports, presentations, models, and client deliverables.
• Ensure compliance with local authority requirements, international best practice, and WSP quality standards.
• Provide strategic transport planning advice throughout the project lifecycle from feasibility through to design development and approvals.

Project Delivery & Design Integration

• Lead transport planning inputs on multidisciplinary projects including major infrastructure projects, urban developments, mixed-use masterplans, new cities and communities, aviation developments, economic zones, tourism and hospitality projects, and public realm and mobility enhancement programmes.
• Coordinate closely with highways, rail, structures, utilities, architecture, urban planning, landscape, sustainability, and environmental teams.
• Manage project budgets, programme delivery, resource allocation, quality assurance, and commercial performance.
• Act as Project Manager or Discipline Lead for major transport planning commissions.
• Support project directors in delivering high-profile client assignments throughout the Middle East.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, government authorities, developers, and public sector agencies.
• Lead client meetings, workshops, technical presentations, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key transport authorities and regulatory bodies across the UAE and Middle East.
• Provide guidance on planning approvals, mobility policy, and transport-related regulatory requirements.
• Support clients in developing sustainable, efficient, and people-focused transportation solutions.

Business Development & Work Winning

• Support the growth of WSP's Transport Planning & Mobility business across the region.
• Identify new opportunities and strengthen relationships with existing clients.
• Lead or contribute to technical and commercial proposals, bids, and framework submissions.
• Support fee development, project strategies, and pursuit planning activities.
• Contribute to market intelligence, sector growth initiatives, and service innovation.
• Represent WSP at industry events, conferences, and client forums where appropriate.

Team Leadership & People Development

• Mentor, coach, and develop transport planners and mobility specialists.
• Provide technical guidance and support across project teams.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Support recruitment, capability building, and succession planning initiatives.
• Promote knowledge sharing and best practice across the wider Transport & Infrastructure business.

Future Mobility & Innovation

• Support the development of innovative transport and mobility solutions for clients.
• Promote sustainable mobility, public transport integration, active travel, and low-carbon transport solutions.
• Contribute to initiatives involving Mobility as a Service (MaaS), Smart Mobility, Shared Mobility, Autonomous Mobility, Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, Data-Driven Mobility Planning, and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD).
• Help strengthen WSP's position as a leader in future mobility across the Middle East.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Transport Planning, Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Urban Planning, Geography, Architecture, or a related discipline.
• Master's Degree in Transport Planning, Transportation Engineering, Urban Planning, Mobility, or a related field is preferred.
• Chartered or professionally accredited status with a recognised institution such as CIHT, TPS, ICE, ITE, RTPI, or equivalent is desirable.
• Typically 12–18 years of professional experience in transport planning and mobility consultancy.
• Strong experience delivering projects in the UAE and wider Middle East.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary transport planning assignments.
• Experience working with government authorities, transport agencies, and private sector developers.
• Experience leading project teams and mentoring junior staff.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of transport planning methodologies, development planning, mobility strategy, and transport policy.
• Proven client-facing experience and ability to manage senior stakeholder relationships.