Design Manager

Role Overview

Design Manager at WSP Middle East in Abu Dhabi, supporting the delivery of large-scale infrastructure and masterplanning projects across Abu Dhabi and the wider Middle East region.

Role Purpose

Lead multidisciplinary design teams through the full project lifecycle—from concept through detailed design and construction support—while coordinating with clients, authorities, and stakeholders to deliver complex infrastructure and masterplanning projects on time and to specification.

Key Responsibilities

Design Leadership & Team Coordination

• Lead and manage multidisciplinary design teams across infrastructure and masterplanning projects from concept through detailed design and construction support.
• Coordinate design inputs across roads, utilities, drainage, structures, and public realm disciplines.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to the development of WSP's design management capability in the region.

Stakeholder & Client Management

• Act as the primary design interface with clients, authorities, and key stakeholders in Abu Dhabi and across the Middle East.
• Support bid preparation, technical proposals, and client presentations.

Project Delivery & Governance

• Manage design programmes, budgets, resources, and deliverables to ensure timely and high-quality project outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with Abu Dhabi authority standards, codes, and approval processes (DMT, ADM, ITC, Estidama).
• Lead design risk management, value engineering, and constructability reviews.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline; Master's degree preferred.
• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional accreditation preferred.
• Minimum 10–15 years' experience in infrastructure and masterplanning design delivery.
• Strong experience managing large-scale infrastructure masterplan projects in Abu Dhabi and across the Middle East.
• Demonstrated experience working with UAE authorities and navigating local approval processes.

Skills & Competencies

• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in complex, fast-paced consultancy environments.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and leadership skills.