Associate Director – Mission Critical & Data Centres (Electrical)

Role Overview

Associate Director – Mission Critical & Data Centres (Electrical) at WSP Middle East. This role is based in the Middle East region, serving the UAE and KSA markets.

Role Purpose

Lead the technical delivery of mission-critical data center projects across the UAE and KSA by serving as the single point of contact for all technical aspects, directing the complete engineering lifecycle, and establishing standardized, scalable solutions that drive consistency and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Client Management

• Serve as the single point of contact for all technical aspects of assigned data center projects.
• Lead client discussions and negotiate technical scopes.
• Act as the technical authority across engineering initiatives, accountable for team outcomes related to design integrity, budget adherence, schedule management, and stakeholder coordination.
• Provide visionary project leadership on all technical matters.

Design & Engineering Oversight

• Lead and approve concept, schematic, and detailed designs across electrical and mechanical disciplines.
• Direct all phases of engineering and design, including site feasibility analysis, conceptual development, basis of design formulation, scope definition, and construction documentation.
• Oversee electrical systems including UPS, generators, switchgear, MV/LV power distribution, and VFDs.
• Oversee mechanical systems including HVAC, cooling, CRAC units, economizers, and chilled-water systems.
• Oversee building systems including Building Management Systems, fire protection, fire/life safety, fire detection/suppression, and DCIM platforms.
• Apply advanced engineering analysis tools including ETAP, 6Sigma CFD, AmpCalc, and other analytical platforms to validate design decisions and optimize system performance.

Standards & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with international standards including Uptime Institute Tier requirements, TIA-942, NFPA, and ASHRAE.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations and codes including NEC, IEC, ISO 50001, ISO 27001, PDPL, and ESMA.
• Champion engineering standards and lead cross-regional collaboration to ensure consistency, innovation, and technical excellence in design methodologies and delivery practices.

Technical Planning & Analysis

• Conduct site assessments, capacity planning, and feasibility studies aligned with Uptime Institute Tier requirements.
• Develop and standardize scalable, repeatable data center solutions to drive consistency and efficiencies across UAE and KSA.

Team & Stakeholder Management

• Mentor and coach engineering teams, drive knowledge transfer, and capture lessons learned for continuous improvement.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate stakeholders in complex, matrixed environments.
• Collaborate with the supervision team and other stakeholders to control costs, manage vendors, and mitigate technical risks.
• Serve as a senior liaison among internal engineering teams, regional centers of excellence, external consultants, construction leads, and key stakeholders to align technical vision and drive successful execution.

Business Development & Innovation

• Drive business growth by contributing to technical proposals and client presentations.
• Identify opportunities for service enhancements.
• Maintain active engagement with the global data center engineering community to identify emerging technologies, evolving standards, and best practices.
• Leverage emerging technologies and trends such as liquid-cooling for continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Building Services Engineering.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in planning, designing, and delivering large-scale data centers.
• Multiple Uptime Tier III/IV projects delivered.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate stakeholders in complex, matrixed environments.
• Preferred experience with fast-track design/build projects.
• Preferred experience with multiple significant upgrade projects for large-scale technical operations or large-scale compute farms.

Skills & Competencies

• Expert-level knowledge in civil, structural, and architectural (CSA) disciplines.
• Expert-level knowledge in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems.
• In-depth knowledge of MV/LV power distribution, UPS, emergency generators, CRAC units, economizers, chilled-water systems, VFDs, fire detection/suppression, BMS, and DCIM platforms.
• Proficiency with ETAP, 6Sigma CFD, AmpCalc, and other advanced analytical tools.
• Strong understanding of latest data center system trends and technologies including liquid-cooling.
• Familiarity with local and international codes and standards including NEC, IEC, ISO 50001, ISO 27001, PDPL, and ESMA.

Additional Information

• Professional certifications such as Uptime Tier Certified Professional, PMP, LEED AP, or BICSI RCDD are highly desirable.