Senior Design Manager

Role Overview

Senior Design Manager at WSP in the Middle East. Lead multidisciplinary design projects within the Property & Buildings sector, spanning commercial, mixed-use, and high-performance environments.

Company Overview

WSP is a global team of more than 69,000 employees working across communities worldwide. The company operates through multiple business units and sectors, including Property & Buildings.

Role Purpose

To lead the delivery of multiple complex, multidisciplinary design projects and programmes across the Property & Buildings sector, ensuring technical excellence, commercial performance, and client satisfaction while driving innovation, supporting business growth, and developing high-performing teams.

Key Responsibilities

Project Delivery

• Lead and oversee the delivery of multiple multidisciplinary design projects and programmes across the Property & Buildings sector, ensuring technical excellence, commercial performance, and client satisfaction.
• Manage commercial performance across assigned projects, including forecasting, utilisation, profitability, change management, and risk mitigation.
• Lead project reviews, design assurance processes, and technical governance activities across a portfolio of projects.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Act as a senior client advisor and strategic relationship manager, building long-term partnerships and identifying opportunities for repeat business and account growth.
• Demonstrate client relationship management at senior and executive levels.
• Represent WSP in industry forums, professional organisations, and key stakeholder engagements, enhancing the company's market profile and technical reputation.

Team Leadership & Development

• Provide leadership and governance to Design Managers and project teams, ensuring consistency in project delivery, quality standards, risk management, and resource utilisation.
• Mentor and develop Design Managers, Project Managers, and technical leaders, fostering a high-performing and collaborative delivery culture.
• Collaborate with Business Unit leadership on workforce planning, capability development, succession planning, and team growth strategies.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams across architecture, structures, MEP, ICT, fire and life safety disciplines.

Digital & Innovation

• Drive innovation and the adoption of advanced digital delivery methodologies including BIM, Common Data Environments, Digital Twin technologies, and data-led design approaches.
• Advance understanding of BIM, Digital Delivery, Information Management, and emerging design technologies.

Process & Standards

• Establish and promote best practice design management processes aligned with WSP's Business Management System, Future Ready, Sustainability, and Digital Delivery objectives.
• Maintain extensive knowledge of regional authority requirements and international design standards.

Business Development & Growth

• Support business planning and growth initiatives, including strategic pursuits, major bid leadership, client presentations, and market development activities.
• Contribute to business development and successful major bids.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Project Management, or a related discipline (Master's degree preferred).
• 15+ years' experience within the Property & Buildings sector, including leadership responsibility for multidisciplinary design and project delivery teams.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering large-scale, complex building projects and programmes across multiple sectors.
• Previous experience within a leading international engineering consultancy is highly desirable.
• Chartered Engineer, Registered Architect, PMP, or equivalent professional accreditation would be advantageous.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong commercial acumen, including project financial management, resource planning, and business performance oversight.
• Advanced understanding of BIM, Digital Delivery, Information Management, and emerging design technologies.
• Leadership capability across multidisciplinary teams spanning architecture, structures, MEP, ICT, fire and life safety disciplines.
• Strategic relationship management and senior-level client engagement.