Technical Director – Roads & Highways

Role Overview

WSP Middle East seeks an experienced Technical Director – Roads & Highways to lead and grow the Transport & Infrastructure design practice in Abu Dhabi. The ideal candidate will bring extensive Roads & Highways design expertise, deep familiarity with Abu Dhabi standards, authorities, and project requirements, and a strong track record delivering complex infrastructure projects across the emirate.

Role Purpose

As a senior technical leader, you will oversee major design programs, provide strategic direction, mentor multidisciplinary teams, and ensure the highest levels of technical excellence, quality, and client satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the planning, design, and technical delivery of major roads, highways, junctions, interchanges, and corridor development projects.
• Provide expert guidance, review, and approval of design outputs including geometric design, pavement design, drainage, utilities coordination, and traffic engineering deliverables.
• Ensure all designs comply with Abu Dhabi Municipality (ADM), DMT, ITC, UPC, and other relevant authority standards and regulations.
• Drive innovation, digital engineering practices, and best-in-class design methodologies across projects.

Project & Design Management

• Oversee the delivery of multiple concurrent projects, ensuring adherence to scope, schedule, budget, and quality standards.
• Manage design teams, sub-consultants, and stakeholder interfaces to ensure smooth coordination and problem resolution.
• Conduct technical risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies.
• Support business development through technical proposals, design strategies, and client presentations.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a senior technical advisor to clients, government authorities, and project partners.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key Abu Dhabi stakeholders including DMT, ADNOC, DOT, and other major infrastructure entities.
• Lead technical meetings, workshops, and presentations with clients and authorities.

Leadership & Mentoring

• Provide leadership and mentorship to engineers, discipline leads, and project managers.
• Contribute to capability development, training programs, and technical knowledge sharing across the Roads & Highways team.
• Support recruitment and talent development initiatives within the Transport business.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering; Master's degree preferred.
• 20+ years of experience in Roads & Highways design, with at least 10 years in the UAE and significant experience in Abu Dhabi.
• Strong understanding of Abu Dhabi authority standards, design manuals, and approval processes.
• Proven track record delivering major highways, arterial roads, interchanges, and infrastructure corridor projects.
• Experience leading large multidisciplinary teams in a consultancy environment.
• Chartered/Professional Engineer status (CEng, PE, or equivalent) highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent communication, leadership, and client-facing skills.