Associate Director - Roads & Highways

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WSP is seeking a highly experienced Associate Director to lead Roads & Highways in Abu Dhabi, overseeing complex design packages for large scale infrastructure and land development. This senior role demands 20+ years in roads and highways, extensive Abu Dhabi project experience, and a proven ability to coordinate multi-disciplinary teams, manage interfaces with clients and authorities, and deliver technically robust, buildable solutions that meet local standards and international best practice. Emphasis is on client engagement, risk management, phasing, constructability, plus mentoring and leadership of the team. To apply, tailor your CV to highlight major Abu Dhabi projects, senior leadership, and stakeholder negotiations; provide concrete, measurable outcomes and show flexibility to support WSP’s inclusive culture.

We are seeking a highly experienced Associate Director to join our Roads & Highways in Abu Dhabi. This is a senior technical and leadership role responsible for overseeing the delivery of complex roads and highways design packages for large-scale infrastructure and land development projects across the Emirate.

The successful candidate will bring extensive Abu Dhabi project experience, strong multidisciplinary coordination capability, and the ability to lead high-performing technical teams while maintaining close engagement with clients and authorities.

Technical Leadership & Design Oversight

• Provide technical leadership and oversight for the planning and detailed design of roads and highways infrastructure, including arterials, highways, interchanges, junctions, and access roads.
• Ensure design solutions comply with Abu Dhabi authority standards, manuals, and guidelines, as well as international best practice.
• Lead design development across all project stages, ensuring fully coordinated, buildable, and technically robust outcomes.

Project Delivery & Multidisciplinary Coordination

• Manage and coordinate multi-disciplinary design teams including utilities, drainage, structures, traffic, landscaping, and public realm disciplines.
• Oversee interface management between internal teams, external consultants, and contractors.
• Review and approve technical deliverables to ensure quality, consistency, and compliance with project requirements.

Client & Authority Engagement

• Act as a key point of contact with Clients, government authorities, and key stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead technical discussions, design reviews, and approvals with relevant Abu Dhabi authorities.
• Provide strategic advice to Clients on design approaches, phasing, constructability, and risk management.

Commercial & Operational Management

• Support project planning, resourcing, programme management, and budget control in coordination with project managers and directors.
• Contribute to proposal preparation, bids, and business development activities related to roads and highways projects.
• Assist in identifying opportunities for repeat business and long-term client relationships.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop senior and junior engineers within the Roads & Highways team.
• Promote a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Support talent development, succession planning, and performance management within the discipline.

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (Master’s degree preferred).
• 20+ years of professional experience in roads and highways design and delivery.
• Extensive experience delivering Abu Dhabi-based infrastructure and land development projects.
• Strong knowledge of local authority standards, approval processes, and regulatory requirements in Abu Dhabi.
• Proven ability to lead and coordinate large, multi-disciplinary design teams.
• Demonstrated experience in senior technical leadership roles (Associate Director, Technical Director, or equivalent).
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.

What if we can have work-life balance? What if we can be rewarded in ways that support our individual needs? What if we can be accepted for who we are? Here at WSP – we can!

WSP recognizes that work is only one part of our lives and making time for the other things in our life is important – be that our families, our friends or ourselves. So, if working from home, working part-time or having flexible start and finish time will help with this let us know as part of your application.

As well as rewarding you with competitive pay, WSP offers standard benefits including first class medical cover, generous days annual leave, and paid professional subscriptions.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.