Technical Director - Roads & Highways

About the role

WSP in the Middle East is looking for an experienced Technical Director - Roads & Highways to lead and grow its Transport & Infrastructure design practice in Abu Dhabi. The successful candidate will bring extensive design expertise, deep familiarity with Abu Dhabi standards and authorities, and a proven track record on complex infrastructure projects. The role covers major design programs, strategic direction, mentoring multidisciplinary teams and ensuring technical excellence.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the planning, design and technical delivery of major roads, highways, junctions, interchanges and corridor development projects.
• Review and approve design outputs such as geometric design, pavement design, drainage, utilities coordination and traffic engineering, ensuring compliance with Abu Dhabi Municipality, DMT, ITC, UPC and other authority standards.
• Oversee multiple concurrent projects, keeping them within scope, schedule, budget and quality, and manage design teams, sub-consultants and stakeholder interfaces.
• Conduct technical risk assessments, support business development through technical proposals and client presentations, and act as a senior technical advisor to clients and authorities.
• Mentor engineers, discipline leads and project managers, contribute to training and knowledge sharing, and support recruitment and talent development.

Required profile

• 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.
• Proven track record delivering major highways, arterial roads, interchanges and corridor projects.
• Experience leading large multidisciplinary teams in a consultancy environment.
• Chartered/Professional Engineer status (CEng, PE or equivalent) highly desirable.

Required skills

• Strong understanding of Abu Dhabi authority standards, design manuals and approval processes.
• Excellent communication, leadership and client-facing skills.