Associate Director - Water Hydrology and Stormwater

About the role

WSP is looking for an experienced Associate Director - Water (Hydrology & Stormwater) to join its Transport & Infrastructure business unit in Sharjah/Dubai, UAE. The role leads the technical delivery, strategy and growth of hydrology, stormwater management, flood risk and drainage design services across major infrastructure and land development projects in the Emirate.

Key responsibilities

• Lead complex hydrological assessments, flood risk studies, stormwater management strategies and drainage master planning, and direct hydrological and hydraulic modelling, catchment analysis and climate resilience assessments.
• Review and approve technical deliverables such as reports, designs, calculations, modelling outputs and authority submissions, ensuring compliance with local authority requirements and international best practice.
• Provide technical oversight across large-scale infrastructure programmes, support Project Directors, lead technical risk assessments and ensure hydrology and stormwater designs integrate with master planning.
• Act as a senior technical advisor and client representative, lead stakeholder workshops and design reviews, manage authority approvals and build long-term client relationships.
• Lead, mentor and develop hydrology, drainage and water engineering teams, conduct technical reviews and quality assurance, and support succession planning.
• Contribute technical input to proposals and bids, support business planning, identify market opportunities and represent the organisation at industry forums and conferences.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Water Engineering or a related discipline (Masters preferred).
• Minimum 18+ years of experience in hydrology, stormwater management, flood risk assessment and drainage design, including major infrastructure and land development projects in the UAE.
• Proven track record leading multidisciplinary teams on large-scale programmes, with strong client-facing leadership and stakeholder management.
• Experience supporting business development, proposal preparation and strategic client engagement.
• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional accreditation is highly desirable.

Required skills

• Advanced knowledge of hydrological and hydraulic modelling software such as InfoWorks ICM, HEC-RAS, Flood Modeller, StormCAD or MicroDrainage.
• Strong understanding of UAE authority requirements, approval processes and design standards.
• Excellent communication, leadership and technical governance skills.