Project Director - Infrastructure

Job Description WSP is seeking an accomplished Project Director - Infrastructure to lead the delivery of major infrastructure and masterplan development projects across Saudi Arabia. This strategic leadership role will be responsible for overseeing the planning, design, management, and successful delivery of complex multidisciplinary infrastructure programmes for government entities, giga-project developers, and private-sector clients. The successful candidate will have extensive experience working with leading international engineering consultancies and a proven track record delivering large-scale infrastructure and masterplan development projects within Saudi Arabia. The role requires a strong technical engineering background, preferably in Civil Engineering, combined with exceptional project leadership, commercial management, stakeholder engagement, and client relationship capabilities. As a senior client-facing leader, the Project Director will be responsible for driving project performance, ensuring technical excellence, maintaining strong client relationships, and providing strategic direction across major infrastructure programmes aligned to Saudi Arabia's ambitious development agenda. Responsibilities Project Leadership & Delivery • Lead the successful delivery of large-scale infrastructure and masterplan development projects across Saudi Arabia. • Provide strategic leadership throughout the project lifecycle from planning and design through to implementation and close-out. • Establish project execution strategies, governance frameworks, delivery plans, and performance objectives. • Ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with client expectations and quality standards. • Direct multidisciplinary teams comprising engineering, project management, commercial, planning, and specialist disciplines. • Drive collaboration across project stakeholders to ensure successful project outcomes. Client Relationship & Stakeholder Management • Act as the primary client interface and trusted advisor for key projects and accounts. • Develop and maintain strong relationships with government authorities, developers, infrastructure agencies, and strategic stakeholders. • Lead executive-level client engagement and project governance discussions. • Manage stakeholder expectations and provide proactive communication throughout project delivery. • Represent the organisation at steering committees, executive meetings, and project review forums. • Support the growth of long-term client relationships and future business opportunities. Commercial & Financial Management • Assume overall responsibility for project financial performance and commercial success. • Oversee budgets, resource planning, forecasting, profitability, and project controls. • Support contract negotiations and contribute to commercial strategy and decision-making. • Monitor project risks and ensure appropriate mitigation measures are implemented. • Manage change control processes, variations, and commercial issues throughout project delivery. • Drive operational excellence and achievement of key project performance indicators. Technical Leadership • Provide technical oversight and strategic direction on major infrastructure and masterplan development projects. • Ensure engineering solutions meet client requirements, regulatory standards, and industry best practices. • Review and approve critical project deliverables and technical outputs. • Lead multidisciplinary coordination to ensure integrated and efficient project delivery. • Champion innovation, value engineering, sustainability, and technical excellence. • Promote high standards of quality, safety, and engineering governance. Risk, Governance & Compliance • Ensure projects comply with contractual, regulatory, and corporate governance requirements. • Lead project risk management activities and escalation processes where necessary. • Oversee project assurance reviews, audits, and lessons-learned initiatives. • Ensure compliance with quality management systems and project management frameworks. • Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and best practice. Business Development & Strategic Growth • Support strategic growth initiatives within the Transport & Infrastructure business. • Participate in major bids, tenders, client presentations, and business development activities. • Identify opportunities for repeat business and expansion within existing client accounts. • Provide market intelligence and support strategic positioning within the Saudi Arabian infrastructure sector. • Contribute to the overall business strategy and growth objectives of the region. Leadership & Team Development • Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing multidisciplinary teams. • Support the professional development of Project Managers, Design Managers, and technical leaders. • Promote a collaborative and inclusive culture focused on excellence and innovation. • Drive employee engagement, knowledge sharing, and succession planning initiatives. • Serve as a role model for leadership, professionalism, and client service excellence. Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline. • Minimum 20+ years of experience within engineering consultancy, infrastructure project delivery, or major development programmes. • Proven track record working with leading international engineering consultancies. • Demonstrated experience delivering large-scale infrastructure and masterplan development projects in Saudi Arabia, including complex multidisciplinary programmes. • Strong technical engineering background with extensive experience in civil infrastructure projects. • Proven leadership experience managing multidisciplinary project teams across the full project lifecycle. • Significant client-facing experience with government entities, developers, infrastructure authorities, and major stakeholders. • Strong commercial awareness with responsibility for project delivery, profitability, risk management, and contractual compliance. • Excellent communication, negotiation, stakeholder management, and leadership skills. • Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, PMP certification, or equivalent professional accreditation is desirable. • Established knowledge of the Saudi Arabian infrastructure market and major development programmes is highly desirable. 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Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline. Minimum 20+ years of experience within engineering consultancy, infrastructure project delivery, or major development programmes. Proven track record working with leading international engineering consultancies. Demonstrated experience delivering large-scale infrastructure and masterplan development projects in Saudi Arabia, including complex multidisciplinary programmes. Strong technical engineering background with extensive experience in civil infrastructure projects. Proven leadership experience managing multidisciplinary project teams across the full project lifecycle. Significant client-facing experience with government entities, developers, infrastructure authorities, and major stakeholders. Strong commercial awareness with responsibility for project delivery, profitability, risk management, and contractual compliance. Excellent communication, negotiation, stakeholder management, and leadership skills. Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, PMP certification, or equivalent professional accreditation is desirable. Established knowledge of the Saudi Arabian infrastructure market and major development programmes is highly desirable.

Project Leadership & Delivery: Lead the successful delivery of large-scale infrastructure and masterplan development projects across Saudi Arabia. Provide strategic leadership throughout the project lifecycle from planning and design through to implementation and close-out. Establish project execution strategies, governance frameworks, delivery plans, and performance objectives. Ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with client expectations and quality standards. Direct multidisciplinary teams comprising engineering, project management, commercial, planning, and specialist disciplines. Drive collaboration across project stakeholders to ensure successful project outcomes. Client Relationship & Stakeholder Management: Act as the primary client interface and trusted advisor for key projects and accounts. Develop and maintain strong relationships with government authorities, developers, infrastructure agencies, and strategic stakeholders. Lead executive-level client engagement and project governance discussions. Manage stakeholder expectations and provide proactive communication throughout project delivery. Represent the organisation at steering committees, executive meetings, and project review forums. Support the growth of long-term client relationships and future business opportunities. Commercial & Financial Management: Assume overall responsibility for project financial performance and commercial success. Oversee budgets, resource planning, forecasting, profitability, and project controls. Support contract negotiations and contribute to commercial strategy and decision-making. Monitor project risks and ensure appropriate mitigation measures are implemented. Manage change control processes, variations, and commercial issues throughout project delivery. Drive operational excellence and achievement of key project performance indicators. Technical Leadership: Provide technical oversight and strategic direction on major infrastructure and masterplan development projects. Ensure engineering solutions meet client requirements, regulatory standards, and industry best practices. Review and approve critical project deliverables and technical outputs. Lead multidisciplinary coordination to ensure integrated and efficient project delivery. Champion innovation, value engineering, sustainability, and technical excellence. Promote high standards of quality, safety, and engineering governance. Risk, Governance & Compliance: Ensure projects comply with contractual, regulatory, and corporate governance requirements. Lead project risk management activities and escalation processes where necessary. Oversee project assurance reviews, audits, and lessons-learned initiatives. Ensure compliance with quality management systems and project management frameworks. Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and best practice. Business Development & Strategic Growth: Support strategic growth initiatives within the Transport & Infrastructure business. Participate in major bids, tenders, client presentations, and business development activities. Identify opportunities for repeat business and expansion within existing client accounts. Provide market intelligence and support strategic positioning within the Saudi Arabian infrastructure sector. Contribute to the overall business strategy and growth objectives of the region. Leadership & Team Development: Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing multidisciplinary teams. Support the professional development of Project Managers, Design Managers, and technical leaders. Promote a collaborative and inclusive culture focused on excellence and innovation. Drive employee engagement, knowledge sharing, and succession planning initiatives. Serve as a role model for leadership, professionalism, and client service excellence.