Associate Director - Water (Hydrology and Stormwater)

WSP

Sharjah, UAE
Salary not disclosed
Employment type: Full-time
Level: Lead

For international applicants

Visa

In the UAE the employer usually arranges the work visa (country practice; the posting doesn’t say).

Check the posting for nationality or residence rules.

More about this

In these Gulf countries the employer normally applies for the work visa and residence permit. This is how hiring works there, not an offer written in the posting, and it applies only to these locations.

Your work rights

Confirm requirements with employer

Get similar jobs with visa sponsorshipEngineering jobs in the UAE with visa sponsorship

WSPPosted on the employer’s careers page · emit.fa.ca3.oraclecloud.com

Working in UAE

Possible country route: Employer-sponsored work residence / Golden Visa. Standard employment residence is applied for by the employer. Golden Visa is a separate long-term route with category-specific eligibility; it is not included in every relocation offer.

Depends on the emirate, entry permit, work permit, medical checks and residence issuance. Confirm a dated plan with the employer and issuing authority.

What to check before applying

Confirm the employment route. Ask which authority handles the work permit and residence.
Verify costs and offer. For standard overseas hiring, official guidance assigns recruitment and residence processing costs to the employer.
Complete arrival formalities. Follow the medical and Emirates ID instructions for your route.

Official immigration guidance ↗

Reviewed 2026-10-14. Country routes are context, not a confirmation that this vacancy or your passport qualifies.

Description (EN)

We are seeking an experienced Associate Director - Water (Hydrology & Stormwater) to join our Transport & Infrastructure business unit in Sharjah/Dubai, UAE. This senior role will be responsible for leading the technical delivery, strategic direction, and growth of hydrology, stormwater management, flood risk, and drainage design services across major infrastructure and land development projects throughout the Emirate.

The successful candidate will bring 18+ years of experience in hydrology and stormwater engineering, with extensive knowledge of infrastructure projects and authority requirements. You will work with multidisciplinary teams, provide technical governance, manage senior client and authority relationships, and drive the development of innovative, resilient, and sustainable water management solutions.

Technical Leadership & Hydrology Expertise

Lead complex hydrological assessments, flood risk studies, stormwater management strategies, and drainage master planning for major infrastructure and land development projects.
Provide technical leadership in hydrological and hydraulic modelling, catchment analysis, climate resilience assessments, and sustainable drainage solutions.
Direct the development of innovative stormwater management strategies aligned with regional sustainability objectives.
Review and approve technical deliverables including reports, designs, calculations, modelling outputs, and authority submissions.
Ensure compliance with local authority requirements, industry standards, and international best practices.

Strategic Project Delivery

Provide technical oversight across multiple large-scale infrastructure programmes.
Support Project Directors and senior project teams on complex water-related challenges and delivery strategies.
Lead technical risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies for project success.
Ensure integration of hydrology and stormwater designs within broader infrastructure and master planning projects.
Drive technical excellence and consistency across project portfolios.

Client & Authority Engagement

Act as a senior technical advisor and trusted client representative.
Lead high-level stakeholder workshops, design reviews, and project governance meetings.
Manage authority engagement and approval processes with relevant UAE entities.
Build long-term client relationships and support strategic account development.
Provide expert technical advice on major infrastructure pursuits and project opportunities.

Team Leadership & Capability Development

Lead, mentor, and develop hydrology, drainage, and water engineering teams.
Promote technical excellence, knowledge sharing, and continuous professional development.
Conduct technical reviews and quality assurance assessments across projects.
Support succession planning and capability growth within the discipline.
Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture.

Business Development & Growth

Lead technical input into major proposals, bids, and framework opportunities.
Support business planning and growth initiatives within the Water and Infrastructure sectors.
Identify emerging market opportunities and promote innovative service offerings.
Develop thought leadership initiatives and represent the organisation at industry forums and conferences.

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, or a related discipline (Master's degree preferred).
Minimum 18+ years of experience in hydrology, stormwater management, flood risk assessment, and drainage design.
Extensive experience delivering major infrastructure and land development projects within the UAE.
Proven track record of leading multidisciplinary teams on large-scale infrastructure programmes.
Advanced knowledge of hydrological and hydraulic modelling software including InfoWorks ICM, HEC-RAS, Flood Modeller, StormCAD, MicroDrainage, or similar platforms.
Strong understanding of UAE authority requirements, approval processes, and design standards.
Demonstrated client-facing leadership experience and stakeholder management capabilities.
Experience supporting business development, proposal preparation, and strategic client engagement.
Excellent communication, leadership, and technical governance skills.
Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional accreditation is highly desirable.

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

Sharjah, UAEOpen in maps ↗

Never pay a recruiter for a job offer or a visa promise. Check the original posting and employer identity before sharing documents. Pay any legitimate government visa fees only through official channels. Never pay for a job: the law in the UAE

Published 29 days ago