Associate Director Development Planning & Urban Design

About the Role

WSP is seeking an Associate Director Development Planning & Urban Design to join their team in Riyadh, Riyadh. This full-time role involves serving as a senior member of the Development, Planning & Urban Design (DPUD) business across the Middle East. The successful candidate will work closely with the Director and Technical Directors to lead the business, drive sustainable growth, manage key client relationships, oversee project delivery, and strengthen leadership capability across the regional practice.

The role combines business development, client leadership, operational management, project direction, and people leadership. The Associate Director will progressively assume broader commercial and leadership responsibilities, act as the Director's delegate when required, and help ensure the long-term resilience, continuity, and growth of the DPUD practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Director in implementing the strategic vision, annual business plan, and growth objectives for the DPUD practice.
• Lead initiatives to improve operational efficiency, delivery performance, profitability, and collaboration.
• Develop and manage relationships with strategic government, semi-government, and private sector clients, acting as Client Account Lead for priority accounts.
• Lead and support major bids, proposals, frameworks, and strategic pursuits, building a qualified pipeline across planning, development advisory, spatial strategy, master planning, and urban design.
• Act as Project Director on major development, planning, and urban transformation commissions, providing senior oversight of scope, program, quality, risk, resourcing, and commercial performance.
• Provide line management and leadership to senior team members, coaching and mentoring project directors, managers, planners, urban designers, and technical specialists.
• Maintain professional credibility in planning, development, and urban transformation, providing senior review and challenge for key deliverables.
• Support the delivery of annual revenue, margin, utilization, and cash objectives, monitoring project financial performance.
• Act on behalf of the Director during periods of absence or formal delegation, chairing practice leadership and project review meetings as required.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred.
• Extensive experience (typically 12+ years) in urban planning, urban design, and development, with a strong background in managing large-scale projects, ideally within the Middle East.
• In-depth knowledge of urban planning, development, and design processes.
• Familiarity with local and international urban design regulations and sustainability principles.
• Proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams, senior client relationships, and commercial outcomes.
• Experience operating within a major consultancy or comparable complex professional-services environment.

Work Environment

This role is based in Riyadh, Riyadh, and is a full-time position within WSP's Development, Planning & Urban Design (DPUD) business. The Associate Director will work within a global organization, collaborating with diverse and talented individuals across various disciplines.

Application Process

Candidates interested in this opportunity are encouraged to apply.