About the Role
The company is seeking an Associate Director - Utilities to lead the management and technical review of design on a major stormwater infrastructure programme in Abu Dhabi. As part of the Project Management Consultancy (PMC) team acting on behalf of the client, you will oversee the design consultants, ensuring designs are coordinated, compliant, and fit for construction while keeping design progress aligned with the programme and budget.
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Responsibilities
- Lead design management across the programme, from concept through to detailed design, tender, and construction support.
- Manage the design consultants’ performance against the design programme, scope, and quality requirements.
- Review design submissions for stormwater drainage networks, culverts, outfalls, pumping stations, attenuation and retention structures, and stormwater tunnels where applicable.
- Review hydrological and hydraulic modelling, flood risk assessments, and climate resilience approaches, challenging assumptions where needed.
- Coordinate design across disciplines (civil, structures, geotechnical, MEP, electrical and control systems) and provide consolidated comments and recommendations to the client.
- Run the design interface process with utilities, roads, other packages, and third parties, and resolve clashes and open design issues.
- Ensure designs comply with the client’s requirements, applicable standards, and the requirements of the relevant Abu Dhabi authorities and utility providers.
- Manage the design approvals and no objection certificate (NOC) process, and track submissions through to approval.
- Lead constructability, value engineering, and risk reviews, and assess the cost and programme impact of design changes.
- Manage the design change control process and support the commercial team in assessing design-related variations and claims.
- Support the tender stage by reviewing tender design packages and answering technical clarifications.
- Prepare design progress reports and present them to the client, steering committees, and senior stakeholders.
- Lead and mentor a team of design managers and engineers, promoting good design quality and safety in design.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources, or a related discipline. A Master’s degree is preferred.
- Chartered status (CEng, MICE, CIWEM or equivalent) or an equivalent professional registration is preferred.
- 20+ years of experience in stormwater, drainage, or water infrastructure design or design management, with 5+ years in the UAE or GCC.
- Proven experience managing or reviewing design on large infrastructure programmes, ideally in a PMC or client-side role.
- Strong knowledge of stormwater design and flood management, and familiarity with modelling tools such as InfoWorks ICM, MIKE, HEC-RAS, or SWMM.
- Working knowledge of the design approval processes and standards used in Abu Dhabi.
- Good understanding of design coordination, BIM processes, and the Common Data Environment.
- Familiarity with FIDIC contracts and how design affects cost and programme.
- Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
Additional Information
At the company, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at a company office location as a condition of employment.
Benefits
The company is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, company benefits may include:
- Medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability benefits
- Paid time off and leaves of absence
- Voluntary benefits and perks
- Flexible work options and well-being resources
- Employee assistance program
- Business travel insurance
- Service recognition awards
- Retirement savings plan and employee stock purchase plan
Work Environment
You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a workplace built on respect, collaboration, and community, where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Location
- State/Province: Abu Dhabi
- Primary Location: AE - Abu Dhabi, UAE - Site - Interna
- Work Location Model: On-Site
