About the Role

WSP in the Middle East is seeking a Senior Project Director – Aviation to join our team in Saudi Arabia. This full-time position requires a leader with over 10 years of experience to oversee the successful delivery of a major aviation program. The role focuses on airport design modernization and infrastructure enhancement, requiring strategic direction to multi-disciplinary teams and ensuring alignment with client and contractual expectations. The Project Director will represent WSP at senior levels with authorities, stakeholders, and executive decision-makers, managing all aspects of project performance including schedule, technical delivery, quality, risk, and commercial governance.

Strategic Leadership and Governance

This role involves providing strategic direction and leadership to all project teams, both on-site and in remote support functions. A strong governance framework will be established and maintained to ensure clarity of roles, responsibilities, reporting lines, and escalation protocols. The focus will be on driving a culture of delivery excellence, safety, compliance, and continuous improvement across the program.

Client and Stakeholder Engagement

The Senior Project Director will serve as the primary point of contact for the client, ensuring transparent communication and alignment on objectives. Building and maintaining strong relationships with senior client representatives, aviation authorities, regulatory bodies, and key external stakeholders is essential. The role includes representing WSP in high-level steering committees, progress reviews, and commercial discussions.

Project Delivery and Oversight

Responsibility extends to the overall delivery of the aviation project from initiation to handover, ensuring compliance with contractual, technical, and statutory requirements. This includes overseeing planning, design, construction, and commissioning phases. Monitoring schedule performance, identifying critical paths, and implementing recovery plans are key duties. Adherence to WSP quality frameworks, aviation standards, and global best practices is paramount, as is driving technical excellence across all workstreams and validating key technical submissions.

Risk, Safety, and Commercial Management

A robust risk management strategy will be established and managed, covering technical, commercial, operational, and external risks. A strong safety culture will be championed, ensuring compliance with HSE regulations and WSP safety principles. The role also involves oversight of all commercial activities, including contract performance, change management, claims avoidance, and budget control, ensuring financial integrity through accurate forecasting and reporting. Leadership in commercial negotiations will be required to safeguard WSP’s contractual and financial position.

Qualifications and Experience

Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Aviation Management, or a related discipline, with a Master’s degree being preferred. A minimum of 20 years of experience in project and program delivery is required, with significant exposure to large-scale aviation, airports, or complex infrastructure programs. A proven track record in leading multi-billion SAR aviation or transport projects in the Middle East, preferably in KSA, is essential. Experience in PMC/consultancy environments with familiarity in contract administration (FIDIC or similar) is also necessary. Deep understanding of aviation standards, airport systems, operations, and regulatory frameworks, alongside exceptional stakeholder management and executive communication skills, are critical.