Executive Design Manager - Bridges, Aviation & Roads NSW

What if your next role wasn’t just another project, but a defining chapter in Australia’s infrastructure story?

At WSP, we are shaping the transport networks that connect cities, unlock economic growth and leave a lasting legacy. From complex motorway upgrades and city-shaping interchanges, to nationally significant aviation infrastructure and bridge programs, our Major Projects team is trusted to deliver some of the most challenging infrastructure projects in the country.

We are now seeking an Executive Design Manager to join our Bridges, Aviation and Roads business in NSW. This is a senior leadership role for someone who can combine technical excellence, commercial acumen and strategic influence, leading projects that genuinely matter.

The Opportunity

As an Executive Design Manager, you will take end-to-end accountability for the delivery of large, complex transport infrastructure projects across their full lifecycle. You will operate as a trusted advisor to clients and partners, providing clear leadership through design development, approvals, construction interface, and delivery.

You will work alongside recognised industry leaders within WSP, drawing on our national and global capability to solve complex problems, manage risk and deliver outcomes in highly regulated, high-profile environments.

This is not a role focused on one discipline or one phase. It is about leadership, judgement, and the ability to bring together multidisciplinary teams to deliver exceptional outcomes across roads, bridges, and aviation infrastructure.

What you will be responsible for

You will lead the delivery of major transport infrastructure projects, often characterised by high stakeholder complexity, significant risk profiles, and demanding programme requirements.

• Provide strong leadership across design, project management and construction interface, ensuring scope, cost, programme, quality, and safety outcomes are achieved.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior client representatives, contractors, regulators, and internal stakeholders, acting as a calm and credible point of leadership throughout delivery.
• Establish and oversee robust project governance, commercial management, and risk mitigation processes from project inception through to completion.
• Mentor and develop senior project managers and technical leaders, strengthening capability and succession within the major projects team.
• Contribute to work-winning activities, helping shape pursuit strategies and delivery models for future major projects, drawing on your delivery experience to influence how WSP positions and executes work.

About you

You are a senior infrastructure professional with at least 20 years of experience delivering major road, bridge, or aviation projects in Australia (preferably in NSW), either in consultancy, contractor, or client-side environments.

Your success in this role will depend on:

• Significant experience in Australia managing large, multidisciplinary teams and complex interfaces across design and construction.
• Sound commercial judgement, with experience managing large project budgets, programme risk, and contractual arrangements.
• Leadership style: calm under pressure, decisive when required, and collaborative by default.
• Tertiary qualifications in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.

Why WSP

With WSP, you can access the scale, resources, and global expertise of a firm with more than 83,000 people worldwide, while still working in close-knit teams that value collaboration and trust.

You will work on projects that shape cities and communities, supported by a culture that values leadership, technical excellence, and professional integrity.
We offer flexible working arrangements, a strong focus on wellbeing, and an employee Share Purchase Plan that allows you to invest in WSP’s collective success.

Imagine a better future for you, and a better future for us all.

With us, you can. Apply today.