We are seeking an experienced and highly capable Design Manager with a minimum of 15 years of relevant experienceto lead and manage the design function across projects from concept through detailed design and construction stages. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring design quality, coordination, compliance, timely delivery, and alignment with project objectives, budget, and overall strategy.
The Design Manager will lead multidisciplinary design teams, coordinate with consultants, contractors, clients, and other stakeholders, and ensure that all design deliverables meet the required technical, contractual, and quality standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the overall design process across multiple project stages.
- Manage and coordinate multidisciplinary design teams, including architectural, structural, MEP, infrastructure, and specialist consultants.
- Review and approve design deliverables to ensure compliance with project requirements, applicable codes, standards, and specifications.
- Establish and monitor design schedules, deliverables, and key milestones.
- Coordinate with project management, construction, commercial, and technical teams to ensure seamless project delivery.
- Manage design interfaces and identify potential conflicts, risks, and opportunities at an early stage.
- Review consultant proposals, scopes, design submissions, and technical documentation.
- Lead design review meetings and coordinate responses to technical comments and stakeholder requirements.
- Ensure effective design change management and assess the impact of changes on cost, schedule, quality, and constructability.
- Support value engineering and design optimization initiatives while maintaining project quality and functionality.
- Ensure design decisions are properly documented, communicated, and implemented.
- Monitor consultant performance and ensure deliverables are produced to the required quality and schedule.
- Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to design team members.
- Coordinate with authorities and relevant stakeholders as required to facilitate approvals and permits.
- Support tendering, procurement, and construction teams by providing design clarification and resolving technical issues.
- Ensure that lessons learned and best practices are incorporated into current and future projects.
- Prepare and present design status reports, risk registers, and key design issues to senior management.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, MEP Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 15 years of relevant professional experience, with significant experience in design management and multidisciplinary project delivery.
- Proven experience managing complex projects and multidisciplinary design teams.
- Strong knowledge of design management processes, construction methodologies, applicable codes, and industry standards.
- Experience working with consultants, contractors, clients, and government authorities.
- Strong understanding of project schedules, budgets, contracts, and change management.
- Excellent leadership, communication, coordination, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong proficiency in design and project management software and Microsoft Office.
- Professional certification or membership with a recognized engineering or architectural organization is preferred.
- Experience in the GCC / Saudi Arabian market is highly desirable.
Key Competencies
- Design Leadership
- Multidisciplinary Coordination
- Project & Design Management
- Technical Problem Solving
- Stakeholder Management
- Risk & Change Management
- Quality Assurance
- Team Leadership & Development
- Commercial Awareness
- Strategic Thinking
- Communication & Negotiation
Preferred Profile
The ideal candidate is a senior design professional and strategic leader who can manage complex design environments, drive high-quality deliverables, resolve multidisciplinary challenges, and effectively bridge the gap between design, project management, and construction teams.
Experience Level: 15+ Years
Position Level: Senior Management
