Design Manager

Design manager role overview

Leading design delivery for buildings, villas, mixed-use developments, and theme park projects across the Middle East, ensuring alignment with client vision, technical standards, and project requirements. Manages multidisciplinary design teams, coordinates design development, and oversees design reviews, approvals, and integration with construction and procurement processes. Drives design quality, resolves technical challenges, and ensures timely delivery of coordinated, compliant, and buildable design solutions.

Key responsibilities

• Communicate continuously with the client’s representatives regarding project progress and areas of concern.
• Propose in-house project management procedures to comply with contract requirements and client procedures.
• Establish and maintain specific project procedures for design and construction supervision management as applicable.
• Prepare special reports to the project director to investigate any problems related to the scope of services and recommend solutions to management.
• Identify priorities and tasks and develop the organization structure to assure execution of tasks by providing clear direction on methods, time frame, and schedule to achieve stated goals.
• Provide clear definition of roles and responsibilities of project management staff.
• Attend executive meetings and progress meetings.
• Monitor performance to assure successful delivery of key performance indicators and client contractual requirements.
• Advise the project director on any potential variation to the design, supervision consultant, and contractor’s scope of work that may generate cost or time impact and present the project management’s assessment.
• Assist the project director in leading the project management staff in assessing variations and claims and report the technical position of the proposed variation to the client.
• Advise the project director of any foreseen slippage of progress and propose corrective actions.
• Review weekly and monthly reports as presented by design and supervision consultants and contractors and present to the client comments of non-compliance, areas of concern, and corrective actions.
• Coordinate with design manager during the detailed design stage of the project to ensure design compliance with client requirements and avoid any cost impact.
• Stay informed of relevant quality, environmental, safety, and occupational health policies, manuals, and procedures in place within the company, and ensure continued compliance with these requirements while employed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the line manager or supervisor.

Qualifications and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, construction management, or equivalent.
• Minimum of 15+ years of experience in comprehensive mega projects with overall responsibility for project design.
• PMP, CIOB, RICS, or equivalent certification is strongly preferred.
• Experience working internationally, with preference for GCC experience.

Skills and competencies

• Lead and motivate teams of diverse individuals to achieve common goals, requiring strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Oversee the planning and execution of multiple projects within a program, including defining project goals, establishing timelines, allocating resources, and tracking progress.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks and issues that could impact the program’s success, demonstrating strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Interact with a wide range of stakeholders, including executives, project managers, team members, and customers. Effectively manage stakeholder expectations, address concerns, and maintain clear communication channels.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, articulating complex concepts clearly, providing concise updates, and actively listening to feedback.
• Lead and motivate teams, set clear expectations, and provide constructive feedback. Be confident and foster a collaborative working environment.
• Identify and resolve issues that arise during program execution by analyzing problems from multiple perspectives, developing creative solutions, and implementing effective strategies.
• Manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously. Prioritize effectively, meet deadlines, and maintain clear documentation.

About the company

The company provides program management, project management, construction management, project management oversight, advisory, facilities management, and other consulting services to clients in a variety of market sectors. It is recognized as one of the largest program management firms in the world. The company is exclusively a program, project, and construction management provider, focusing solely on protecting client interests. Free of any potential conflicts, the entire business is geared towards helping clients achieve their desired outcomes. The company is dedicated to exceeding expectations throughout the entire construction project lifecycle and adapts to the needs of each assignment to develop tailored approaches and solutions.

The company is part of a global infrastructure solutions group of companies.

Equal opportunity employer, veteran, and disabled friendly.

Additional information

This job description is intended to provide an indication of the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other essential functions to be carried out as part of fulfilling the role. Various other duties may be required.