Design Manager (Portugal)

As a Design Manager, you will be responsible for the management and coordination of design activities for complex industrial and construction projects. Working closely with multidisciplinary designers, consultants, contractors, specialist suppliers, and project stakeholders, you will ensure the successful delivery of design packages throughout the project lifecycle. The role involves coordinating design interfaces, reviews, approvals, and changes while maintaining alignment with project objectives, programme requirements, permitting processes, and construction needs.

Academic Background

• University degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or a related technical discipline.
• Additional qualifications in Project Management, Design Management or BIM would be an advantage.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 10 years of professional experience, preferably involving the management and coordination of design activities for complex industrial or construction projects.
• Experience within PMC, EPCM or EPC environments would be an advantage.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary designers, consultants, contractors and specialist suppliers.
• Experience managing design deliverables, schedules, reviews, interfaces, technical queries, approvals and changes.

International and Local Experience

• Experience working with international clients and multicultural project teams.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Portuguese market, including experience working with local designers, engineering consultants and contractors.
• Good knowledge of Portuguese regulations, applicable local standards and local permitting and approval processes.

Language Skills

• English and Portuguese: high level (minimum C1)
• Spanish and German is a plus.

Technical and Management Knowledge

• Strong understanding of multidisciplinary design management and coordination.
• Good understanding of the interfaces between design, permitting, procurement and construction.
• Experience with design reviews, deliverable tracking, interface management and change management.
• Good understanding of BIM-based coordination.

Professional and Personal Competencies

• Strong management, coordination and organisational skills.
• Ability to proactively manage designers and consultants and drive actions, decisions and deliverables.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong focus on programme, interfaces, coordination and timely decision-making.
• Pragmatic, proactive and solution-oriented approach.

Location and Mobility

• Based in Portugal, with regular presence at the project office and/or site.
• Availability for national and international travel as required.

• To ensure your work-life balance, we offer the option of mobile working
• We promote your professional and personal development through individual training and further education at the Drees & Sommer Academy
• We support your health with a bonus for sports enthusiasts. We offer the possibility of subscribing to a private health insurance policy
• Employees benefit from tax advantages related to their commuting expenses for the office
• Fiscal advantages for employees expenses in meal costs during worktime. Employee referral program with attractive bonus scheme
• Supporting career and family by receiving tax benefits for kindergarten expenses