Design Manager

About Buro Happold

Buro Happold offers opportunities to collaborate with top industry professionals on high-profile projects, emphasizing inclusivity, diversity, and a commitment to sustainability and equity. Joining the team means contributing to projects of global impact and leaving a meaningful legacy.

Role Overview

We are looking for a Design Manager to join our Project Design Management team based in Riyadh or Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This role requires leadership in design and project management within major building, infrastructure, and masterplanning projects across the Middle East. You will manage multidisciplinary teams, coordinate global resources, and ensure projects meet safety, schedule, budget, and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary design teams throughout all project stages, clarifying roles, priorities, interfaces, and delivery expectations.
• Oversee design development, manage design interfaces, and ensure efficient information flow across project phases.
• Facilitate design coordination meetings and ensure timely closure of action items.
• Manage BIM coordination and digital delivery processes collaboratively.
• Coordinate design submissions, support technical assurance, and ensure compliance with scope, standards, and quality requirements.
• Track programme, budget, resources, risks, opportunities, and changes to support project delivery.
• Develop and maintain Project Execution Plans, Design Management Plans, responsibility matrices, design schedules, and delivery protocols.
• Support value engineering, design optimization, and cost validation efforts.
• Prepare and present project reports, dashboards, and design updates for stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with Project Leaders and Directors to achieve successful project outcomes.
• Act as a primary design interface with clients, stakeholders, consultants, and sub-consultants.
• Manage client expectations, resolve design challenges, and maintain productive relationships.
• Assist with procurement activities including RFP preparation, technical evaluation, scope definition, and sub-consultant selection.
• Contribute to continuous improvements in Project and Design Management processes, tools, and best practices.

Skills and Experience

• Proven expertise in managing multidisciplinary design projects within engineering consultancy environments.
• Comprehensive understanding of the complete design lifecycle and stage-based delivery management.
• Experience with building, infrastructure, or masterplanning projects in a multidisciplinary engineering context.
• Capability to manage stakeholders and coordinate dispersed design teams effectively.
• Proficient in BIM workflows using Revit, BIM 360/ACC, and Navisworks.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to present complex technical information clearly.
• Strong organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience handling programme management, risk mitigation, change control, and design coordination.
• Commercially aware regarding scope, budget management, project controls, resource planning, contracts, and change processes.
• Demonstrated experience in mentoring and supporting junior personnel.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Project Management, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of professional experience working on projects in the Middle East.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities and client/stakeholder management experience.
• Professional membership, chartership, or active progression towards chartership is preferred.

Benefits and Culture

• Hybrid working arrangements available.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Strong emphasis on ongoing professional development, including tailored learning programs.
• Entitlement to two professional body memberships or subscriptions.
• Exposure to an international work culture that values exceptional work and diversity.

Inclusion and Accessibility

Buro Happold values flexible work patterns to support work-life balance and encourages applications from individuals seeking flexibility. We embrace diversity in thought, identity, background, and experience, striving for equitable representation in the built environment industry. We invite candidates who feel underrepresented or who need application accommodations to reach out for support.