Design Manager (Interior Design/Architecture) - Riyadh, KSA

About the Company

Our client is a globally recognized interior design firm boasting over 25 years of expertise in shaping spaces that embody brand values and enrich consumer experiences. Founded by experts in branding, the company bridges design with commerce and maintains an influential presence across North America, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Renowned for a collaborative culture, innovation, and entrepreneurial vigor, they deliver high-quality design solutions worldwide.

Position Summary

We are looking to onboard an experienced Design Manager with a minimum of 12 years in the architecture or interior design field. This leadership role entails managing and mentoring a design team while overseeing complex projects—from initial briefings and concept creation through to technical coordination and final delivery. The successful candidate will demonstrate a blend of creative vision, technical know-how, commercial insight, project management expertise, and excellent client engagement skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary design team by providing mentorship, defining responsibilities, establishing priorities, and setting standards for performance.
• Determine and uphold the creative direction and design vision throughout all project phases.
• Oversee multiple sophisticated projects managing scope, timelines, budgeting, resources, deliverables, risk, and quality assurance.
• Serve as the main senior client liaison, cultivating strong relationships and adeptly managing expectations.
• Conduct client meetings, workshops, presentations, and design approval processes to ensure alignment.
• Convert client input and feedback into actionable tasks for design and project groups.
• Offer hands-on creative and technical leadership, especially during critical project milestones.
• Review and authorize design concepts, technical documentation, specifications, material selections, and related packages.
• Collaborate efficiently with consultants, contractors, suppliers, production teams, and other relevant parties.
• Guarantee that all designs are innovative, practical, accurate, commercially sound, and comply with industry regulations.
• Identify and address any design, technical, commercial, or coordination challenges before they impact project outcomes.
• Effectively manage design modifications with clear communication regarding effects on scope, fees, scheduling, and resources.
• Contribute to business development efforts including proposal creation, fee submissions, bids, resource planning, and cost control.
• Maintain rigorous quality control practices, detailed documentation, effective communication, and thorough project reporting.
• Participate in refining the company's design strategy, enhance reputation, improve operations, and drive business growth.

Qualifications and Experience

• Possess a bachelor's or master's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Product Design, Graphic Design, or related fields.
• Have over 12 years of progressive experience, including significant senior leadership in design roles.
• Show proven success directing multidisciplinary teams and managing intricate, high-value, or high-profile projects.
• Present a portfolio reflecting creative distinction, technical excellence, and successful project implementation.
• Display extensive experience in managing senior client interactions, conducting presentations, negotiating requirements, and resolving complex situations.
• Have a deep understanding of the entire project delivery pipeline and design lifecycle.
• Demonstrate strong technical familiarity with materials, detailing, specifications, production, construction techniques, and industry standards.
• Exhibit excellent leadership, communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement competencies.
• Show commercial savvy in budgeting, fee structuring, resource allocation, cost control, and managing changes.
• Possess advanced skills in planning, decision-making, problem-solving, and risk mitigation.
• Be capable of juggling numerous projects, clients, teams, budgets, and deadlines effectively.
• Be proficient with relevant design, documentation, presentation, collaboration, and project management software tools.
• Maintain composure, professionalism, and efficiency under pressure.
• Adopt a proactive, hands-on mindset characterized by adaptability, attention to detail, and accountability.
• Be fluent in English; additional language skills are advantageous.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned, confident design leader combining artistic creativity with strong technical knowledge, commercial insight, and robust project management abilities. This person will be strategic yet detail-oriented, able to inspire high-performing teams, foster trusted client partnerships, and confidently manage projects through all phases from conception to execution.