Associate Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Associate Design Director

Company: Mace

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Job Type: Full-time, Regular

Category: Design Management / Construction Operations

Date Posted: September 16, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic direction and execution of design across a portfolio of high-value building and infrastructure projects within a prestigious private estate development.

• Serve as the senior design authority and primary interface between the client, Project Management Consultancy (PMC) team, consultants, and other key stakeholders, ensuring alignment with the client's vision and project objectives.

• Establish and maintain robust design governance, review, and approval processes to ensure design excellence, integration, and consistency across all project phases from concept to handover.

• Drive design outcomes by leading multidisciplinary consultant teams, fostering high performance, and providing strategic design advice while balancing commercial, operational, sustainability, and technical requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a high-stakes, premium development program, requiring a senior leader with a strong blend of technical design acumen, strategic oversight, and exceptional stakeholder management capabilities. The emphasis on "senior design authority" and "client interface" suggests a pivotal role in shaping the project's aesthetic and functional integrity, demanding a proactive and influential approach to design leadership. The "confidential development programme" implies a need for discretion and a mature understanding of high-profile project environments.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the overall design strategy and delivery across a diverse portfolio of building and infrastructure projects within the designated development program.

• Act as the principal design liaison, facilitating clear and effective communication between the client, PMC team, consultants, and all other critical stakeholders.

• Define, implement, and uphold rigorous design governance, review, and approval frameworks to ensure adherence to quality standards and project objectives.

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to multidisciplinary consultant teams, ensuring seamless design integration, coordination, and consistency throughout the program lifecycle.

• Oversee and guide the design process from initial concept development through to construction completion and final project handover.

• Champion design excellence while meticulously managing programme timelines, commercial viability, operational needs, sustainability goals, and technical specifications.

• Lead and facilitate key design review meetings, technical workshops, and high-level stakeholder presentations, ensuring informed decision-making.

• Proactively identify, assess, and manage design-related risks, critical interfaces, and technical challenges that may impact project delivery timelines and outcomes.

• Ensure all design packages are comprehensively coordinated, compliant with regulations, constructible, and fully aligned with overarching project goals and client expectations.

• Contribute to procurement strategies and actively participate in the selection processes for consultants and contractors, evaluating their design capabilities and alignment.

• Review, endorse, and approve critical technical submissions and significant design decisions, ensuring they meet project standards.

• Lead, mentor, and develop design management teams, cultivating a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and professional growth.

• Provide expert strategic design advice and actionable recommendations to support client decision-making processes and project evolution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on process management and governance within design delivery. This includes establishing review processes, managing risks, and ensuring compliance, which are critical for large-scale, high-value projects. The requirement to "Chair design review meetings" and "Support client decision-making by providing strategic design advice" emphasizes the need for strong presentation and advisory skills, common in senior roles within Project Management Consultancies (PMCs) or client-side organizations managing complex capital programs.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Degree qualified in Architecture, Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.

Experience: A minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience, with a significant tenure in a senior design leadership position within a developer, PMC, consultancy, or client organization. Demonstrated success in delivering major luxury residential, hospitality, mixed-use, large-scale estate developments, cultural landmarks, or similar high-profile projects.

Required Skills:

• Extensive experience in a senior design leadership role, overseeing complex projects from inception to completion.

• Proven track record in delivering major luxury residential, hospitality, mixed-use, estate, cultural, or landmark developments.

• Profound understanding of design management principles, design assurance protocols, and technical governance frameworks.

• Expertise in project delivery methodologies and best practices for capital programs.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage large, multidisciplinary consultant teams across various project phases.

• Exceptional stakeholder management and executive-level communication skills, with a proven ability to influence and engage diverse audiences.

• Strong commercial acumen, with a solid grasp of programme management, procurement processes, construction methodologies, and operational requirements.

• Adept at challenging the status quo, influencing design outcomes, and driving consensus while fostering positive stakeholder relationships. Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience working on projects within the Middle East region.

• Familiarity with sustainability standards and their integration into design.

• Experience with advanced design visualization and BIM (Building Information Modeling) technologies.

• Knowledge of contract administration and dispute resolution within design contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements clearly indicate a need for a seasoned professional with a deep understanding of the entire project lifecycle, particularly from a design control and leadership perspective. The emphasis on "developer, PMC, consultancy, or client organisation" experience suggests that candidates who have operated within these specific environments will have a distinct advantage, as they understand the nuances of client representation, program management, and consultant oversight. The preference for Middle East experience is a strong indicator of the project's location and the client's potential familiarity with regional practices and regulations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 significant projects that demonstrate leadership in design strategy and execution for large-scale developments (luxury residential, hospitality, mixed-use, landmark projects).

• Provide clear evidence of your role in establishing and implementing design governance, review, and approval processes, including examples of how you managed deviations or challenges.

• Illustrate your experience in leading and coordinating multidisciplinary design teams, with examples of successful integration and problem-solving.

• Include case studies that highlight your ability to balance design excellence with commercial, operational, sustainability, and technical constraints, demonstrating strategic decision-making.

• Present documentation or examples of your involvement in design risk management and the resolution of critical design interfaces or technical challenges. Process Documentation:

• Examples of design management plans, design execution strategies, or master planning documents you have developed or significantly contributed to.

• Documentation of design review methodologies, checklists, or reports that exemplify your approach to quality assurance and compliance.

• Case studies detailing how you have managed consultant performance, ensured design integration, and facilitated effective cross-disciplinary collaboration.

• Evidence of your contribution to procurement strategies, including consultant selection criteria and tender evaluation processes from a design perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role of this seniority, a portfolio is crucial. It should not just list projects but demonstrate the candidate's strategic thinking, process management, and leadership impact. The focus should be on how they managed the design process, not just participated in it. This means showing concrete examples of governance, risk mitigation, and stakeholder engagement in a design context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the senior nature of this role, the location in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the prestige of the project, a competitive compensation package is expected. Based on industry benchmarks for Associate Director-level positions in construction and PMC roles in the Middle East, the estimated annual base salary range would be between SAR 550,000 to SAR 850,000 (approximately USD 147,000 to USD 227,000). This range is indicative and subject to negotiation based on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and proven track record.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage for the employee and dependents.

• Relocation assistance and support for expatriate hires.

• Annual leave and public holidays as per Saudi labor law.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses tied to project milestones and company profitability.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and continuous learning.

• Inclusion in a supportive and diverse working environment that champions well-being.

• Flexible working options, including hybrid arrangements, may be discussed where feasible.

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this on-site role are typically 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. However, given the demands of a major development program, some flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines and critical milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on research of senior construction/PMC roles in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, considering factors like the "Associate Design Director" title, the project's scale ("landmark programme," "premium buildings"), and typical compensation structures in the region for experienced professionals. Benefits are standard for such roles in the GCC, with a focus on relocation and health. The mention of flexible working is noted, though the role is explicitly "On-site."

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Construction & Consultancy. Mace operates at the intersection of construction expertise and consultancy services, aiming to unlock potential in projects and people. They are involved in delivering complex, high-value developments worldwide.

Company Size: Mace is a global company with a significant workforce, indicating a structured corporate environment with established processes and a broad network of expertise. This size suggests opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and access to diverse skill sets.

Founded: While the founding date is not provided, Mace has a well-established reputation in the industry, implying a history of successful project delivery and a commitment to long-term growth and client relationships.

Team Structure:

• The operations team likely comprises experienced professionals from various disciplines, including project management, design, engineering, construction, and commercial functions.

• Reporting lines will be structured, with the Associate Design Director reporting to the Project Director and leading multidisciplinary design teams, likely including design managers, architects, engineers, and specialists.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, requiring close liaison with project controls, commercial teams, procurement, construction management, and client representatives to ensure integrated project delivery. Methodology:

• Mace emphasizes a data-driven approach to project management and delivery, leveraging analytics to inform decision-making and optimize outcomes.

• Workflow planning and optimization are central to their consultancy services, focusing on efficiency, risk mitigation, and value creation for clients.

• Automation and efficiency practices are likely integrated into their project management systems and processes to streamline operations and enhance project performance.

Company Website: https://www.mace.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Mace's dual identity as a construction firm and consultancy means their culture likely blends practical execution with strategic advisory. The emphasis on "unlocking potential" and "redefining boundaries" suggests an innovative and forward-thinking environment. The core values (Safety, Client Focus, Integrity, Create Opportunity) provide a strong framework for understanding their operational ethos and how they expect employees to behave and contribute.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a senior leadership level, specifically within the design management or project management consultancy domain of operations. It signifies a transition from individual technical contribution to strategic oversight and team leadership for major capital programs. The "Associate Director" title implies a significant level of responsibility, autonomy, and influence within the project structure, often serving as a key decision-maker or advisor.

Reporting Structure: The Associate Design Director reports directly to the Project Director, indicating a high level of visibility and direct impact on project outcomes. This structure suggests a close working relationship with senior project leadership and a direct line of communication for strategic design matters.

Operations Impact: The operations impact of this role is substantial. By providing strategic design leadership and governance, the Associate Design Director directly influences the project's ultimate quality, functionality, cost-effectiveness, and adherence to the client's vision. Effective design management is critical to mitigating risks, ensuring constructability, and delivering a successful, high-value asset, thereby directly contributing to the client's strategic objectives and Mace's reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to progress to Design Director or a more senior Project Director role on larger or more complex programs, potentially leading larger teams or broader project portfolios.

• Specialization & Expertise: Deepen expertise in specific development sectors (e.g., luxury hospitality, high-end residential) or in specialized areas of design management, such as sustainable design integration or advanced digital construction technologies.

• Client Relationship Management: Develop enhanced capabilities in client advisory and strategic consultation, building long-term relationships and expanding Mace's service offering within the client organization.

• Global Mobility: Opportunities to leverage experience and expertise on international projects within Mace's global network.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Associate Director" title is a critical indicator of career progression. It signifies a move towards strategic leadership, where the focus shifts from managing tasks to shaping strategy and developing talent. The reporting structure to a Project Director reinforces this strategic positioning. Growth opportunities are framed around expanding leadership scope, deepening specialized knowledge, and enhancing client advisory skills, all typical for senior roles in the construction and consultancy sectors.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, implying a primary work location within a project office or a dedicated Mace office in Riyadh. The environment is expected to be professional, collaborative, and geared towards supporting large-scale project delivery.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This requires the candidate to be present in the city to manage project-related activities, attend site visits, and engage directly with project teams and stakeholders. Access to project sites and client offices will be integral to the daily workflow.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely facilitate collaboration among a multidisciplinary team, with access to meeting rooms, project planning areas, and potentially shared office spaces.

• Essential operations tools and technology, including project management software, communication platforms, and potentially design-specific software (e.g., BIM viewers), will be available to support daily tasks and project coordination.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with project leadership, design consultants, and client representatives will be frequent, fostering a dynamic and communicative work environment.

Work Schedule: The primary work schedule will be 40 hours per week, typically Monday to Friday. However, the nature of major project delivery often necessitates flexibility to attend critical meetings, respond to urgent issues, or ensure timely progress on key milestones, especially given the project's high-profile status.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" designation is key. It means the candidate must be physically present in Riyadh. The description implies a professional, project-focused environment where collaboration and direct interaction are paramount, typical for major construction program management. The flexibility mentioned in the general company description suggests that while a standard schedule exists, project needs will take precedence.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess alignment with the core requirements, focusing on senior design leadership experience and project scale.

• First Interview: Likely with a hiring manager or senior member of the project leadership team (e.g., Project Director), focusing on your experience, leadership style, and strategic approach to design management. Be prepared to discuss your portfolio highlights.

• Technical/Case Study Assessment: This may involve a presentation of a past project from your portfolio, or a hypothetical scenario where you need to outline your approach to a specific design challenge, governance issue, or stakeholder conflict. Focus on your strategic thinking, process, and problem-solving methodology.

• Final Interview: With senior Mace leadership or key client representatives. This stage assesses cultural fit, executive presence, and your overall strategic vision for contributing to the program.

• Reference Checks: Standard professional and employment reference checks will be conducted.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best exemplify your leadership in large-scale, high-value developments (luxury residential, hospitality, mixed-use, landmark projects). Clearly define your specific role and contributions.

• Demonstrate Process & Governance: Showcase examples of how you established and managed design governance, review processes, and quality assurance. Use flowcharts or documented procedures if available.

• Highlight Leadership & Collaboration: Provide evidence of how you led multidisciplinary teams, managed consultant performance, and facilitated effective cross-functional collaboration.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, present metrics or outcomes demonstrating how your design leadership contributed to project success (e.g., cost savings, schedule adherence, enhanced functionality, client satisfaction).

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize experience relevant to the Saudi Arabian context or similar high-profile projects in the region if applicable.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Strategy & Governance: Be ready to articulate your approach to developing a comprehensive design strategy for a complex program and how you would implement robust design governance.

• Stakeholder Management: Prepare scenarios and examples of how you've managed challenging stakeholders, negotiated design compromises, and influenced executive decisions.

• Risk & Interface Management: Outline your methodology for identifying and mitigating design risks and managing complex technical interfaces between different project elements or disciplines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only technical expertise but also leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills. The portfolio is a critical tool for demonstrating experience, so candidates must be prepared to present it compellingly, focusing on process, governance, and impact. Case studies and scenario-based questions will likely probe their ability to apply their experience to real-world project challenges.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Project Management Software: Proficiency in industry-standard platforms (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera P6) for program scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking.

• Collaboration Platforms: Experience with tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar for team communication, document sharing, and virtual meeting facilitation.

• Design & BIM Software: Familiarity with the output and integration of BIM (Building Information Modeling) platforms (e.g., Revit, Navisworks) for design review, clash detection, and coordination. While not necessarily a user, understanding its application and output is key.

• Document Management Systems: Experience with platforms like SharePoint, Aconex, or similar for managing project documentation, ensuring version control, and facilitating access for stakeholders.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Ability to interpret data from project reports, schedules, and financial systems to identify trends, risks, and opportunities. Familiarity with Excel for advanced data manipulation and analysis.

• Reporting Dashboards: Experience with creating or interpreting project dashboards (e.g., using Power BI, Tableau, or integrated PM software dashboards) to visualize project progress, key performance indicators (KPIs), and design status for senior stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not a direct sales role, understanding client relationship management principles is crucial. Familiarity with CRM concepts or systems used for tracking client interactions and project communications may be beneficial.

• Workflow Automation: Awareness of how workflow automation can streamline design review processes, approval cycles, and information dissemination within a large project environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for a senior design director in a large project environment is less about hands-on design software and more about project management, collaboration, and data analysis tools. The emphasis is on managing information, coordinating teams, and reporting progress effectively to senior stakeholders. Familiarity with BIM outputs is increasingly important for design governance and coordination.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Safety First - Going Home Safe and Well: A paramount value, expecting all team members to prioritize safety in all design and project decisions, fostering a culture of proactive safety awareness and responsibility.

• Client Focus - Deliver on Our Promise: A commitment to understanding and exceeding client expectations by owning the quality of design deliverables and strategic outcomes, building enduring client relationships.

• Integrity - Always Do the Right Thing: Upholding ethical standards in all dealings, ensuring compliance with regulations and influencing positive outcomes within the industry through honest and transparent practices.

• Create Opportunity - For Our People to Excel: Promoting a continuous improvement mindset, encouraging professional development, innovation, and empowering team members to achieve their full potential within the organization.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expectation of seamless collaboration with all project disciplines (engineering, construction, commercial, client) to ensure a unified approach to project delivery.

• Process Review Culture: An environment that encourages open feedback, constructive criticism, and continuous refinement of design and project management processes to enhance efficiency and outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that promotes the sharing of best practices, lessons learned, and technical expertise across teams and projects, fostering collective growth and innovation in design and project delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mace's stated values are directly applicable to this role. The Associate Design Director is expected to embody these values by championing safety in design, ensuring client satisfaction through high-quality deliverables, acting with integrity in all negotiations and decisions, and fostering a growth-oriented environment for their design teams. The collaboration style emphasizes a unified, feedback-driven approach essential for complex projects.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Competing Demands: Effectively managing the inherent tension between design vision, budget constraints, program timelines, and operational requirements to achieve optimal project outcomes.

• Navigating Complex Stakeholder Landscapes: Influencing and aligning diverse stakeholders with potentially conflicting interests and priorities, ensuring consensus on design decisions.

• Maintaining Design Integrity Amidst Change: Adapting design strategies and outputs to evolving project requirements or site conditions while preserving the core vision and quality standards.

• Driving Innovation in a Traditional Industry: Encouraging the adoption of new design technologies, sustainable practices, or construction methodologies within a potentially risk-averse project environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Leadership Programs: Access to internal or external training focused on strategic leadership, advanced program management, and negotiation skills.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Opportunities to attend leading international design and construction conferences and pursue relevant professional certifications to stay abreast of industry trends.

• Mentorship & Executive Coaching: Potential for mentorship from senior Mace leadership or access to executive coaching to refine leadership capabilities and strategic thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges listed are typical for senior roles in large-scale project management. They require a candidate who is not only technically proficient but also possesses strong soft skills, resilience, and strategic thinking to navigate complex project environments. The growth opportunities are geared towards further developing leadership and strategic capabilities, positioning the individual for even greater responsibility.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to developing a comprehensive design strategy for a multi-billion dollar development program. What are the key considerations and how would you ensure alignment with client objectives?" (Focus on strategic planning, stakeholder alignment, and process initiation.)

• "How do you establish and enforce design governance and quality assurance on a project with multiple consultant teams? Provide an example of a challenge you faced and how you resolved it." (Focus on process management, quality control, risk mitigation, and problem-solving.)

• "Outline your methodology for managing design risks and critical interfaces between different building systems or disciplines on a large, complex project. How do you ensure constructability and integration?" (Focus on technical governance, risk management, and interdisciplinary coordination.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do Mace's core values (Safety, Client Focus, Integrity, Create Opportunity) resonate with your own professional approach, and how would you embed them within your design team?" (Focus on cultural alignment and leadership demonstration.)

• "Describe your experience working with clients and senior stakeholders in the Middle East region. What are some key considerations for effective communication and relationship building in this context?" (Focus on regional awareness and stakeholder management.)

• "How do you foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within a design management team, especially when balancing established project requirements?" (Focus on leadership, team development, and driving change.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with an executive summary of your overall experience and key achievements. Then, present 2-3 detailed case studies, focusing on your leadership role, the strategic challenges, the processes you implemented, and the quantifiable outcomes.

• Highlight Process & Governance: For each case study, explicitly detail how you established design governance, managed reviews, and ensured quality. Use visual aids where possible to illustrate workflows or approval chains.

• Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement: Provide specific examples of how you communicated with clients, managed consultant teams, and resolved conflicts or secured buy-in for critical design decisions.

• Quantify Results: Wherever possible, present data points demonstrating the impact of your leadership, such as cost savings achieved through design optimization, schedule improvements due to proactive coordination, or enhanced operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, robust process management, and exceptional leadership. Candidates need to be ready to articulate their approach to complex challenges and provide concrete examples from their experience, particularly relating to design governance, stakeholder management, and balancing competing project demands. The portfolio presentation is a key opportunity to showcase this.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Associate Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Mace careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your CV and portfolio to specifically highlight your experience in leading large-scale, high-value development projects (luxury residential, hospitality, mixed-use, landmark estates) and your expertise in design governance, strategy, and multidisciplinary team management.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your senior leadership experience, quantifiable achievements, and relevant project types. Integrate keywords such as "Design Director," "Design Governance," "PMC," "Stakeholder Management," and "Project Delivery" naturally.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design leadership philosophy, your approach to process management, and your experience in stakeholder engagement. Prepare to walk through your portfolio with a focus on strategic decision-making and project impact.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Mace's global projects, their stated values, and their approach to consultancy and construction. Understand the context of major developments in Riyadh and Saudi Arabia.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.