Design Manager - Landscape and Irrigation

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager - Landscape and Irrigation

Company: WSP

Location: Riyadh, Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Design Management / Operations (Infrastructure & Development)

Date Posted: August 14, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic planning and execution of landscape and irrigation design for large-scale developments, ensuring high-quality public realm and open space environments.

• Manage a diverse portfolio of projects, overseeing the entire design lifecycle from concept to delivery, with a focus on operational efficiency and long-term sustainability.

• Collaborate with global teams of architects, urban planners, engineers, and construction professionals to integrate landscape and irrigation solutions seamlessly into complex projects.

• Drive innovation in sustainable landscape design and water management practices, aligning with WSP's commitment to environmental stewardship and operational excellence.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Design Manager," the responsibilities described, particularly managing large-scale developments and ensuring delivery of public realm environments, indicate a role with significant operational oversight and project lifecycle management, aligning it with operations-focused roles in the infrastructure and development sectors. The emphasis on "delivery" and "portfolio management" suggests a need for strong process management and execution skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the comprehensive planning, design development, and implementation of landscape architecture and irrigation systems for major development projects.

• Manage and mentor a design team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, sustainable, and contextually appropriate landscape and public realm solutions.

• Develop and implement robust project management processes for landscape and irrigation design deliverables, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (e.g., urban planning, architecture, engineering) to ensure integrated design solutions and effective project coordination.

• Conduct site analysis, feasibility studies, and conceptual designs for landscape and irrigation projects, considering environmental factors, user experience, and operational maintenance.

• Review and approve design submissions, ensuring compliance with project specifications, local regulations, and WSP's global design standards.

• Manage client and stakeholder relationships, presenting design concepts, progress updates, and addressing concerns related to landscape and irrigation aspects of projects.

• Drive the integration of sustainable design principles, including water-efficient irrigation techniques, native planting strategies, and ecological restoration.

• Develop and refine standard operating procedures (SOPs) for landscape and irrigation design processes to enhance efficiency and consistency across projects.

• Contribute to the development of technical specifications, tender documents, and construction administration support for landscape and irrigation elements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for strong project delivery and process management capabilities, extending beyond pure design to encompass operational aspects of project execution and team leadership within a large development context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture or a closely related discipline.

Experience: Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in landscape design, with a significant portion focused on large-scale development projects and project delivery.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in Landscape Architecture principles and practices, including site planning, grading, planting design, and hardscape design.

• In-depth knowledge of Irrigation Systems design, including water management, distribution networks, and smart irrigation technologies.

• Demonstrated experience in managing the full lifecycle of large-scale development projects, from conceptualization through to construction administration and handover.

• Strong understanding of sustainable landscape design principles, environmental regulations, and water conservation strategies.

• Proficiency in industry-standard design software, such as AutoCAD, Revit (BIM), Adobe Creative Suite, and specialized landscape design software (e.g., Lumion, SketchUp).

• Excellent project management skills, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation, and risk management.

• Strong leadership and team management abilities, with experience in mentoring and guiding design teams.

• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders. Preferred Skills:

• Master's degree in Landscape Architecture or a related field.

• Professional Landscape Architect (PLA) or equivalent international certification.

• Experience with BIM (Building Information Modeling) workflows for landscape and infrastructure projects.

• Knowledge of urban planning principles and their integration with landscape design.

• Familiarity with Middle Eastern design standards, regulations, and climatic conditions.

• Experience in managing design consultants and contractors on complex infrastructure projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 15+ years of experience and leadership in managing large-scale projects suggests a senior-level role where strategic thinking, process optimization, and operational oversight are as critical as design expertise. The preference for BIM and regional knowledge further refines the operational execution capabilities expected.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 large-scale development projects demonstrating comprehensive landscape and irrigation design expertise from concept to completion.

• Include detailed case studies highlighting your role in project delivery, team leadership, and stakeholder management.

• Present examples of innovative irrigation system designs that emphasize water efficiency and operational sustainability.

• Demonstrate proficiency in design documentation, including master plans, detailed design drawings, specifications, and construction administration reports.

• Provide evidence of successful integration of landscape and irrigation strategies within broader urban development frameworks. Process Documentation:

• Examples of developed or refined design workflows and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for landscape and irrigation projects.

• Documentation illustrating your approach to project planning, resource allocation, and risk mitigation for complex design initiatives.

• Case studies detailing how you have managed design reviews, ensured quality control, and facilitated cross-functional collaboration.

• Evidence of how you have incorporated feedback loops and lessons learned into design processes for continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Manager role with operational responsibilities, a portfolio should not only showcase design quality but also demonstrate the ability to manage processes, teams, and project delivery efficiently and effectively, with a focus on measurable outcomes and operational improvements.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the role's seniority, location (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), and the extensive experience required (15+ years), a competitive salary is expected. Based on market research for similar Design Manager roles in major Middle Eastern cities, the estimated annual salary range for this position would be SAR 350,000 - SAR 600,000 (approximately USD 93,000 - USD 160,000). This range is influenced by the specific project scale, WSP's compensation structure, and the candidate's qualifications and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance package for employee and dependents.

• Relocation assistance and support for expatriate hires.

• Generous annual leave allowance and public holidays.

• Professional development opportunities, including training, workshops, and conference attendance.

• Contribution to a retirement or end-of-service benefits scheme as per Saudi labor law.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and project-specific incentives.

• Access to WSP's global network of professionals and resources.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with potential for occasional overtime to meet project deadlines. Flexibility may be offered based on project needs and team coordination, aligning with the on-site work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on current market data for senior design and management roles in Saudi Arabia, considering the cost of living and industry benchmarks for international engineering and design consultancies like WSP. Benefits are typical for expatriate roles in the region.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering, Construction, and Design Services. WSP is a global leader in the built environment, involved in planning, designing, and delivering complex infrastructure and development projects worldwide.

Company Size: WSP is a large, publicly traded company with over 60,000 employees globally, operating across numerous sectors. This scale offers extensive resources, diverse project opportunities, and a structured corporate environment.

Founded: WSP was founded in 1880, bringing over a century of experience and a legacy of innovation and reliability in engineering and design.

Team Structure:

• The Design Manager will likely be part of a larger project management or design delivery team, potentially within WSP's Middle East operations.

• They will manage a dedicated team of landscape architects and irrigation specialists, reporting to a senior project director or a regional head of design.

• Collaboration will be extensive with multidisciplinary design teams, project managers, clients, and external consultants. Methodology:

• WSP emphasizes a data-driven, client-focused approach to project delivery, leveraging advanced digital tools and collaborative platforms.

• The company promotes a culture of innovation, sustainability, and technical excellence, encouraging continuous learning and best practice sharing.

• Project execution often involves rigorous stage-gate reviews, quality assurance protocols, and a strong focus on health, safety, and environmental performance.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: WSP's global presence and extensive project portfolio suggest a professional, results-oriented culture that values technical expertise, collaboration, and ethical conduct. The scale implies structured processes and opportunities for career development within a well-established organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior management position within the design and project delivery function, specifically focused on landscape and irrigation. It is a leadership role that requires strategic oversight, team management, and significant responsibility for project outcomes. In terms of operations, it's a critical point where design intent is translated into executable plans, impacting project feasibility, operational costs (maintenance), and long-term value.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will report to a Project Director or a senior executive overseeing design for the region or specific large-scale developments. They will directly manage a team of landscape architects and irrigation designers, and indirectly influence construction and maintenance teams through clear design documentation and execution oversight.

Operations Impact: The role has a substantial impact on the operational success of large developments by ensuring that public realm, landscape, and irrigation systems are designed for longevity, ease of maintenance, water efficiency, and optimal user experience. Effective design management at this level directly contributes to project profitability, client satisfaction, and WSP's reputation for delivering high-quality, sustainable environments.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to Project Director or Head of Design roles within WSP's Middle East or global operations.

• Specialization in specific areas of sustainable design, urban regeneration, or complex infrastructure projects.

• Opportunities to lead major international bids and proposals, contributing to WSP's business development.

• Development of leadership skills through managing larger teams and more complex project portfolios.

• Potential to contribute to WSP's global technical communities of practice, influencing design standards and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is positioned as a key operational leader within the design discipline, with clear pathways for career progression into broader project leadership or specialized technical leadership roles, reflecting WSP's commitment to employee development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site in Riyadh, indicating a professional office environment typical of a large engineering and design consultancy. This environment is expected to be collaborative, with dedicated workspaces for design teams.

Office Location(s): The specific address provided is "ROSHN Front - King Khalid International Airport, Unit No.1 7851, 3532, 13413, Riyadh." This suggests a modern, well-equipped office facility within a significant development hub.

Workspace Context:

• Access to state-of-the-art design software and hardware necessary for landscape and irrigation design.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with multidisciplinary project teams, fostering a collaborative and integrated design process.

• A professional setting conducive to client meetings, design reviews, and strategic planning sessions.

• Potential for site visits to project locations to oversee progress and ensure design intent is realized on the ground.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule will be on-site, typically Monday to Friday, with core hours supporting team collaboration and client engagement. While the role is on-site, a degree of flexibility may be available for specific needs, but the primary expectation is consistent presence and contribution to the Riyadh office and project teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a professional office setting is typical for roles that demand significant team collaboration, client interaction, and direct oversight of design processes and project execution.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Technical Interview: Discussion focused on landscape architecture, irrigation systems, sustainable design, and project delivery methodologies. Expect questions on specific projects, design challenges, and problem-solving approaches.

• Managerial/Leadership Interview: Evaluation of leadership style, team management capabilities, stakeholder engagement, and strategic thinking.

• Case Study/Presentation: Candidates may be asked to present a selected project from their portfolio, detailing their role, design decisions, challenges, and outcomes, with a focus on operational delivery and impact.

• Final Interview: Conversation with senior leadership to assess cultural fit, long-term vision, and overall suitability for WSP.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Large-Scale Projects: Emphasize projects that demonstrate experience managing complexity, scope, and diverse teams.

• Showcase Operational Impact: For each project, clearly articulate your specific contributions to project delivery, process efficiency, risk mitigation, and stakeholder satisfaction.

• Detail Irrigation Expertise: Include specific examples of innovative, efficient, and maintainable irrigation system designs.

• Demonstrate Leadership: Use project examples to illustrate your ability to lead design teams, manage consultants, and collaborate effectively with other disciplines.

• Quantify Achievements: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs and management approaches (e.g., water savings, project delivery timelines met, budget adherence).

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach managing design conflicts between disciplines, ensuring integrated solutions.

• Prepare to articulate your strategy for implementing sustainable design practices and water conservation measures in a challenging climate.

• Think about how you would foster a collaborative and high-performing design team environment.

• Consider WSP's global presence and values; how would you align your approach with their commitment to sustainability and technical excellence?

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a senior role like this will likely be rigorous, focusing not only on technical design skills but also on project management, leadership, and the ability to deliver complex projects operationally.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CAD Software: AutoCAD (essential for 2D drafting and site plans), potentially AutoCAD Civil 3D for grading and earthworks.

• BIM Software: Revit (increasingly important for integrated design and clash detection), Navisworks for model coordination.

• 3D Modeling & Visualization: SketchUp, Lumion, Rhino, 3ds Max for concept development and client presentations.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator for graphic design, presentations, and document creation.

• Project Management Software: Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, or similar for scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking.

• Irrigation Design Software: Specialized tools like HydroPoint, Rain Bird's Nimbus, or similar for detailed irrigation system design and analysis.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Tools for analyzing water usage data and performance of irrigation systems.

• Reporting dashboards (potentially built in Excel, Power BI, or Tableau) for tracking project progress, budgets, and key performance indicators (KPIs). CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing a CRM, understanding how design data integrates with client management systems is beneficial.

• Automation within design workflows (e.g., script-based tasks in AutoCAD or Grasshopper for Rhino) can enhance efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in a range of design and project management tools is critical. The emphasis on BIM and specialized irrigation software highlights the technical demands of the role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence: A commitment to delivering high-quality, technically sound designs and project outcomes that meet or exceed client expectations.

• Sustainability: Integration of environmentally responsible practices, particularly in water management and landscape design, aligning with WSP's global strategy.

• Collaboration: Fostering a team-oriented environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and multidisciplinary input is actively sought and integrated.

• Innovation: Encouraging creative problem-solving and the adoption of new technologies and methodologies to enhance design and delivery processes.

• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards, transparency, and accountability in all professional dealings and project executions.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive and inclusive, encouraging open communication and feedback across all levels and disciplines.

• Emphasis on cross-functional teamwork to ensure seamless integration of landscape and irrigation designs with architectural, engineering, and urban planning elements.

• Regular design review meetings and workshops to facilitate knowledge sharing and problem-solving.

• Strong client-facing engagement to build trust and ensure design alignment with stakeholder needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: WSP's global standing implies a corporate culture that values professionalism, technical expertise, and a forward-thinking approach to development, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and collaborative delivery.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Integration Complexity: Ensuring seamless integration of landscape and irrigation designs within vast, complex, multi-disciplinary large-scale developments.

• Environmental Conditions: Designing for the specific climatic challenges of Riyadh, including extreme heat, water scarcity, and dust, requires innovative and robust solutions.

• Stakeholder Management: Navigating diverse stakeholder interests and ensuring consensus on design visions and operational requirements.

• Keeping Pace with Technology: Continuously updating knowledge and skills in rapidly evolving design software, BIM, and smart irrigation technologies.

• Sustainability Mandates: Meeting increasingly stringent sustainability targets and implementing truly impactful water-efficient practices in a resource-constrained environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Access to WSP's extensive internal training programs and global knowledge-sharing platforms.

• Opportunities to attend industry conferences, workshops, and specialized courses in landscape architecture, irrigation technology, and sustainable design.

• Mentorship from senior leaders within WSP's global network.

• Potential for involvement in research and development initiatives related to sustainable urban development and water management.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges typical of large-scale international projects, offering substantial opportunities for professional growth and impact in a dynamic market.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to managing the landscape and irrigation design for a large-scale mixed-use development from inception to completion, focusing on operational efficiency and sustainability."

• "How do you ensure effective collaboration between landscape architects, irrigation specialists, and other disciplines (e.g., structural engineers, architects) on complex projects?"

• "Walk us through a challenging project where you had to implement innovative water-saving irrigation strategies. What were the hurdles, and how did you overcome them?"

• "How do you stay current with best practices in sustainable landscape design and irrigation technology, and how have you applied this knowledge in your work?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about WSP's commitment to sustainability and innovation, and how do you see yourself contributing to these values in this role?"

• "How would you foster a culture of high performance and collaboration within your design team at WSP?"

• "What are your expectations regarding the work environment and team dynamics in a large international consultancy like WSP?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation by project, clearly defining your role, the project's scope and objectives, key design challenges, your specific solutions (especially for irrigation and sustainability), and the project's outcomes.

• Highlight Operations: For each project, specifically detail how your design decisions impacted operational efficiency, maintenance requirements, and long-term sustainability. Use case study format to show problem, solution, and result.

• Quantify Impact: Present data on water savings, operational cost reductions, or successful project delivery timelines where applicable.

• Visuals: Use high-quality renderings, plans, and site photos to illustrate your work effectively.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present concisely, focusing on the most impactful aspects of your experience and demonstrating how it aligns with the role's requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design acumen but also strong project management, leadership, and operational execution capabilities, backed by concrete examples from your portfolio.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager - Landscape and Irrigation position:

• Submit your application through the WSP careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight large-scale projects, showcasing your expertise in landscape architecture, irrigation systems, sustainable design, and successful project delivery. Emphasize your role in managing design processes and teams.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly details your extensive experience (15+ years), focusing on project management, team leadership, and achievements in delivering complex developments. Use keywords relevant to landscape architecture, irrigation, and design management.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design philosophy, project management methodologies, and leadership approach. Prepare specific examples from your portfolio that demonstrate problem-solving skills, operational efficiency, and stakeholder management.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with WSP's projects, sustainability initiatives, and corporate values, particularly those relevant to the Middle East region. Understand their approach to design and project delivery.

⚠️ 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.

---