Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager
Company: Mace
Location: Riyadh, Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia
Job Type: Full-time, Regular
Category: Construction & Project Management Operations
Date Posted: 2025-09-11T07:42:51
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and direct multidisciplinary design teams to achieve strategic project outcomes and meet key performance indicators (KPIs) for large-scale real estate developments.
• Manage and resolve complex client-facing design issues, ensuring robust stakeholder engagement and fostering strong, responsive communication channels.
• Implement and oversee design management systems and protocols to ensure adherence to legal, contractual, and statutory requirements across all project phases.
• Drive alignment of daily design activities with program, cost, quality, and sustainability goals, contributing to the overall success of the business unit's long-term strategy.
• Champion a safe, collaborative, and inclusive team environment that prioritizes well-being and continuous professional growth, leveraging Mace's centers of excellence for best practices and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a major program in Saudi Arabia, indicating a significant focus on large-scale, complex real estate and infrastructure projects. The "Design Manager" title, combined with responsibilities like directing design teams, managing client relationships, and implementing design management systems, strongly suggests a role that bridges technical design oversight with project management and operational execution. The emphasis on "strategic outcomes" and "project KPIs" places this role firmly within an operational framework, aiming to ensure design deliverables align with broader business objectives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Direct and guide design teams throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring the successful delivery of strategic outcomes and adherence to project KPIs in real estate developments.
• Effectively manage client interactions concerning design matters, fostering strong relationships and ensuring timely, responsive communication to address queries and concerns.
• Establish, implement, and maintain robust design management systems and protocols, ensuring compliance with all legal, contractual, and statutory obligations.
• Oversee and coordinate the daily activities of design resources, ensuring alignment with project timelines, budget constraints, quality standards, and sustainability objectives.
• Contribute to the development of long-term business unit strategies, focusing on sustainable growth and market positioning within the construction and consultancy sectors.
• Cultivate a positive, collaborative, and inclusive team environment that promotes employee well-being, professional development, and high performance.
• Actively leverage Mace's internal knowledge hubs and centers of excellence to integrate best practices and drive innovation in design processes and project delivery.
• Advocate for and enforce safety and compliance, ensuring adherence to local Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) regulations and Mace's overarching Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) framework across all design activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a blend of technical leadership and operational management. The focus on "strategic outcomes," "project KPIs," "design management systems," and "alignment with program, cost, quality, and sustainability goals" highlights the operational nature of this role. It requires not just design oversight but also the management of processes, teams, and client expectations to ensure efficient and effective project delivery. The mention of leveraging "centers of excellence" and "knowledge hub" points to an operational expectation of continuous improvement and best practice adoption.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A degree in Architecture or a related design discipline is required.
• Professional membership with a recognized industry body such as RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects), MICE (Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers), CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers), CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building), RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), or CIAT (Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists), or equivalent demonstrable professional development and experience.

Experience:

• Proven track record of delivering complex real estate projects, demonstrating strong consultancy and construction expertise.
• Significant experience in managing design processes, teams, and client relationships within large-scale development programs.

Required Skills:

• Design Management: Expertise in managing the entire design process from concept to completion for complex projects.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Proven ability to effectively engage with and manage relationships with diverse stakeholders, including clients, design teams, and regulatory bodies.
• Building Safety Legislation & Compliance: In-depth knowledge of building safety legislation, relevant standards, contractual frameworks (appointments), and HSE regulations.
• Project Delivery: Demonstrated success in delivering complex real estate projects, aligning with program, cost, and quality objectives.
• Client Relationship Management: Strong skills in managing client expectations, communication, and resolving design-related issues.
• Team Leadership: Ability to direct, motivate, and foster a collaborative environment for design teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Sustainability & Carbon Impact: Understanding of sustainability principles and the impact of carbon emissions on project delivery.
• Strategic Planning: Experience in contributing to long-term business unit strategy development.
• Innovation Application: Aptitude for leveraging best practices and driving innovation through Mace's knowledge resources.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Experience working effectively with construction, commercial, and other project functions.
• Arabic Language Proficiency: While not explicitly stated, proficiency in Arabic would be highly beneficial for client and stakeholder interactions in Riyadh.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of technical design acumen and robust management capabilities. The inclusion of professional memberships and specific knowledge areas like "building safety legislation," "contracts," and "HSE regulations" points to a need for operational adherence to industry standards and legal frameworks. The "proven experience delivering complex real estate projects" with "strong consultancy and construction expertise" highlights the practical, execution-oriented nature of the role, aligning with operations management principles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case studies demonstrating successful management of complex real estate design projects from inception to completion.
• Evidence of implementing and managing design management systems and protocols to ensure compliance and efficiency.
• Examples showcasing effective stakeholder engagement and client relationship management in a project context.
• Documentation or descriptions of how project KPIs and strategic outcomes were achieved through design leadership.
• Demonstrations of how sustainability and carbon considerations were integrated into design processes.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase experience in developing and implementing design delivery workflows that align with program, cost, quality, and safety objectives.
• Provide examples of how design risk was managed and mitigated throughout the project lifecycle.
• Illustrate a systematic approach to coordinating multidisciplinary design teams and ensuring seamless integration of their contributions.
• Detail methodologies used for quality assurance and quality control within the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Manager role, a portfolio is crucial to demonstrate practical application of skills. The emphasis here is on showcasing the management of design processes and systems, not just the design output itself. This includes evidence of implementing operational controls (systems, protocols), managing project constraints (program, cost, quality), and achieving strategic objectives, which are core to an operations-focused role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the location (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), the complexity of the project (one of the largest programs in KSA), and the experience level (5-10 years), a competitive salary is expected. Based on industry benchmarks for senior design management roles in major construction and consultancy firms in the Middle East, the estimated annual salary range would likely be between SAR 350,000 to SAR 600,000 (approximately USD 93,000 to USD 160,000), depending on specific experience, qualifications, and the exact scope of responsibilities.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage for employee and dependents.
• Relocation assistance and support for obtaining a Saudi Arabian visa.
• Annual leave and public holidays in accordance with Saudi labor law.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and certifications.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses.
• Contribution to a retirement or end-of-service benefit scheme.
• Access to Mace's global network and resources.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are expected to be 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role in Saudi Arabia, likely Monday to Friday. However, given the nature of large-scale projects and client demands, flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines and critical milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on the role's seniority, the significant scale and strategic importance of the project in Riyadh, and typical compensation packages for similar roles in the GCC region. The benefits listed are standard for international assignments in Saudi Arabia, with particular emphasis on relocation and visa support, which are critical operational considerations for expatriate hires.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Construction, Consultancy, Project Management, Real Estate Development. Mace operates at the intersection of these fields, providing integrated services. Company Size: Mace is a global company, typically employing thousands of individuals worldwide. This specific project in Saudi Arabia likely involves a large, dedicated team. Founded: Mace was founded in 1990. Its history reflects growth from a construction company to a global consultancy, emphasizing its strategic evolution and operational depth.

Team Structure:

• The Design Manager will likely lead a team of design professionals, potentially including architects, engineers, urban planners, and specialist consultants.
• This team will report through a project management structure, likely to a Project Director or Programme Director.
• Collaboration will be extensive, involving cross-functional teams such as project controls, commercial/procurement, construction delivery, HSE, and client representatives.

Methodology:

• Mace emphasizes a client-centric approach, focusing on delivering strategic outcomes and building long-term relationships.
• The company promotes a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and the application of best practices, often drawing from its global knowledge base and centers of excellence.
• Data-driven decision-making and rigorous project controls are expected, ensuring alignment with program, cost, quality, and sustainability goals.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Mace's global presence and its values is key. The company's stated values ("Safety first," "Client focus," "Integrity," "Create opportunity") are operational principles that guide behavior and decision-making. The project's scale in Saudi Arabia suggests a dynamic, high-stakes environment where adherence to these values is critical for operational success and client satisfaction.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior management position within the operations of a major project. It sits at the intersection of technical design leadership and project execution, requiring significant experience and strategic thinking. The Design Manager is responsible for the operational success of the design function within the project. Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will report to a senior project leader, such as a Project Director or Programme Director. They will, in turn, manage a team of design professionals. This structure emphasizes accountability and clear lines of communication within the project's operational hierarchy. Operations Impact: The Design Manager has a direct impact on project success by ensuring that design deliverables meet client requirements, adhere to budget and schedule, and comply with all regulations. Their leadership influences the quality, efficiency, and overall value proposition of the project's built assets.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance to roles such as Head of Design, Technical Director, or Project Director on larger, more complex programs.
• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like sustainable design, digital construction, or urban planning within large-scale developments.
• Global Mobility: Possibility of transferring to other Mace projects globally, leveraging acquired experience in diverse international markets.
• Strategic Contribution: Involvement in shaping future business strategies and operational approaches for Mace in the region.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a significant step in a career focused on operations management within the built environment. It offers a clear path for progression into broader project leadership or specialized technical management roles, emphasizing the operational impact and strategic contribution expected from senior team members.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site in Riyadh, likely within a dedicated project office or a client's facility. This environment is typically fast-paced and collaborative, with a strong focus on project delivery. Office Location(s): Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The specific project site will dictate the exact location within the city. Workspace Context:

• Expect a dynamic, collaborative workspace where interaction with diverse project teams (construction, commercial, client) is constant.
• Access to project management software, design collaboration tools, and communication platforms will be standard.
• The environment will demand a proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to maintaining project momentum.
• Opportunities for direct engagement with senior stakeholders and clients will be frequent. Work Schedule: While the standard is 40 hours per week, project demands may necessitate working beyond these hours, including evenings or weekends, especially during critical design phases or milestone achievements. Flexibility and commitment are key operational requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role in Riyadh implies a hands-on, integrated work environment. The emphasis on collaboration and project momentum suggests that the workspace will be geared towards efficient communication and rapid decision-making, crucial for operational success in a large-scale project.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruitment team will review applications for basic qualifications and fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the hiring manager to assess technical expertise, leadership style, and alignment with project needs. Expect questions focused on past project experiences, design management methodologies, and client handling.
• Technical Assessment/Case Study: Candidates may be asked to present a portfolio or work through a scenario related to design management challenges, problem-solving, or strategic planning for a complex project. This assesses practical application of skills and operational thinking.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with key project stakeholders or team members to evaluate collaboration skills, cultural fit, and ability to integrate into the existing project team.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior executive to confirm suitability and discuss broader strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or key responsibility area. Clearly label each section.
• Showcase Impact: For each project, highlight your specific role, the challenges faced, the solutions implemented, and the tangible results achieved (e.g., improved efficiency, cost savings, successful compliance, client satisfaction). Quantify achievements where possible.
• Process Focus: Emphasize your process management skills – how you implemented design systems, managed teams, mitigated risks, and ensured compliance. Use diagrams or flowcharts if helpful.
• Client Management: Include examples of how you managed client expectations, communicated effectively, and resolved design-related conflicts.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to walk through your portfolio efficiently, focusing on the most relevant examples for this specific Design Manager role in Riyadh.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Design Management Scenarios: Prepare for questions about managing design teams, handling design changes, coordinating multiple disciplines, ensuring quality, and meeting tight deadlines.
• Client Interaction Scenarios: Think about how you would address difficult client feedback, manage scope creep, or negotiate design solutions.
• Regulatory Compliance: Be ready to discuss your understanding of building codes, safety regulations, and contractual obligations relevant to large construction projects.
• Sustainability Integration: Prepare to discuss how you incorporate sustainability principles and manage carbon impact within design processes.
• Mace Values: Understand Mace's core values and be prepared to articulate how your approach aligns with them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a role like this is designed to assess not only technical competence but also operational leadership and strategic thinking. Preparing a portfolio that clearly demonstrates process management, problem-solving, and impact is critical. Candidates should tailor their examples to the scale and context of major infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Proficiency with industry-standard CAD and BIM software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks) is essential for understanding and managing design outputs.
• Project Management Software: Experience with platforms like Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, or similar for scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking.
• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or specialized project collaboration software for team communication and document sharing.
• Document Management Systems: Experience with systems for organizing, storing, and retrieving project documentation (e.g., SharePoint, Aconex).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Ability to interpret project data related to design progress, cost, quality, and compliance. Familiarity with Excel for data analysis and reporting.
• Reporting Dashboards: Experience creating or utilizing dashboards (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) to visualize project status and KPIs for stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how design interfaces with client relationship management and commercial processes is beneficial.
• Familiarity with workflow automation tools or principles that can streamline design review or approval processes.
• Contract Management Systems: Understanding of systems used to manage project contracts and appointments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for a Design Manager in a large project environment is focused on enabling efficient design collaboration, project planning, and performance monitoring. While not directly hands-on with all tools, a strong understanding of their application in managing design operations and integrating with broader project management systems is critical.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Safety First: A non-negotiable commitment to ensuring the well-being of the team and adhering to all safety protocols in design and project execution.
• Client Focus: Dedication to delivering on promises, maintaining high-quality design outputs, and building enduring client relationships through responsive and effective communication.
• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards, ensuring compliance with all regulations, and influencing positive outcomes within the project and the broader industry.
• Create Opportunity: Fostering a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging skill development, and empowering team members to excel and contribute to innovation.
• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and the sharing of knowledge and best practices across all project functions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively engaging with construction, commercial, planning, and HSE teams to ensure design solutions are practical, cost-effective, and safely implementable.
• Proactive Communication: Maintaining open and transparent communication channels with all stakeholders, addressing issues promptly and collaboratively.
• Feedback-Oriented: Encouraging a culture where feedback on design processes and outputs is welcomed and used for continuous improvement.
• Knowledge Sharing: Participating in and promoting the sharing of lessons learned and best practices across the project team and within Mace's wider network.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values are integral to its operational philosophy. For a Design Manager, embodying these values means ensuring safety in design recommendations, prioritizing client needs in design decisions, acting with integrity in contractual and compliance matters, and fostering a team environment that supports growth and collaboration. This cultural alignment is crucial for operational success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Balancing the diverse and sometimes conflicting demands of clients, regulatory bodies, and internal project teams on a large-scale project.
• Design Coordination Complexity: Ensuring seamless integration of multiple design disciplines (architecture, structural, MEP, landscape, etc.) for a complex mixed-use development.
• Adherence to Tight Deadlines: Delivering high-quality design outputs within stringent program timelines, common in major projects.
• Navigating Local Regulations: Understanding and applying Saudi Arabian building codes, safety standards, and permitting processes effectively.
• Sustainability Integration: Effectively embedding sustainability and carbon reduction strategies into the design from the outset.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Management Techniques: Gaining experience with cutting-edge project management and design coordination methodologies.
• Large-Scale Project Exposure: Deepening understanding of the operational complexities and strategic planning required for mega-projects.
• International Project Experience: Developing skills in managing projects within a different cultural and regulatory context.
• Professional Certifications: Potential to pursue advanced certifications relevant to project management or specialized design fields.
• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced senior leaders within Mace's global organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of large, complex construction projects and offer significant opportunities for professional development. Successfully navigating these challenges will enhance a candidate's operational expertise and career trajectory within the construction and project management industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to managing a design team on a project of similar scale and complexity to this Saudi program. How do you ensure alignment with strategic objectives and project KPIs?" (Focus on leadership, process, and outcome orientation).
• "Walk me through a time you had to resolve a significant design issue that involved multiple stakeholders with competing interests. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Demonstrate problem-solving, negotiation, and client management skills).
• "How do you ensure compliance with building safety legislation and HSE regulations throughout the design process for a major development?" (Highlight knowledge of regulatory frameworks and operational control).
• "Discuss your experience with integrating sustainability and carbon impact considerations into project design. What methodologies have you used?" (Showcase understanding of modern project requirements and strategic planning).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do Mace's values (Safety first, Client focus, Integrity, Create opportunity) resonate with your professional approach, and how would you uphold them in your role as Design Manager?" (Prepare examples aligning your experience with their values).
• "How do you foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment, particularly in a diverse, international project setting?" (Focus on team dynamics and cultural sensitivity).
• "What is your understanding of the key operational challenges in managing design for mega-projects in the Middle East?" (Showcase industry awareness and strategic foresight).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative: Frame your portfolio as a story of successful design management, highlighting challenges, your strategic response, and the resulting impact.
• Quantify: Use data and metrics wherever possible to demonstrate achievements (e.g., percentage of on-time design submissions, budget adherence for design packages, client satisfaction scores).
• Process Visuals: Include diagrams or flowcharts to illustrate your design management processes, team coordination methods, and compliance checks.
• Client Focus: Emphasize how your design management contributed to client satisfaction and relationship building.
• Conciseness & Relevance: Be prepared to quickly identify and present the most relevant examples that directly address the requirements of this specific role in Riyadh.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just technical design knowledge, but also strong operational management capabilities, strategic thinking, and cultural alignment with Mace's values. Candidates should be ready to provide specific, evidence-based examples from their past experience.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Mace careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight experience with large-scale real estate developments, design management systems, stakeholder engagement, and compliance with building regulations, particularly in an international context. Showcase projects relevant to mixed-use developments and infrastructure.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 5-10 years of relevant experience, emphasizing achievements and responsibilities that align with the core duties listed, such as directing design teams, managing client issues, and implementing design protocols. Use keywords from the job description naturally.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Prepare specific examples related to design leadership, problem-solving, and client management. Be ready to discuss your understanding of the Saudi Arabian construction market and regulatory environment.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Mace's global projects, values, and strategic objectives. Understand the broader context of the program in Saudi Arabia and how this role contributes to its success.

⚠️ 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.