Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager Company: Parsons Corporation Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Qiddiya) Job Type: Full-Time Category: Infrastructure Design & Management / GTM Operations Date Posted: September 23, 2025 Experience Level: Senior Level (10+ Years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead and orchestrate the cliff stabilization design process for a high-profile mega-project, ensuring seamless integration across multiple development districts.
• Manage complex inter-consultant and inter-district interfaces, proactively identifying and resolving design conflicts to maintain project coherence and efficiency.
• Oversee the technical integrity and timely delivery of all design packages, adhering to stringent engineering standards and stage-gate processes crucial for GTM success.
• Drive the coordination of specialist geotechnical and ground investigation consultants, ensuring all design deliverables meet project objectives and risk mitigation strategies.
• Champion the adoption and adherence to digital engineering and document control standards, facilitating efficient collaboration and data management throughout the design lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Design Manager," the core responsibilities and emphasis on coordinating multiple consultants, managing interfaces, and ensuring alignment with project-wide objectives strongly indicate a role that heavily overlaps with GTM (Go-To-Market) operations, specifically in project execution and cross-functional alignment. The focus on managing design scopes, technical briefs, and RFPs also aligns with operational strategy and vendor management within a large-scale development context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning and execution of cliff stabilization design activities, ensuring alignment with the overarching Qiddiya Cliff Stabilisation Roadmap and Stage Gate methodology.
• Proactively track and manage overlapping scopes of work between different development districts, implementing conflict resolution strategies to prevent duplication and ensure efficient resource allocation.
• Establish and meticulously maintain a comprehensive design register and milestone tracker, providing clear visibility into the progress of all design packages across the cliff stabilization program.
• Coordinate and consolidate inputs from specialist consultants, including geotechnical and ground investigation experts, to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of design packages for each stage gate review.
• Draft and refine design deliverables for each Stage Gate, actively participating in the review and aggregation of consultant inputs to facilitate successful submission and approval processes.
• Foster strong collaborative relationships with district development teams, ensuring that cliff stabilization measures are seamlessly integrated with adjacent development plans and infrastructure.
• Oversee the technical review and formal approval processes for all consultant deliverables, verifying compliance with Qiddiya’s established engineering standards, quality assurance protocols, and project-specific requirements.
• Support the development of detailed design scopes, comprehensive technical briefs, and robust Request for Proposals (RFPs) for crucial geotechnical and ground investigation contracts.
• Facilitate effective coordination and communication with internal Parsons teams, including GIS, digital engineering, planning, and delivery departments, to ensure holistic project alignment.
• Lead and facilitate design coordination meetings, adeptly resolving design clashes, tracking action items to closure, and ensuring accountability across all stakeholders.
• Manage the entire lifecycle of Change Request Forms (CRFs) and ensure the timely close-out of all design-related documentation and activities.
• Guarantee that all design deliverables strictly adhere to Qiddiya’s document control procedures and digital engineering standards, ensuring data integrity and accessibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed are highly operational, focusing on process management, cross-functional coordination, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring adherence to project governance. The emphasis on "tracking and managing overlapping scopes," "maintaining a design register and milestone tracker," and "managing the technical review and approval process" are all hallmarks of robust operations management within a complex project environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Management, or a closely related technical field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in design management, with a strong preference for roles on large-scale, complex infrastructure or master-planned development projects.
• Proven track record of successfully coordinating and managing complex, multi-disciplinary design teams and effectively handling overlapping scopes of work.
• Demonstrable experience in managing design consultants and ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality design documentation.
• Familiarity with geotechnical design principles, ground investigation methodologies, and associated risk management practices is considered highly beneficial.

Required Skills:

• Design Management: Expertise in overseeing the entire design lifecycle from concept to detailed design, ensuring technical accuracy and project alignment.
• Geotechnical Engineering Acumen: Strong understanding of geotechnical principles, soil mechanics, and foundation design considerations relevant to stabilization projects.
• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including consultants, development teams, and internal departments.
• Leadership & Team Coordination: Proven ability to lead and motivate multidisciplinary teams, fostering a collaborative environment and driving performance.
• Communication Proficiency: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical information clearly and concisely to various audiences.
• Interface Management: Demonstrated skill in managing complex technical and programmatic interfaces between multiple design packages, consultants, and project areas.
• Conflict Resolution: Ability to identify, analyze, and effectively resolve design conflicts and scope overlaps between different project components.
• Technical Review & Approval: Proficiency in conducting rigorous technical reviews of consultant deliverables and managing the approval process against established standards.
• Document Control & Digital Engineering Standards: Understanding of and commitment to adhering to robust document control procedures and modern digital engineering workflows.

Preferred Skills:

• Construction Management: Experience or understanding of construction methodologies and their impact on design decisions.
• Risk Management: Experience in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly those related to geotechnical aspects.
• Project Management Methodologies: Familiarity with project management frameworks (e.g., PMI, PRINCE2) and their application in design coordination.
• Contract Management: Understanding of contract structures and terms relevant to design consultancy services.
• GIS & Digital Engineering Tools: Familiarity with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and advanced digital engineering platforms for design visualization and coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "10+ years of experience" and the requirement for managing "complex, multi-disciplinary design teams" positions this as a senior-level operations role. The inclusion of "Geotechnical Engineering Acumen" and "Risk Management" highlights the specialized operational knowledge required for this project's unique challenges.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of two (2) large-scale infrastructure or development projects where you managed the design process from initiation through to detailed design completion.
• Provide evidence of managing multiple design consultants simultaneously, demonstrating your ability to coordinate diverse teams and workflows.
• Include examples of conflict resolution strategies implemented to resolve design clashes or overlapping scopes, detailing the process and the positive outcome.
• Present case studies that highlight your experience in integrating specialized design elements (e.g., geotechnical, structural) with broader project master plans.
• Demonstrate your approach to ensuring design compliance with engineering standards, quality assurance protocols, and project-specific requirements through documented processes or project examples.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of design register and milestone tracker templates or demonstrated use in previous roles.
• Case studies illustrating the implementation and management of Stage Gate processes for design approvals.
• Documentation or descriptions of your methodology for conducting technical reviews of consultant deliverables.
• Workflow examples detailing how you coordinate inputs from specialist consultants and consolidate them for review.
• Evidence of managing and closing out change requests (CRFs) or similar project modification processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role of this nature, a portfolio is crucial. It should not just list projects but demonstrate the how – the processes, methodologies, and systems used to manage complex design coordination, resolve conflicts, and ensure adherence to standards. This is a direct reflection of operational capability.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Design Managers with 10+ years of experience in Saudi Arabia, managing large-scale infrastructure projects, the estimated salary range is likely between SAR 35,000 - SAR 55,000 per month (approximately USD 9,300 - USD 14,700 per month). This range accounts for the specialized nature of the role, the project's scale (Qiddiya), and the cost of living and demand for senior engineering talent in the region.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage for employee and dependents.
• Generous paid time off (vacation and public holidays).
• Potential for performance-based bonuses and incentives.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and certifications relevant to design and project management.
• Relocation assistance and housing allowance may be provided for expatriate hires.
• Access to company-provided transportation or travel allowances.
• Retirement savings plan or end-of-service benefits in accordance with Saudi labor law.

Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
• Flexibility may be required to accommodate project deadlines, stakeholder availability, and international coordination needs, potentially involving occasional work outside standard hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on research of senior engineering and project management roles in Saudi Arabia, considering the mega-project context of Qiddiya and Parsons' typical compensation structures for international assignments. Benefits are standard for large multinational corporations operating in the region.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Parsons Corporation operates within the global Engineering, Construction, and Technology sectors, with a significant focus on infrastructure, defense, and advanced technology solutions. For the Qiddiya project, the industry context is large-scale, transformative entertainment and lifestyle development, requiring cutting-edge engineering and design management. This context implies a fast-paced, high-stakes environment demanding rigorous operational excellence.

Company Size: Parsons Corporation is a large, publicly traded, global company with thousands of employees worldwide. This size means access to extensive resources, established best practices, and a structured organizational framework, but also requires individuals to be adept at navigating larger corporate systems and cross-functional collaboration.

Founded: Founded in 1944, Parsons has a long history and a strong reputation for delivering complex projects globally. This longevity suggests a stable company with deep expertise and a well-established operational foundation.

Team Structure:

• The Design Manager will likely be part of a larger Project Management or City-wide Workstream team dedicated to the Qiddiya development.
• This team will include various discipline leads, project planners, commercial managers, and subject matter experts.
• The Design Manager will report to a senior project director or head of design for the Qiddiya initiative.
• Collaboration will be extensive with internal Parsons departments (e.g., Digital Engineering, GIS, Risk Management) and external stakeholders, including the client (Qiddiya Investment Company), multiple design consultants, and construction contractors.

Methodology:

• Parsons emphasizes a data-driven approach to project management and design. Expect a strong reliance on digital engineering tools, BIM (Building Information Modeling), GIS, and robust project management software for tracking, reporting, and collaboration.
• Workflow planning and optimization are critical, with a focus on adhering to stage-gate processes, managing interfaces, and ensuring efficient design delivery cycles.
• Automation and efficiency practices are likely integrated through digital tools and standardized processes to manage the complexity and scale of projects like Qiddiya.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Parsons' global presence and its involvement in mega-projects like Qiddiya is key. The operational culture will likely be one of structured processes, high technical standards, and a strong emphasis on collaboration and digital integration, common for large engineering firms managing complex international projects.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Senior Managerial level within the operations and project management hierarchy. It requires significant autonomy in managing design processes, leading consultant teams, and making critical decisions regarding design coordination and integration. The scope of responsibility extends across multiple functional areas and interfaces, impacting the overall project delivery timeline and quality.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will typically report to a Project Director, Director of Design, or a Senior Program Manager overseeing the Qiddiya development. They will also have direct management responsibility for any junior design coordinators or administrative support staff assigned to their specific workstream. The role involves significant interaction with client representatives and senior leadership from design consultancies.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager's operational impact is substantial. By effectively managing design interfaces, resolving conflicts, and ensuring timely delivery of compliant design packages, they directly influence:

• Project Schedule: Preventing design delays that cascade into construction timelines.
• Cost Efficiency: Minimizing rework and scope duplication, which are major drivers of cost overruns.
• Quality Assurance: Ensuring designs meet technical specifications and performance requirements.
• Risk Mitigation: Proactively identifying and addressing design-related risks, particularly geotechnical ones.
• Stakeholder Satisfaction: Facilitating smooth communication and collaboration among all project parties.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Leadership: Progression to roles such as Director of Design, Program Director, or Head of Engineering for major projects or business units.
• Specialization: Deepening expertise in geotechnical design management or large-scale infrastructure project delivery.
• International Assignments: Opportunities to lead design efforts on other mega-projects globally within Parsons' portfolio.
• Technical Expertise: Development in areas like digital engineering, BIM management, and advanced risk assessment techniques.
• Client Relations: Building strong relationships with key clients like Qiddiya Investment Company, opening doors for future engagements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career advancement within the operations and project management sphere, particularly for those interested in large-scale international infrastructure. The emphasis on managing complex interfaces and driving efficiency makes it a critical operational role with high visibility.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, likely based within a project site office or a dedicated project management office (PMO) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. These environments are typically collaborative, fast-paced, and focused on project delivery.

Office Location(s): The primary work location will be in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, specifically associated with the Qiddiya development project. This may involve working within the Qiddiya site itself or in a nearby Parsons project office supporting the development.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic workspace shared with a multidisciplinary project team, including engineers, planners, commercial managers, and client representatives. This fosters continuous communication and problem-solving.
• Technology-Rich: Access to advanced digital engineering tools, BIM platforms, project management software, and communication systems will be standard. High-speed internet and robust IT support are expected.
• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for direct interaction with team members through daily stand-ups, weekly coordination meetings, design reviews, and informal discussions, facilitating rapid decision-making and problem resolution.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule will be 40 hours per week, typically from Sunday to Thursday, aligning with the Saudi work week.
• Given the demands of large-scale projects, there may be a need for flexibility, including occasional work outside standard hours or on weekends to meet critical deadlines or coordinate with international teams in different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: Working on a mega-project like Qiddiya implies a highly structured and demanding work environment. The emphasis on on-site presence underscores the need for direct collaboration and oversight, typical for operational roles managing physical project execution.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process: The interview process for a Design Manager role at Parsons, especially for a project of Qiddiya's magnitude, will likely be multi-stage and rigorous:

1. Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will assess your resume and qualifications against the basic requirements of the role.
2. Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the direct hiring manager to evaluate your experience, technical understanding, leadership style, and cultural fit. Expect questions focused on your past project management and design coordination experience.
3. Technical Interview/Panel: A session with senior technical experts or a panel from the project team. This may involve discussing specific design challenges, your approach to geotechnical issues, and your familiarity with relevant standards.
4. Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, detailing specific projects, your role, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and measurable outcomes. This is a critical part of the process.
5. Stakeholder/Client Interview (Potential): In some cases, key client representatives (Qiddiya) or senior Parsons leadership may conduct a final interview to ensure alignment and make a final decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by demonstrating specific skill sets (e.g., interface management, conflict resolution).
• Case Studies: For each key project, prepare detailed case studies that outline the project context, your specific responsibilities, the challenges encountered (especially design conflicts or interface issues), the operational processes you applied to resolve them, and the quantifiable results (e.g., time saved, cost avoided, quality improvements).
• Metrics Focus: Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Instead of saying "managed design," say "managed design for a $500M infrastructure component, delivering 95% of packages on time."
• Visual Aids: Use diagrams, workflow charts, and timelines to illustrate complex processes and interfaces. High-level technical drawings or project renderings can also be effective.
• Storytelling: Frame your experience as a narrative – the problem, your operational approach, and the successful resolution. Tailor your examples to the specific requirements of the Design Manager role at Qiddiya.
• Digital Engineering Integration: If applicable, showcase your experience with BIM, GIS, or other digital tools used in design coordination and project management.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Be prepared for hypothetical scenarios asking how you would handle specific design conflicts, manage a consultant falling behind schedule, or integrate a new requirement into an ongoing design.
• Process Improvement: Think about how you would improve the design coordination process for a project of this scale. What tools, methodologies, or communication strategies would you implement?
• Stakeholder Communication: Practice articulating your design management strategy, risk mitigation plans, and progress updates clearly and concisely, as if presenting to senior leadership or the client.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount. Candidates must demonstrate not just what they did, but how they did it, emphasizing the operational processes and systems that led to successful design management and project integration. This is where operational professionals can truly differentiate themselves.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Project Management Software: Proficiency in platforms like Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, or similar for scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking.
• Design & Collaboration Platforms: Experience with BIM (Building Information Modeling) software such as Autodesk Revit, Navisworks for clash detection and 4D/5D simulation, and potentially Bentley Systems products.
• Document Management Systems (DMS): Familiarity with systems like SharePoint, Aconex, or proprietary project DMS for managing design deliverables, transmittals, and approvals.
• Collaboration Suites: Expertise in Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar for real-time communication and team collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Competence in using tools like Microsoft Excel for data analysis, reporting, and creating dashboards.
• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Familiarity with BI platforms like Microsoft Power BI or Tableau for creating visual dashboards to track design progress, KPIs, and potential risks.
• GIS Software: Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) platforms like Esri ArcGIS for spatial analysis and understanding the geographical context of the cliff stabilization work.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how project data flows and interfaces with client-facing systems or internal stakeholder management tools would be beneficial.
• Automation in this context would relate to workflow automation within DMS or project management software to streamline review and approval processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: A Design Manager in this context needs to be tech-savvy, particularly with tools that facilitate collaboration, clash detection, and document management across multidisciplinary teams and large datasets. Proficiency with BIM and robust DMS is expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity & Accountability: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all dealings and taking ownership of design delivery and coordination responsibilities.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a spirit of partnership with internal teams, consultants, and the client to achieve shared project goals.
• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to delivering technically sound, high-quality design solutions that meet or exceed project specifications.
• Innovation & Efficiency: Continuously seeking ways to improve design processes, leverage technology, and enhance project delivery efficiency.
• Safety & Risk Management: Prioritizing safety in all design considerations and proactively managing risks associated with complex engineering challenges.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Communication: Engaging regularly with all stakeholders to anticipate issues and maintain alignment.
• Transparent Reporting: Providing clear, honest, and timely updates on design progress, risks, and challenges.
• Solution-Oriented: Focusing on collaborative problem-solving and finding mutually agreeable solutions to design and interface issues.
• Respectful Engagement: Valuing diverse perspectives and fostering an inclusive environment where all team members feel empowered to contribute.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing project data and analytics to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement in the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Parsons, as a global firm, will have established values. For an operations role on a project like Qiddiya, these values will translate into a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and strong cross-functional collaboration, essential for managing the complexity of mega-projects.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Inter-District Interfaces: The complexity of coordinating design across multiple distinct development districts, each with its own consultants and timelines, presents a significant interface management challenge.
• Resolving Design Conflicts: Proactively identifying and efficiently resolving technical clashes and scope overlaps between various design packages and disciplines requires strong analytical and negotiation skills.
• Ensuring Geotechnical Integration: Effectively integrating specialized geotechnical designs with overall project master plans and adjacent developments requires deep technical understanding and excellent communication.
• Adherence to Standards: Maintaining strict adherence to Qiddiya's engineering standards, digital engineering protocols, and stage-gate processes across all design consultants can be demanding.
• Pace of Mega-Projects: Working within the accelerated timelines and high-pressure environment typical of mega-projects like Qiddiya requires exceptional organizational and time management skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Project Management: Gaining hands-on experience managing design for one of the world's most ambitious entertainment destinations.
• Digital Engineering Mastery: Deepening expertise in BIM, GIS, and advanced digital project management tools in a cutting-edge environment.
• Geotechnical Project Exposure: Enhancing understanding of complex geotechnical challenges and their impact on large-scale infrastructure design.
• Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Developing skills in working effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders in an international project setting.
• Leadership Development: Opportunities to mentor junior staff and hone leadership skills in a high-stakes project management context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to the scale and complexity of the Qiddiya project, offering significant opportunities for professional growth and skill development in areas critical to modern infrastructure development and operations management.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Operations Strategy: "Describe your approach to managing design interfaces across multiple consultants and project districts on a mega-project. What key operational processes would you implement to ensure seamless integration and minimize conflicts?"
• Stakeholder Management: "How would you manage a situation where a key design consultant is consistently missing milestones or delivering sub-standard work? Detail your communication strategy and escalation process."
• Problem-Solving: "Imagine a critical design clash is discovered late in the design phase that impacts multiple districts. Walk me through your process for identifying the root cause, developing solutions, and getting them approved and implemented efficiently."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Parsons' approach to digital engineering and how would you leverage these tools in your role as Design Manager for Qiddiya?"
• "How do you foster a collaborative environment among diverse teams, including external consultants and internal departments, to achieve common project objectives?"
• "Describe a time you had to ensure strict adherence to company or project-specific standards. What was your approach, and what were the results?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Project Selection: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your design management, interface coordination, and problem-solving skills relevant to the Qiddiya project.
• Quantify Impact: Clearly articulate the scale of projects (budget, complexity), your specific contributions, and the measurable outcomes achieved (e.g., time saved, cost reductions, quality improvements). Use data points effectively.
• Process Focus: For each project, explain the operational processes you used for coordination, conflict resolution, and quality assurance. Use visual aids like process flowcharts or timelines if possible.
• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly connect your portfolio examples to the required skills like stakeholder management, geotechnical understanding, and digital engineering proficiency.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your portfolio efficiently within a given timeframe, focusing on the most impactful information.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of operational processes, project management methodologies, and the ability to manage complexity and stakeholders effectively. The portfolio presentation is a critical opportunity to showcase practical application of these skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-focused Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Parsons careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Prepare a tailored portfolio that highlights your experience in managing large-scale infrastructure design, specifically showcasing your ability to handle inter-consultant coordination, interface management, and conflict resolution. Include specific examples of design registers, milestone trackers, and technical review processes used.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 10+ years of experience in design management, emphasizing achievements related to project delivery, team leadership, and technical coordination. Integrate keywords such as "interface management," "multi-disciplinary coordination," "geotechnical," and "digital engineering."
• Interview Preparation: Practice answering behavioral and situational questions related to managing complex projects, resolving design conflicts, and leading diverse teams. Be ready to walk through your portfolio with specific operational examples.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Parsons Corporation's global projects, its commitment to innovation, and the specific vision and scope of the Qiddiya development to demonstrate genuine interest and alignment with the company's operational ethos.

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