Senior Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Design Manager

Company: Parsons Corporation

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia / Al Diriyah, Saudi Arabia

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Design Management / Infrastructure Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-18

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and coordinate all aspects of utilities and infrastructure design on a complex, large-scale development, ensuring alignment with project, client, and regulatory requirements.

• Manage multi-disciplinary internal and external design teams, fostering a collaborative and solution-oriented culture.

• Drive value engineering and optioneering to optimize design solutions for cost, program, safety, sustainability, and operability.

• Serve as the primary design interface for utilities and infrastructure with internal and external stakeholders, including clients, consultants, contractors, and utility providers.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for the successful execution of large-scale development projects, requiring a seasoned professional with deep expertise in infrastructure and utilities design management, particularly within the Saudi Arabian regulatory landscape. The emphasis on stakeholder management and cross-functional coordination highlights its strategic importance within the project lifecycle.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the utilities and infrastructure design process from conceptualization through detailed design, construction, and final handover.

• Develop and meticulously manage the design strategy, comprehensive design programs, and deliverable schedules for all utilities and infrastructure packages.

• Ensure seamless integration of utilities and infrastructure designs with architectural, structural, civil, MEP, and other specialist disciplines.

• Conduct and document design coordination meetings, technical workshops, and rigorous design reviews to ensure project alignment and quality.

• Proactively identify and implement value engineering initiatives and optioneering studies to optimize design solutions for cost-effectiveness, program efficiency, safety, sustainability, and long-term operability.

• Oversee the design of all utility and infrastructure elements, including power, telecommunications, data networks, potable water, fire water, irrigation, foul sewerage, stormwater drainage, waste systems, district cooling/heating, gas, roads, and external works.

• Guarantee that all designs strictly adhere to the stipulated requirements and standards of all relevant utility providers, authorities, and statutory bodies.

• Lead the coordination efforts for diversions, upgrades, temporary supplies, and permanent connections with utility companies and relevant authorities.

• Proactively manage interface risks between utilities/infrastructure and buildings, public realm, transportation, and adjacent developments to prevent potential conflicts.

• Act as the primary design liaison for utilities and infrastructure with internal project management, construction, planning, commercial, HSE, quality, operations, and asset management teams.

• Effectively communicate complex technical issues in a clear, concise, and structured manner to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Prepare and present detailed design status reports, risk registers, design issue logs, and critical decision papers to senior management and clients.

• Cultivate and maintain robust working relationships with utility providers and authorities to facilitate timely approvals and permit acquisition.

• Ensure all utilities and infrastructure designs comply with the project brief, employer's requirements, local codes, regulations, authority mandates, and HSE standards.

• Lead design reviews, technical audits, and constructability reviews, meticulously capturing and closing out all identified actions.

• Ensure design risk assessments are completed and that the design intent actively supports safe construction, efficient operation, and effective maintenance.

• Develop and continuously monitor design programs and milestones for utilities and infrastructure packages, ensuring strict alignment with the overall project schedule.

• Identify, assess, and manage design risks, constraints, and assumptions, maintaining an up-to-date design risk register.

• Manage and meticulously document design changes, scope developments, and interfaces, providing essential support to the commercial team for change impact assessments.

• Support the timely resolution of design-related issues encountered on-site, responding promptly to RFIs, technical queries, and non-conformances.

• Provide strong leadership, expert guidance, and valuable mentoring to internal design managers, engineers, and coordinators.

• Manage and coordinate external design consultants, ensuring clear scopes of work, precise deliverable requirements, and well-defined performance expectations.

• Foster a collaborative, solution-oriented culture across design, construction, and commercial teams, promoting synergy and shared objectives.

• Support capability development within utilities and infrastructure design management through the systematic application of lessons learned, knowledge sharing, and the standardization of best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities outline a highly strategic and hands-on role. The emphasis on "dry utilities" specifically for Saudi Arabia indicates a need for localized knowledge and experience. The breadth of responsibilities, from concept to handover and stakeholder management, requires a candidate with a comprehensive understanding of the entire project lifecycle and strong operational oversight capabilities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline. Experience:

• Extensive experience (10+ years) as a Design Manager or Senior Design Manager, with a significant portion dedicated to large, complex, multi-phase developments or major infrastructure projects.

• Proven track record in managing the design of utilities and infrastructure, encompassing power, water (potable, fire, irrigation), sewer (foul, stormwater), telecommunications, data networks, district heating/cooling, gas, and related civil infrastructure elements.

• Demonstrated experience in coordinating effectively with utility providers, local authorities, and regulatory bodies to secure necessary approvals, permits, and facilitate permanent utility connections.

• Substantial experience leading multi-disciplinary design teams and managing the performance and deliverables of external design consultants.

• Experience in design management gained within a contractor, client, or major consultant environment on large-scale projects. Required Skills:

• Proficient understanding of utilities and infrastructure design standards, codes, and authority requirements, with a specific emphasis on "dry utilities" in Saudi Arabia.

• Proven ability to interpret and coordinate complex design information, including drawings, specifications, and BIM models.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the demonstrable ability to:

  • Clearly articulate complex technical issues to diverse audiences, including non-technical stakeholders.
  • Prepare concise and impactful reports, presentations, and decision papers for senior management and clients.
  • Facilitate effective and productive meetings and technical workshops.

• Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills, capable of managing expectations, resolving conflicts, and building consensus among diverse parties.

• Expertise in design governance, compliance, and quality assurance processes within large infrastructure projects.

• Solid understanding of program, risk, and change management principles as applied to design development. Preferred Skills:

• Chartered status or equivalent professional registration (or actively working towards achieving it) is highly desirable.

• Good knowledge of constructability principles, temporary works considerations, and the application of safe-by-design methodologies.

• Familiarity with Building Information Modeling (BIM) processes, Common Data Environments (CDE), and digital collaboration tools.

• Proactive, structured, and delivery-focused mindset with exceptional organizational skills.

• Collaborative team player with the ability to influence, lead, and drive positive outcomes across diverse and often geographically dispersed teams.

• High attention to detail, coupled with the strategic ability to maintain a holistic, project-wide perspective.

• Resilience, adaptability, and comfort working effectively in fast-paced, complex, and often high-pressure project environments.

• Demonstrated commitment to upholding the highest standards of safety, quality, and continuous improvement in all aspects of work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of deep technical expertise in utilities and infrastructure design, robust project management capabilities, and exceptional interpersonal skills necessary for navigating complex stakeholder landscapes. The specific mention of "dry utilities" and "Saudi authority requirements" is a critical differentiator for candidates.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies of Large-Scale Infrastructure Projects: Present detailed case studies showcasing your direct involvement and leadership in the design management of significant utilities and infrastructure components for major developments. Focus on projects of comparable scale and complexity to the one described.

• Demonstration of Multi-Disciplinary Coordination: Include examples or summaries of how you have successfully coordinated complex design information across multiple engineering disciplines (e.g., Civil, Structural, MEP, Electrical, Power, Water, Drainage, Telecoms) and with architectural teams.

• Stakeholder Management Successes: Provide specific examples of how you have managed relationships and resolved conflicts with diverse stakeholders, including clients, utility providers, governmental authorities, and contractors. Quantify the positive impact of your engagement where possible.

• Value Engineering and Optioneering Outcomes: Showcase instances where your strategic input led to demonstrable cost savings, program efficiencies, or enhanced sustainability through value engineering or optioneering processes. Include metrics or quantified benefits.

• Risk Management and Mitigation Strategies: Present examples of how you have proactively identified, assessed, and mitigated design-related risks on complex projects, particularly those pertaining to utilities and infrastructure interfaces.

Process Documentation:

• Design Strategy and Program Development: Provide samples or descriptions of design strategies, master design programs, and deliverable schedules you have developed for large infrastructure projects. Highlight how these were aligned with overall project objectives.

• Coordination Meeting Minutes and Action Tracking: Include anonymized examples of minutes from key design coordination meetings, technical workshops, or design reviews, demonstrating your ability to facilitate discussions, capture decisions, and track action items to closure.

• Risk Register and Change Management Documentation: Present templates or anonymized examples of design risk registers and change logs you have managed, illustrating your approach to identifying, assessing, and managing design risks and changes throughout the project lifecycle.

• Reporting and Presentation Materials: Showcase examples of design status reports, technical issue papers, or client presentations you have created, demonstrating your ability to communicate complex technical information clearly and concisely to various audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this Senior Design Manager role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only demonstrate technical competence but also leadership, strategic thinking, and proven success in managing complex, multi-stakeholder environments. The emphasis on Saudi Arabian utilities and infrastructure requirements means that projects within this region or with similar regulatory frameworks will be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Given the Senior Design Manager title, extensive experience required (10+ years), and the location in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a competitive salary package is expected. Based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in major infrastructure projects in the region, the estimated annual salary range is likely between SAR 450,000 to SAR 700,000 (approximately USD 120,000 to USD 187,000). This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and the overall project budget.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage for employee and dependents.

• Relocation assistance and accommodation support for expatriate hires.

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

• Performance-based bonuses and incentives.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and certifications.

• Potential for long-term career progression within Parsons' global operations.

• Travel allowances or business class travel for specific project needs.

• End-of-service benefits as per statutory requirements. Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, with potential for overtime depending on project demands and deadlines.

• The role requires on-site presence, necessitating adherence to typical business hours, with flexibility expected for critical project milestones or urgent issues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research of senior engineering and project management roles in the construction and infrastructure sectors in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, considering the current market rates and the demanding nature of large-scale development projects. Benefits are standard for international assignments in the region, with a focus on supporting expatriate employees.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry:

Parsons Corporation operates within the Engineering, Construction, and Technology sectors, with a significant focus on infrastructure development, defense, and security. The company is deeply involved in large-scale, transformative projects globally, including major urban developments, transportation networks, and critical infrastructure. In Saudi Arabia, Parsons is a key player in supporting Vision 2030 initiatives, particularly in the development of giga-projects and smart cities, making the infrastructure and utilities sector a high-priority area.

Company Size:

Parsons Corporation is a large, global enterprise employing over 15,000 people worldwide. This scale indicates a robust organizational structure, established processes, and access to significant resources, expertise, and a wide network of professionals. For operations professionals, this means opportunities for broad impact, exposure to diverse projects, and potential for career advancement across different divisions and geographies.

Founded:

Parsons was founded in 1944 by Ralph M. Parsons. With nearly 80 years of history, the company has a long-standing reputation for delivering complex, innovative solutions and establishing itself as a trusted partner in major engineering and construction endeavors. This legacy suggests a culture that values experience, technical excellence, and long-term client relationships.

Team Structure:

The Senior Design Manager will likely be part of a larger project delivery team. This team is expected to include:

• Project Management Office (PMO): Overseeing the overall project execution, schedule, budget, and client relations.

• Design Management Team: Comprising various design discipline managers (architectural, structural, MEP, civil, etc.) who the Senior Design Manager will coordinate with.

• Construction Management Team: Responsible for site execution, quality control, and contractor management.

• Commercial and Contracts Team: Handling procurement, claims, and contractual matters.

• HSE and Quality Assurance Teams: Ensuring compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards.

• Specialist Consultants and Utility Providers: External entities that the Senior Design Manager will interface with.

Methodology:

Parsons emphasizes a structured, integrated approach to project delivery. Key methodologies likely include:

• Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) principles: Fostering collaboration and shared risk/reward across project stakeholders.

• Building Information Modeling (BIM): Utilizing advanced digital tools for design, coordination, visualization, and lifecycle management. Parsons is a leader in BIM implementation.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Employing analytics and performance metrics to inform project strategies and operational improvements.

• Agile Project Management Principles: Applying flexibility and adaptability where appropriate, especially in dynamic project environments.

• Standardized Design Management Processes: Implementing robust procedures for design review, risk management, change control, and quality assurance.

Company Website:

https://www.parsons.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Parsons' involvement in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 provides significant context. The company is likely working on high-profile, transformative projects, offering unparalleled opportunities for professionals in infrastructure and design management. The emphasis on BIM and integrated project delivery aligns with modern best practices in the construction and engineering industry.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

This role is at a senior management level, typically requiring 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in design management, with a strong specialization in utilities and infrastructure. It signifies a leadership position responsible for the strategic direction and operational execution of design activities for critical project components. The Senior Design Manager is expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, making significant decisions that impact project timelines, costs, and quality. This position often serves as a stepping stone to Program Director or Executive Management roles within large infrastructure projects or within Parsons' broader organizational structure.

Reporting Structure:

The Senior Design Manager will likely report to a Project Director, Program Director, or a senior executive overseeing the project's technical aspects. They will, in turn, manage and lead a team of internal design managers, engineers, and coordinators, as well as oversee the performance of external design consultants and the coordination with various utility providers and authorities. This position requires strong influence and collaboration across multiple reporting lines and functional teams.

Operations Impact:

The Senior Design Manager's impact is directly tied to the successful delivery of utilities and infrastructure, which are the foundational elements of any large-scale development. Effective management of these designs ensures:

• Project Viability: Safe, buildable, and cost-effective solutions that meet client and regulatory demands.

• Operational Efficiency: Designs that support the long-term functionality and maintenance of the development's essential services.

• Risk Mitigation: Prevention of costly delays, rework, and safety incidents that can arise from design flaws or interface issues.

• Commercial Success: Adherence to budget and schedule, contributing to the overall profitability and success of the project.

• Client Satisfaction: Delivery of a high-quality, compliant, and functional infrastructure backbone that meets or exceeds client expectations.

Growth Opportunities:

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