Design Manager

Design Manager – End-to-End Design & Build Leadership (Concept to IFC & Shop Drawings)

We are currently seeking a highly skilled and visionary Design Manager to oversee the comprehensive design delivery process for complex Design & Build projects in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The ideal candidate will lead the design journey from Concept Design through to Issued for Construction (IFC), Shop Drawings, and As-Built documentation, ensuring seamless coordination, technical excellence, and adherence to project timelines and budgets. This role demands a strategic leader capable of managing multidisciplinary teams, external consultants, and stakeholders to deliver high-quality, buildable, and compliant design solutions.

Key Responsibilities

The Design Manager will be responsible for the following core functions:

• End-to-End Design Leadership: Oversee the entire design process, including Concept Design, Schematic Design, Detailed Design, IFC production, Shop Drawings, and Construction Support, ensuring alignment with project objectives and client expectations.
• Design Management Framework: Develop and implement a robust Design Management Plan that outlines design schedules, deliverables, gateways, approval processes, and quality assurance protocols to maintain consistency and efficiency throughout the project lifecycle.
• Multidisciplinary Coordination: Lead and coordinate a diverse team of internal designers and external consultants across disciplines such as Architecture, Structural Engineering, MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing), Civil Engineering, Landscape Design, Façade Engineering, Interior Design, Extra Low Voltage (ELV) systems, and Specialist Systems to ensure cohesive and clash-free design outcomes.
• Compliance and Quality Assurance: Ensure all design deliverables meet client requirements, project specifications, international standards, and regulatory codes. Conduct thorough reviews and approvals of design submissions, technical reports, material specifications, shop drawings, RFIs (Requests for Information), and design change requests to maintain design integrity and contractual compliance.
• Constructability and Coordination: Prioritize multidisciplinary coordination to eliminate design conflicts before IFC issuance and construction commencement. Provide expert input on construction methodologies, sequencing, temporary works coordination, and constructability reviews to enhance project feasibility and execution.
• Team Development and Mentorship: Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture by mentoring internal design teams, BIM coordinators, and discipline leads, promoting professional growth and technical excellence within the organization.
• Stakeholder and Authority Engagement: Manage design approvals and submissions with clients, regulatory authorities, and key stakeholders, ensuring timely and compliant approvals to avoid project delays.
• Contractual and EPC Expertise: Demonstrate a deep understanding of design responsibilities within Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) and Design & Build contracts, ensuring alignment between design deliverables and contractual obligations.

Qualifications and Experience

To excel in this role, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture or a related field.
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 12 to 18 years of professional experience in architecture or design management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role specifically managing Design & Build projects from Concept Design through IFC, Shop Drawings, Construction, and As-Built documentation.
• Technical Proficiency: Extensive experience managing external consultants and internal engineering teams, with a strong background in BIM implementation and digital project delivery methodologies.
• Industry Knowledge: Demonstrated expertise in construction methodologies, sequencing, and constructability reviews, coupled with a comprehensive understanding of international design standards and regulatory compliance.
• Project Exposure: Prior experience on large-scale mixed-use developments, airports, hospitality, healthcare, commercial, or infrastructure projects is highly advantageous and will be considered a significant asset.

Why Join Us?

As a Design Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the built environment, leading transformative projects that define skylines and communities. This position offers a unique opportunity to work on high-impact, large-scale developments in a dynamic and growing market. You will collaborate with industry-leading professionals, leverage cutting-edge technologies, and contribute to projects that leave a lasting legacy. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for design excellence and a proven track record in Design & Build environments, we invite you to apply and take the next step in your career.

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their CV and a comprehensive project portfolio to [email protected] or connect directly via LinkedIn to discuss this exciting opportunity.