Design Manager – Real Estate Development

About the role

The Design Manager will lead all design activities for a portfolio of residential, mixed‑use and commercial developments in Riyadh. Reporting to the COO, the role oversees the full design lifecycle, from concept and master planning through detailed design, approvals, tendering and construction support.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the design process across multiple real‑estate projects simultaneously.
• Oversee architecture, engineering, master planning, landscape, interior design and specialist disciplines.
• Develop and manage the internal Design Department, setting objectives and performance targets.
• Appoint, coordinate and manage multidisciplinary consultants throughout all project stages.
• Review design briefs, consultant deliverables, scopes of work and RFP documentation.
• Ensure projects meet approved budgets, programmes, quality standards and business objectives.
• Coordinate authority submissions and secure required government approvals.
• Collaborate with Construction, Commercial, Finance, Sales and Marketing teams during the development lifecycle.
• Support value engineering, cost optimisation and design change management.
• Provide technical support during construction through design reviews, site visits and coordination meetings.
• Identify and mitigate design‑related risks across the project portfolio.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Urban Planning or a related discipline.
• 12–15+ years of experience in real‑estate development, with at least 5 years in a design‑manager or similar leadership role.
• Proven experience delivering residential communities, mixed‑use and commercial projects in Saudi Arabia.
• Demonstrated ability to manage internal design teams and external multidisciplinary consultants.
• Strong understanding of authority approvals, design coordination, value engineering, risk management and quality control.

Required skills

• Proficiency in AutoCAD.
• Working knowledge of Revit (advantageous).
• Familiarity with MS Project (advantageous).