Director - Design - Commercial Office

About the role

The Director – Design will lead the design management discipline for Qiddiya’s Commercial Office Development portfolio, turning the vision into investment‑grade office assets from concept through to construction‑ready documentation.

Key responsibilities

• Lead design competitions, select and novate architectural firms and lead design consultants for office and mixed‑use parcels.
• Manage a team of specialist design managers across concept, schematic, detailed design and construction documentation stages.
• Coordinate with masterplanning, infrastructure, landscape and sustainability teams to ensure fully integrated design outcomes.
• Oversee design consultant performance, chair design review boards and technical workshops, and develop performance KPIs.
• Ensure compliance with the Saudi Building Code, Mostadam/LEED targets, civil‑defense requirements and Qiddiya design guidelines.
• Conduct value‑engineering exercises while preserving design quality and investment value.
• Present design proposals and progress to executive leadership, investment committees and government stakeholders.
• Support leasing and investment teams by translating market and tenant requirements into design briefs.
• Mentor and expand an in‑house design team as the development pipeline scales.
• Review and continuously improve COBU technical, smart and sustainability guidelines.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Project Management or a related field.
• Professional registration (e.g., Chartered Engineer) and PMP certification are advantageous.
• Minimum 12 years of design‑management experience, including senior leadership on large‑scale commercial office or mixed‑use projects.
• Proven ability to lead design teams to deliver on schedule, cost and quality targets.
• Expert knowledge of local and international design standards, codes and regulations; KSA/Middle‑East experience preferred.
• Track record delivering BCO Grade A or investment‑grade office towers from concept through handover.

Required skills