Senior Design Manager

About the role

Buro Happold is seeking a Senior Design Manager to lead design delivery for major building and infrastructure projects across the Middle East. Based in Jeddah, you will manage remote design teams, ensure technical quality, and act as the primary client liaison for design matters.

Key responsibilities

• Provide proactive design management for large‑scale projects, overseeing execution, client interface and technical quality.
• Lead and coordinate remote design teams located in Jeddah, ensuring alignment with project goals.
• Drive the BIM approach for design development and collaboration.
• Manage issues, risks and change requests to keep projects on schedule and within budget.
• Oversee RIBA design stages and master‑plan developments, reviewing submissions for gateway approvals.
• Participate in value‑engineering and cost‑validation exercises.
• Support the Project Manager/Director with overall project deliverables and reporting.
• Create RFPs for design consultants, conduct feasibility studies and select sub‑consultants.
• Define organisational structures, decision‑making roles and communication processes for design delivery.
• Assist the Project Planner in developing schedules, milestones and phasing options.

Required profile

• Extensive experience in design management within an engineering consultancy or construction environment.
• Proven ability to lead remote multidisciplinary teams and manage client relationships.
• Strong understanding of BIM processes and RIBA design stages.
• Experience with value engineering, cost validation and risk management.
• Excellent analytical skills to evaluate project progress and propose efficient solutions.

Required skills

• BIM
• RIBA design stages
• Value engineering