About the Role
AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Design Manager – Landscape for a full-time position in Riyadh. This role is responsible for overseeing and managing all landscape design activities within a Project Management Consultancy (PMC) environment, ensuring alignment with client requirements, project objectives, and regulatory standards. The position requires a minimum of 10 years of experience.
Role Overview and Responsibilities
The Design Manager – Landscape will lead and manage all landscape design activities from concept through detailed design and construction support. This includes coordinating landscape design with multidisciplinary teams such as architectural, civil, utilities, infrastructure, and MEP. A key aspect of the role involves reviewing and validating landscape design submissions from consultants to ensure compliance with project scope, quality standards, and regulations. The manager will ensure design integration across disciplines through regular design reviews and clash detection processes, and develop, monitor, and manage the landscape design program aligned with overall project timelines.
Expert input will be provided on landscape design elements including planting strategies, irrigation, grading, drainage, and hardscape. The role involves reviewing landscape concepts for functionality, sustainability, and aesthetic quality, ensuring the use of appropriate plant species (native, climate-appropriate, low-maintenance), and assessing environmental impact, soil conditions, hydrology, and long-term maintainability. Verification of sustainable design solutions, including water efficiency and green infrastructure, is also a core responsibility. The Design Manager will liaise with clients, authorities, and stakeholders for design approvals and compliance, and participate in technical meetings with consultants and contractors to resolve design issues. Support for project reporting by providing updates on landscape design progress and risks, monitoring design changes and their impact on cost, schedule, and quality, and supporting value engineering exercises for landscape elements without compromising quality are also expected.
Furthermore, the role includes identifying and mitigating design-related risks and technical challenges, providing technical support during construction phases (responding to RFIs and reviewing shop drawings), overseeing landscape implementation to ensure design intent is maintained, and monitoring site progress related to landscaping and coordinating with supervision teams.
Qualifications and Experience
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Landscape Architecture or a related field. A minimum of 12–15+ years of experience is required, with significant exposure to design management and landscape projects. Proven experience in PMC, consultancy, or large-scale infrastructure/urban development projects is essential.
Required Skills and Knowledge
Strong knowledge of Landscape design principles, urban design, irrigation, grading, drainage, sustainability practices, and design coordination across disciplines is necessary. The role demands strong leadership and team management skills, along with excellent coordination and stakeholder management abilities. Proficiency in design and coordination tools such as AutoCAD, BIM, and GIS is required. A solid understanding of international standards, codes, and authority requirements is also a prerequisite. Candidates should possess strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to balance design quality, cost, and constructability.
Role Focus and Approach
This position acts as a client representative for landscape design oversight, rather than a primary designer. The focus is on review, governance, integration, and delivery assurance, ensuring that consultants deliver coordinated, buildable, and compliant landscape designs.
Work Environment
This is a full-time position based in Riyadh.
