Design Director Utility Compounds📣 Job Ad

About the Role

Parsons Corporation is seeking a Design Director for Utility Compounds to lead and manage the overall design delivery process for utility compounds, including substations, switching/control compounds, and utility hubs. This full-time position is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and requires over 10 years of experience. The role focuses on project and process management to ensure design activities align with scope, schedule, cost, quality, and stakeholder requirements, interfacing effectively with construction, commercial, HSE, and operations objectives.

Design Governance and Process Leadership

This role involves defining and implementing the design management strategy, plans, and procedures for utility compound projects. Key responsibilities include establishing the design delivery roadmap with stage gates and milestones, setting up the design responsibility matrix, and ensuring consistent application of company and client design management standards across all projects.

Design Planning, Coordination, and Control

The Design Director will develop and own the integrated design schedule, monitor progress against baselines, and lead recovery planning. This includes coordinating with commercial and finance teams to manage design budgets and resource allocations, tracking design productivity, and reporting on cost versus budget for design activities. The role also requires leading the coordination of all multi-disciplinary design contributors, chairing design meetings, and ensuring design outputs align with construction, procurement, and commissioning strategies.

Change, Risk, and Quality Management

Responsibilities include establishing and managing a formal design change control process, maintaining a design risk register, and ensuring that approved changes are properly documented and incorporated. The Design Director will oversee compliance with codes, standards, and client requirements, ensuring robust document control and managing design review, verification, and approval processes, including technical and constructability reviews.

Stakeholder Engagement and Digital Engineering

This position serves as the senior point of contact for design management matters with clients, utility owners, and authorities. It involves leading design-related workshops and presentations, coordinating responses to stakeholder comments, and supporting planning and permitting processes. The role also oversees the implementation of BIM and digital engineering processes, ensuring models and data align with project information management plans.

Qualifications and Experience

Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, or Construction Management, or a closely related technical field. A minimum of 20 years of experience in project/design management on large infrastructure, utilities, industrial, or complex building projects is required, with significant exposure to utility compounds or similar facilities. A proven track record in managing multi-disciplinary design delivery and external consultants from concept through to handover is essential.

• Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree in a relevant field, PMP certification, experience with utility/energy clients, familiarity with FIDIC contracts, and experience in BIM/digital engineering environments.