Design Manager Infrastructure

About the Role

WSP in the Middle East is seeking an experienced Design Manager, Infrastructure, to join their team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This full-time role focuses on leading the delivery of complex multidisciplinary infrastructure projects, with a particular emphasis on land development and master-planned communities. The Design Manager will be responsible for coordinating multidisciplinary design teams and serving as the primary interface between clients, internal technical teams, authorities, and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary design teams across infrastructure and land development projects.
• Manage the end-to-end design process from concept through detailed design and construction support, ensuring quality at all stages.
• Develop and implement design management plans, programmes, and delivery strategies.
• Ensure coordination and alignment between various disciplines including roads, utilities, drainage, public realm, transportation, and structures.
• Monitor project progress against scope, schedule, budget, and quality objectives.
• Drive collaboration between technical discipline leads to achieve integrated design solutions.

Client and Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients regarding design delivery matters.
• Build and maintain relationships with KSA government entities, developers, and key stakeholders.
• Lead client meetings, technical workshops, design reviews, and progress presentations.
• Manage coordination with regulatory authorities and utility providers throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support business development initiatives and contribute to client engagement activities.

Technical Oversight and Commercial Controls

• Provide strategic technical leadership on major infrastructure and land development projects.
• Monitor resources employed by each discipline to ensure efficient design execution.
• Review design submissions for compliance with project requirements, local regulations, and industry standards.
• Ensure design solutions support project objectives related to functionality, sustainability, constructability, and cost efficiency.
• Identify project risks and implement mitigation strategies throughout the design process.
• Support project directors and project managers in project planning and resource management.
• Monitor design budgets, staffing plans, deliverables, and project profitability.
• Manage design change processes and ensure scope control.
• Support proposal preparation, technical methodologies, and fee submissions.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary design teams.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to talent development, succession planning, and technical capability growth within the business.

Qualifications and Experience

• A strong background working within leading engineering consultancies.
• Substantial experience (+10 years) managing infrastructure design associated with large-scale master-planned developments, major highways and complex interchanges, urban expansions, mixed-use communities, and public sector projects in Saudi Arabia.