Senior Design Manager Public Realm

About Qiddiya and the Role

Qiddiya is seeking a Senior Design Manager – Public Realm to join its team in Riyadh. This full-time position is central to the planning, design coordination, and delivery of public realm projects within assigned districts and citywide initiatives, requiring 5-10 years of relevant experience.

Role Overview

The Senior Design Manager – Public Realm will lead consultant teams and provide technical leadership, coordinating multidisciplinary inputs to ensure public realm designs align with approved masterplans, Stage Gate requirements, citywide standards, the Public Realm Design Manual (PRDM), and People First Principles. This role serves as the primary day-to-day public realm lead for district delivery teams, supporting the Public Realm Director in driving successful project outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the Lead Public Realm Design Manager for assigned districts and project portfolios.
• Manage public realm design development through Concept Master Plan (CMP), Detailed Master Plan (DMP), Land Servicing, and detailed design stages.
• Coordinate and review consultant deliverables to ensure compliance with approved masterplans, design standards, and technical requirements.
• Support the implementation of citywide public realm strategies, standards, and PRDM requirements.
• Coordinate public realm interfaces with infrastructure, mobility, utilities, irrigation, sustainability, environmental, and operational teams.
• Review design submissions and provide technical recommendations to support Stage Gate approvals.
• Monitor programme delivery, design risks, and key project dependencies.
• Support procurement activities, consultant management, scope development, and Request for Proposal (RFP) reviews.
• Mentor junior team members and promote consistency in public realm delivery and governance.
• Contribute to the development of public realm standards, technical guidance, and best-practice design solutions across the city.

Key Accountabilities

• Ensure delivery of coordinated and compliant public realm design packages.
• Achieve district programme milestones and Stage Gate requirements.
• Effectively manage consultant performance and design quality.
• Successfully integrate public realm requirements with wider district infrastructure and development programmes.
• Identify and mitigate design, programme, and technical risks.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Candidates for this role should possess 5-10 years of relevant experience, demonstrating proficiency in:

• Managing multidisciplinary consultants through all design stages.
• A strong technical understanding of public realm systems, including parks, streetscapes, irrigation, hardscape, softscape, and infrastructure interfaces.
• Working on large-scale mixed-use developments, masterplanned communities, or mega-projects.

Application Process

Qiddiya is committed to building a team of dedicated professionals. Interested candidates who meet the outlined qualifications are encouraged to apply.