Senior Design Manager📣 Job Ad

About the Role

Buro Happold is seeking a Senior Design Manager - Architect to lead architectural design management for a significant luxury development in Riyadh. This senior position is crucial for the successful delivery of a landmark project, requiring strong leadership in architectural design, consultant coordination, and technical execution throughout the design lifecycle.

The primary objective of this role is to provide proactive architectural design management, ensuring the effective execution of a major luxury project in Riyadh. The Senior Design Manager will be responsible for managing consultant coordination, engaging with stakeholders, and maintaining the technical and aesthetic standards of the architecture package.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design management across concept, developed, detailed, and Issued For Construction (IFC) stages.
• Manage architectural consultants and coordinate inputs from specialist designers and technical advisors.
• Review and challenge design deliverables to ensure they meet project brief requirements, quality expectations, and technical specifications.
• Oversee multidisciplinary design coordination, integrating inputs from interiors, MEP, structures, landscape, and infrastructure teams.
• Lead design reviews, technical workshops, and gateway submissions.
• Manage design risks, issues, changes, and their programme impacts related to the architecture package.
• Support value engineering, buildability, and cost alignment exercises.
• Prepare and review reports, presentations, and client-facing design updates.
• Contribute to consultant procurement processes, scope development, and technical bid evaluations.
• Mentor junior team members and support the consistent application of design management standards.
• Act as a key point of contact for architectural design matters with internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.
• Significant experience in architectural design management on complex, high-value projects.
• Strong knowledge of design stages, consultant management, and multidisciplinary coordination.
• Experience working on luxury, hospitality, cultural, residential, or mixed-use developments is highly desirable.
• Middle East experience, ideally within Saudi Arabia or the GCC, is strongly preferred.

Required Skills

• Architectural Design Management
• Consultant Coordination
• Technical Excellence
• Design Execution
• Stakeholder Management
• Technical Review and Attention to Detail
• BIM-led design management workflows
• Communication and Report Writing
• Value Engineering, Buildability, and Cost Alignment
• Design Risk Management
• Leading Design Reviews, Technical Workshops, and Gateway Submissions
• Multidisciplinary Design Coordination

Work Environment and Location

This role is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and is offered on a contract basis. Buro Happold provides exposure to a flagship luxury project, offering the opportunity to shape high-quality design outcomes. The company fosters a collaborative and ambitious project environment.

Buro Happold values flexible working patterns and embraces diversity, encouraging applications from individuals who may feel underrepresented in the built environment industry. The company is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees can thrive. Applicants requiring adjustments for the application process are encouraged to contact r@*************************.