Design Manager

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy committed to delivering impactful work that shapes the future. 

We are a team of over 20,000 experts working across the world in more than 50 countries. We are proud to be part of an ever-changing global industry, delivering transformative work that’s defining our future. It’s our people who power that performance. As an employee-owned business, we invest in creating a space for everyone to feel safe and valued and empowered with the right tools and support. 

Whether you want to pursue excellence in your specialism or broaden your experience with flexible roles across our business, you’ll be connected to a community of global experts championing you to be your best. Join us and shape your story with Mott MacDonald, where everyone has the opportunity to be brilliant. 

About the role: 

As a Design Manager, you will lead project and design management activities for large Built Environment and Infrastructure projects in the Middle East. You will review engineering drawings, design work and infrastructure planning, while coordinating design activities across project teams, contractors and client representatives. 

You will manage day-to-day design review activities, support budget control and reporting, administer technical submissions, and help ensure effective design controls are in place across disciplines. The role will involve stakeholder coordination, risk and opportunity management, design review planning and supporting project delivery through Mott MacDonald’s internal BMS systems. 

Key responsibilities and duties are listed, but not limited to, the below: 

• Manage and coordinate day-to-day design review activities, including stakeholder management, budget control and reporting. 

• Liaise regularly with contractor and client representatives for design review activities. 

• Administer the review of design and technical submissions across project disciplines. 

• Ensure appropriate controls are in place for design review activities, including QA/QC and contract compliance. 

• Control and report discipline progress to the Project Principal and client representative. 

• Identify and report project changes and variations affecting design delivery. 

• Monitor project progress and resource allocation for the design review team, initiating changes where required. 

• Work with discipline engineers and the Project Principal to resolve design issues. 

• Draft and review the design review plan, monitoring its status, adequacy and continuing effectiveness. 

• Identify risks and opportunities associated with design coordination and advise project teams regularly. 

• Support continuous improvement and digital ways of working, sharing knowledge and lessons learned. 

• Demonstrate safe, ethical and inclusive behaviours aligned to Mott MacDonald values. 

Candidate specification: 

Essential 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and/or Architecture. 

• Proven engineering experience in design management, commercial project management and project controls. 

• Experience in the Gulf region. 

• Experience leading design teams, project planning, technical report writing and proposal preparation. 

• Experience within a consultancy environment. 

• Familiarity with international design review standards and knowledge of KSA standards. 

• Ability to manage workload and accomplish deliverables across individuals, teams and projects. 

• Ability to coordinate design activities across large Built Environment and Infrastructure projects. 

Desirable 

• Chartered Engineer, Chartered Architect or equivalent licensed/registered engineer or architect with a recognised authority. 

• Experience reviewing engineering drawings, infrastructure planning and technical submissions. 

• Experience identifying and managing design coordination risks, opportunities and project changes. 

• Experience acting as Project Principal or Project Manager using internal business management systems. 

Your benefits and rewards 

Our benefits vary by country and are subject to eligibility and local policy: 

• Rewards and bonuses: we are owned by our people (no external investors) and through our employee ownership model success is shared through annual bonus opportunities and longer-term participation as your career grows (subject to local plan, eligibility and business performance) 

• Medical insurance and life insurance as per local plan (standard and enhanced coverage may vary by country and policy). 

• Annual leave in line with local policy (competitive within the market). 

• Maternity leave above and beyond local provisions and paternity leave provisions where applicable 

• Professional membership/ institution subscription support 

• Learning and career development through project variety, technical networks and structured development opportunities. 

• An inclusive culture: we’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.