Design Manager - Rail

Mace; Dubai; Hybrid; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working options

Job summary

Mace, a global consultancy and construction expert, seeks professionals to lead design management on major rail infrastructure programmes in the UAE. You will coordinate scope, interfaces and approvals, while aligning with client objectives and project governance to deliver high-quality outcomes.

We value collaboration across clients, consultants and suppliers, with a focus on continuous improvement, safety and sustainability. UAE/GCC experience is a plus; hybrid working options are available.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience in the applicable discipline.
• Experience on rail, metro, high-speed rail or comparable major infrastructure programmes.
• Strong client-facing, analytical, written communication and multidisciplinary coordination skills.
• Knowledge of delivery processes, standards, systems and governance for the role.
• Professional membership, chartership or specialist certification preferred where applicable.
• UAE or wider GCC experience is advantageous but should not replace demonstrable technical and delivery competence.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate design scope, responsibilities, deliverables, approvals, maturity and interfaces across the project lifecycle.
• Develop and implement design management strategies, governance frameworks and delivery controls.
• Coordinate design scope, responsibilities, deliverables and technical interfaces.
• Drive collaboration between clients, consultants, contractors, suppliers and project teams for integrated design solutions.
• Integrate design management with programme, commercial, procurement, risk and change processes for delivery success.
• Monitor design performance, maturity and compliance, identifying risks and opportunities.
• Provide reporting and decision support to stakeholders for governance and informed decisions.
• Ensure adherence to statutory, contractual, quality and business requirements with robust records and controls.
• Champion innovation, continuous improvement and knowledge sharing for client value and growth.
• Support proactive management of carbon emissions during delivery toward net zero goals.

Skills

Rail project delivery

Multidisciplinary coordination

Client-facing communication

Governance & delivery controls

Education

Relevant degree

Job description

Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey.

The Project

The UAE continues to invest heavily in world-class transportation infrastructure, with rail playing a pivotal role in connecting communities, supporting economic growth and enabling sustainable mobility across the country. From major passenger rail initiatives to freight, metro and integrated transport programmes, the sector is creating exciting opportunities for professionals passionate about delivering complex infrastructure projects.

You'll Be Responsible For

• Coordination of design scope, responsibilities, deliverables, approvals, maturity, constructability, change and technical interfaces.
• Leads the development and implementation of design management strategies, governance frameworks and delivery controls, ensuring alignment with client requirements and project objectives.
• Coordinates design scope, responsibilities, deliverables, approvals, technical interfaces and constructability requirements across the project lifecycle.
• Drives collaboration between clients, consultants, contractors, suppliers and project teams, ensuring integrated and coordinated design solutions.
• Integrates design management activities with programme, commercial, procurement, risk, change and assurance processes to support successful project delivery.
• Monitors design performance, maturity and compliance, identifying risks, opportunities and corrective actions to optimise outcomes.
• Provides accurate reporting, performance insights and decision support to stakeholders, enabling effective governance and informed decision-making.
• Ensures adherence to statutory, contractual, quality and business requirements, maintaining robust records, controls and audit trails throughout delivery.
• Champions innovation, continuous improvement, knowledge sharing and service excellence, creating value for clients and supporting sustainable business growth.
• Works collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition and share responsibility for the proactive identification and management of the associated carbon emissions and reductions during the delivery of work.

You'll Need To Have

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience in the applicable discipline.
• Demonstrated experience on rail, metro, high-speed rail or comparable major infrastructure programmes.
• Strong client-facing, analytical, written communication and multidisciplinary coordination skills.
• Knowledge of relevant delivery processes, standards, systems and governance for the role.
• Professional membership, chartership or specialist certification preferred where applicable.
• UAE or wider GCC experience is advantageous but should not replace demonstrable technical and delivery competence.

Our values

Safety first - Going home safe and well: We champion a safe, diverse, and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of well-being in every team.

Client focus - Deliver on our promise: We own the quality of deliverables and strategic outcomes and build long-term relationships with our clients.

Integrity - Always do the right thing: We influence positive outcomes within our industry while always aligning with our compliance obligations.

Create opportunity - For our people to excel: We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfill all the criteria,

We are also open to discussing part-time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role.