Senior Design Manager

Hill International; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Hill International is seeking a Senior Design Manager to lead planning, design, and delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects in the UAE. You will coordinate multidisciplinary design teams, manage interfaces, budgets, schedules, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring compliance with client requirements and regulatory standards.

The role requires extensive experience in roads, utilities, urban infrastructure, and construction management within PMC/consultancy environments, delivering quality,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
• Minimum 20 years’ experience (Minimum 5 years in GCC) in infrastructure design and construction management for large GCC projects.
• Strong experience in Roads, Utilities and Urban infrastructure; proven background in PMC/consultancy and multidisciplinary coordination environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop policies and procedures related to infrastructure delivery and marine.
• Provide technical guidance to project teams and manage external vendors/contractors.
• Conduct feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses for infrastructure projects.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and standards and manage project risks.
• Oversee planning, design, procurement, construction, and delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects related to marine works.
• Lead a team of engineers, project managers, and construction workers delivering projects on time and within budget.
• Engage with clients, government agencies, and regulatory bodies to ensure compliance and positive relationships.
• Negotiate contracts with clients and partners to ensure effective project delivery and budget adherence.

Job description

The Senior Design Manager is responsible for leading the planning, design, coordination, and delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance with client requirements, regulatory standards, and industry best practices. The role oversees multidisciplinary design teams, manages technical interfaces, project risks, budgets, schedules, and stakeholder engagement, while providing strategic direction and technical leadership throughout the project lifecycle. The position requires extensive experience in roads, utilities, urban infrastructure, and construction management within PMC/consultancy environments, ensuring successful project delivery, quality, safety, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing policies and procedures related to infrastructure delivery and marine
• Providing technical guidance and support to project teams
• Managing contracts with external vendors and contractors
• Conducting feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses for infrastructure projects
• Ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards
• Managing risk and resolving issues that arise during project delivery
• Contributing to the development of strategic plans for the organization.
• Project Management: Oversee the planning, design, procurement, construction, and delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects related to marine works, ensuring that projects are completed on schedule, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
• Team Management: Manage a team of engineers, project managers, and construction workers, providing direction, guidance, and support to ensure that projects are delivered effectively.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with stakeholders such as clients, government agencies, and regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with regulations and maintain positive relationships.
• Contract Negotiation: Negotiate contracts with clients, contractors, and other key project partners to ensure that projects are delivered effectively and within budget.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks that may impact the project timeline, budget, or safety of the project.
• Health and Safety Compliance: Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, promoting a culture of safety within the organization and among project partners.
• Budget Management: Manage project budgets, ensuring that costs are controlled and that projects are delivered within budget.
• Progress Reporting: Prepare progress reports and other communication materials to communicate project status to key stakeholders.
• Continuous Improvement: Promote a culture of continuous improvement within the organization, identifying opportunities for innovation and implementing best practices in project delivery.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the line manager/supervisor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering
• Minimum 20 years’ experience (Minimum 5 years in GCC) in the infrastructure design and construction management within large-scale GCC infrastructure/community development projects.
• Strong experience in Roads, Utilities and Urban.
• Proven background in PMC/consultancy and multidisciplinary coordination environments.