Senior Design Manager - Stadiums

Parsons

Dubai

On-site

AED 500,000 - 900,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Parsons is seeking a Senior Design Manager for Stadiums in Dubai to lead design management across architecture, structures, MEP, ICT, security, and venue technology. You will coordinate multiple consultants, manage design reviews, and ensure constructability and compliance with codes and programme.

The role requires extensive leadership, excellent communication, and a track record of delivering large-scale sports facilities.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, or a related technical discipline.
Master's degree is preferred for senior leadership roles.
Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary design teams on large developments.

Responsibilities

Act as the primary interface between the project management team and the Lead Design Consultant.
Lead design management and technical coordination across architecture, structures, MEP, ICT and venue systems.
Oversee design packages, reviews, approvals, and interface management with authorities and contractors.

Skills

Stadium design management

Multidisciplinary coordination

Technical management

Lead Design Consultant management

Architectural coordination

Structural coordination

MEP coordination

ICT systems coordination

Security systems

Fire and life safety

Venue technology

Design review

Value engineering

Constructability review

Interface management

Design change control

Authority approvals

Shop drawing review

Tender technical review

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Architecture

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Senior Design Manager – Stadiums

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Construction

Function: Design

Experience: Minimum 15 years, including 7 years in a lead design management role

Job Type: Full-time

Overview

Senior Design Manager – Stadiums in Dubai is a senior construction opportunity with Parsons Corporation focused on the technical development and multidisciplinary coordination of major sports and entertainment venues. The role will lead design management across architecture, structures, MEP, ICT, security, fire and life safety, venue technology, landscape, and infrastructure while ensuring every package is coordinated, constructible, compliant, operationally effective, and delivered to programme.

Key Responsibilities

Act as the primary technical interface between the project management team and the Lead Design Consultant
Lead design management and technical coordination activities throughout the complete project lifecycle
Monitor the performance, resources, deliverables, and contractual obligations of the Lead Design Consultant
Coordinate specialist architectural, engineering, technology, operational, and venue design consultants
Oversee the preparation, review, coordination, approval, and issue of all design packages
Establish design review procedures, technical assurance requirements, deliverable schedules, and approval workflows
Confirm that architectural, structural, MEP, ICT, security, fire and life safety, landscape, and infrastructure designs are fully coordinated
Manage interfaces between multiple consultants, contractors, operators, authorities, utility providers, and project stakeholders
Lead design workshops, technical reviews, coordination meetings, constructability sessions, and value engineering exercises
Review design reports, drawings, specifications, calculations, schedules, models, and technical narratives
Ensure design solutions comply with project objectives, operational requirements, sustainability targets, and safety standards
Assess designs for constructability, maintainability, accessibility, replacement routes, and lifecycle performance
Coordinate spectator seating, concourses, circulation routes, hospitality areas, VIP zones, athlete facilities, and back‑of‑house spaces
Oversee design interfaces for media facilities, broadcast infrastructure, audiovisual systems, scoreboards, and venue technology
Confirm that security, access control, crowd management, emergency response, and fire and life safety requirements are integrated
Coordinate public‑realm, landscape, transport, utilities, parking, and supporting infrastructure interfaces
Monitor design progress against approved programmes and identify activities that may affect procurement or construction milestones
Develop mitigation measures for delayed submissions, unresolved decisions, authority comments, and technical dependencies
Maintain design risk registers, interface schedules, technical query logs, decision records, and change trackers
Lead the resolution of design conflicts and ensure technical actions are assigned and closed within agreed deadlines
Manage design changes and assess their effect on cost, schedule, construction sequencing, quality, and operations
Review contractor design submissions, shop drawings, technical proposals, method statements, and specialist system information
Support procurement teams through technical reviews of tender documents, bidder proposals, and design‑build submissions
Coordinate with commercial and project controls teams to evaluate technical changes and programme impacts
Ensure compliance with applicable building codes, international standards, authority regulations, and project specifications
Coordinate submissions, technical responses, approvals, permits, and inspections with relevant authorities
Provide design support during construction and resolve technical issues arising from site conditions or contractor activities
Coordinate design input for testing and commissioning, integrated systems testing, operational readiness, and venue activation
Ensure design intent is reflected accurately in as‑built drawings, asset information, operations manuals, and handover records
Prepare technical assessments, design progress reports, executive summaries, briefing papers, and management presentations
Provide clear technical recommendations to the Project Director, Senior Project Manager, and client representatives
Lead and mentor design managers, discipline leads, engineers, architects, and technical coordination personnel

Ideal Profile

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, or a related technical discipline
Minimum 15 years of professional experience in design management, technical management, engineering, or major project delivery
At least 7 years of experience in a lead design management or technical leadership role
Demonstrated success managing multidisciplinary design teams on large and technically complex developments
Experience acting as the main interface between clients, Lead Design Consultants, contractors, and project delivery teams
Previous involvement in stadiums, arenas, sports facilities, airports, convention centers, entertainment venues, or similar public‑use developments
Strong knowledge of architectural, structural, MEP, ICT, security, fire and life safety, landscape, and infrastructure coordination
Proven ability to manage specialist systems and complex interfaces throughout design and construction
Detailed understanding of design reviews, technical assurance, constructability analysis, and value engineering
Practical knowledge of stadium planning, spectator experience, crowd flow, hospitality operations, and venue readiness
Experience coordinating media, broadcast, audiovisual, security, access control, and venue technology requirements
Strong understanding of design schedules, procurement dependencies, contractor submissions, and construction support processes
Ability to evaluate technical risks, resolve multidisciplinary conflicts, and manage design changes
Familiarity with international codes, local authority requirements, sustainability criteria, and public safety standards
Strong leadership and stakeholder‑management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple consultants and workstreams
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong technical reporting and presentation capability
Master's degree in a relevant discipline is preferred
Chartered Engineer, Professional Engineer, or equivalent accreditation is desirable
Membership in a recognized architectural or engineering institution would be an advantage