Senior Project Manager - Design

Hill International; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 450,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

Hill International is seeking a Senior Design Manager in Abu Dhabi to lead planning, design, and delivery of major infrastructure projects. You will guide multidisciplinary teams, ensure regulatory compliance, and manage budgets and risks across the project lifecycle.

The role focuses on roads, utilities, urban infrastructure, and construction management within PMC/consultancy environments, delivering high-quality and on-time outcomes for stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.
• Minimum 20 years’ experience, including at least 5 years in GCC, in infrastructure design and construction management.

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.
• Oversee the planning, design, procurement, construction, and delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects related to marine works, ensuring projects are on schedule and within budget.
• Manage a team of engineers, project managers, and construction workers, providing direction and support.
• Engage with stakeholders to ensure regulatory compliance and positive relationships.
• Negotiate contracts with clients, contractors, and partners to ensure delivery within budget.
• Identify and mitigate risks that may affect timeline, budget, or safety.
• Ensure health and safety compliance and promote a safety culture.
• Manage project budgets and progress reporting.
• Promote continuous improvement and innovation in project delivery.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

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 (Roads & Utilities) / Community Development Projects.
• Strong experience in Roads, Utilities and Urban Development.
• Proven background in PMC / Consultancy and multidisciplinary coordination environments.

About Us

Hill International, with more than 4,400+ professionals in over 100 offices worldwide, provides program management, project management, construction management, project management oversight, advisory, facilities management, and other consulting services to clients in a variety of market sectors. Engineering News-Record magazine recently ranked Hill as one of the largest program management firms in the world. For more information on Hill, please visit our website at www.hillintl.com .

Hill is exclusively a program, project, and construction management provider, meaning we have one focus as a company: protecting client interests. Free of any potential conflicts, our entire business is geared towards helping clients achieve their desired outcomes. We are dedicated to exceeding expectations throughout the entire construction project lifecycle and adapt to the needs of each assignment to develop tailored approaches and solutions to meet those needs.

Hill is a GISI Consulting Group company, part of the Global Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. (GISI) family of companies. Learn more about GISI Consulting Group at www.gisiconsulting.com .

Hill International is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Veteran/Disabled
Note:This job description is intended to provide an indication of the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions to be carried out as part of fulfilling the role mentioned in the job title. Various other duties as required.

Job Info

• Job Identification 15844
• Job Category Projects Management
• Posting Date 10/20/2026, 07:07 AM
• Locations Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates