Arada | Design Manager, Riyadh

Arada; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Arada in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, seeks a Design Manager to lead architectural design delivery across concept through construction, coordinating with development, construction, and consultants to ensure design intent, quality and regulatory compliance are achieved within project timelines.

The candidate should bring 12+ years in architectural design management, strong leadership, BIM proficiency, and experience with Saudi regulations, ideally within a leading developer or international consultancy.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in architectural design management.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale developments (mixed-use, residential, hospitality, retail, commercial).
• Strong experience managing architectural consultants through all project stages.
• Middle East experience preferred, Saudi Arabia experience strongly preferred.
• Understanding of Saudi development regulations and Saudi Building Code.
• Experience with international design consultants and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of BIM and digital design delivery.
• Proficiency in design software including Revit, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design management from concept to construction stages.
• Manage local and international consultants for quality, compliance and timely delivery.
• Coordinate architecture with structural, MEP, infrastructure, landscape and interiors.
• Ensure compliance with Saudi Building Codes and local regulations, sustainability and Fire & Life Safety.
• Drive design excellence through reviews, value engineering, QA, and design optimization.
• Collaborate with Development, Commercial, Construction, Procurement and PM teams to balance design, cost and programme.
• Support consultant and contractor procurement, RFP evaluations, and tender reviews.
• Provide technical leadership during construction, reviewing RFIs, shop drawings and submissions.
• Establish and improve design management processes, governance and reporting.

Skills

Design coordination

Communication

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Decision making

Time management

Commercial awareness

Negotiation

Team collaboration

Report writing and presentation

Location knowledge (Riyadh)

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Adobe Creative Suite

BIM processes

Job description

About us

At Arada, we create communities that inspire healthier, happier and more meaningful lives. Through innovative developments, exceptional customer experiences and a commitment to sustainability, we are shaping places where people can live, work and thrive.

Joining Arada means becoming part of a collaborative, ambitious and forward-thinking team dedicated to delivering excellence across every aspect of our business.

Role Purpose:

The Design Manager will manage the architectural design delivery of assigned projects within ARADA’s KSA portfolio, overseeing projects from concept development through detailed design, IFC documentation, and construction support.

The role will act as the key design custodian, ensuring that design intent, quality standards, commercial objectives, programmed requirements, and development strategies are successfully integrated throughout the project lifecycle.

Working closely with Development, Project Management, Commercial, Construction, and external design consultants, the role will provide strong design governance, technical leadership, and stakeholder coordination to deliver high-quality developments aligned with ARADA’s standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead architectural design management from concept, detailed design, tendering, IFC, and construction stages.
• Manage and guide local and international consultants, ensuring quality, compliance, and timely delivery.
• Coordinate architecture with structural, MEP, infrastructure, landscape, and interior design disciplines.
• Ensure compliance with Saudi Building Codes, local authority regulations, sustainability, accessibility, and Fire & Life Safety requirements.
• Drive design excellence through technical reviews, value engineering, quality assurance, and design optimization.
• Collaborate with Development, Commercial, Construction, Procurement, and Project Management teams to balance design, cost, and programme objectives.
• Support consultant and contractor procurement, RFP evaluations, and tender reviews.
• Provide technical leadership during construction, reviewing RFIs, shop drawings, material submissions, and site-related design challenges.
• Establish and improve design management processes, governance frameworks, reporting standards, and best practices.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Design coordination: integrating architecture with engineering, infrastructure, landscape and interiors.
• Communication: clear written and verbal communication with internal teams, consultants and authorities.
• Stakeholder management: managing expectations across Development, Commercial, Projects, Procurement and external parties.
• Problem solving: resolving technical and coordination issues pragmatically and quickly.
• Decision making: sound, timely design and technical decisions balancing quality, cost and programme.
• Time management: managing multiple design packages and deadlines concurrently.
• Commercial awareness: understanding cost, value and return implications of design decisions.
• Negotiation: negotiating scope, fees and technical positions with consultants and contractors.
• Team collaboration: working effectively within multidisciplinary, developer-led teams.
• Report writing and presentation: preparing clear design reports, dashboards and presentations for leadership.
• Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Working Hours: 40 hours per week.

Experience & Skills

• 12+ years of experience in architectural design management, preferably within a leading developer, master developer, or international consultancy environment.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale mixed-use, residential, hospitality, retail, commercial, lifestyle and master-planned developments.
• Strong experience managing architectural consultants through all project stages from concept to construction delivery.
• Previous experience working in the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia experience strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of Saudi development regulations, authority approvals, permitting processes, and local design requirements, including the Saudi Building Code.
• Experience working with international design consultants and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong understanding of BIM processes, coordination workflows, and digital design delivery.
• Proficiency in design software including Revit, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and related architectural tools.
• Commercially aware with the ability to manage design decisions against cost, programme, and delivery objectives.
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; Arabic language skills would be advantageous.
• Highly organised, detail-oriented, proactive, and comfortable operating within a fast-paced developer-led environment.

Using GenAI in Your Application Process

To support a fair and consistent experience for all candidates, we ask that assessments and interviews are completed independently and without assistance from generative AI tools. This ensures we understand your strengths, your thinking, and how you approach real situations.

Why join Arada?

At Arada, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to projects that transform communities while working alongside talented professionals in a culture that values innovation, collaboration and continuous growth. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Arada is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and make employment decisions based on merit, experience and business needs.