Senior Design Manager - MENA Region

Cundall; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A multidisciplinary design and consultancy firm in Saudi Arabia is seeking a Senior Design Manager to ensure overall project delivery on time and within budget. The ideal candidate will have over 12 years of project management experience, strong leadership skills, and expertise in project delivery methodologies. This role involves managing stakeholder relationships and overseeing procurement processes, with a focus on high-profile projects in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.

Qualifications

• 12+ years’ experience in project management of large/complex projects.
• Strong knowledge of project delivery methodologies (Design‑Bid‑Build, D & B, EPC, etc.).
• Proven leadership in managing contractors, consultants, and multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall project delivery from initiation through design, procurement, construction, and handover.
• Maintain a collaborative relationship with clients and stakeholders.
• Oversee procurement processes, contract administration, and risk management.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Planning and scheduling

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Project

Job description

The Team

Cundall’s MENA has rapidly grown into a thriving, award-winning company for multidisciplinary design and consultancy in Saudi Arabia delivering some of the Kingdom’s most high-profile and complex projects.

Our presence in KSA builds on over 15 years of project experience in the country, underpinned by strong relationships with both public and private sector clients. The Riyadh office plays a pivotal role in Cundall’s MENA network, working in close collaboration with our teams across the UAE, Qatar, and globally. Together, we deliver high‑performance, future‑ready designs that align with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s ambitious transformation agenda.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an established, respected, and growing team that combines deep local knowledge with world‑class expertise. You will be part of a business that values technical excellence, collaborative culture, and sustainable thinking in every aspect of what we do.

The Role

The Senior Design Manager will be responsible for the overall delivery of projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

This role will focus on project execution and management, integrating design, procurement, construction, and handover phases while managing risks, contracts, and stakeholder expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the overall project delivery from initiation through design, procurement, construction, and handover.
• Quickly understand client processes, needs and expectations and clearly communicate this to the team.
• Maintain a collaborative relationship with clients and stakeholders while ensuring that Cundall’s commercial, contractual, and professional interests are protected at all times.
• Be the recognized and trusted point of contact for clients on projects.
• Hold project kick‑off meetings at every stage and ensure that the delivery team are well‑versed in the project deliverables and requirements.
• Develop and maintain project execution plans, including the overall master delivery programme in coordination with the delivery team leads, to support the project delivery.
• Be accountable for the financial out‑turn of projects by managing discipline leads month‑end procedures, invoicing and debt management.
• Day‑to‑day decision making on project progress.
• Provide clear and concise instructions and direction to the delivery team and provide stable project control.
• Manage stakeholder relationships, including client, contractors, consultants, and authorities.
• Oversee procurement processes, contract administration, and risk management.
• Monitor project progress against cost, programme, and quality benchmarks and report to Project Director.
• Chair progress meetings, prepare reports, and raise risks/issues as required.
• Manage change control, claims, and commercial implications of project variations.
• Maintain clear and accurate records and reports.
• Identify and raise internally any performance issues with the delivery teams before the client raises them.
• Act as an initial escalation point on the project when required.
• Work with a degree of autonomy leading large design teams, while recognising when guidance is required.
• Ensure QA procedures are followed by all project teams.
• Ensure health, safety, and environmental compliance during project execution.
• Support lessons‑learned and knowledge transfer for future projects.
• Actively participate in new growth initiatives internally and externally and contribute to the development of internal systems and procedures.

The Skills

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or related discipline.
• 12+ years’ experience in project management of large/complex projects.
• Strong knowledge of project delivery methodologies (Design‑Bid‑Build, D& B, EPC, etc.).
• Proven leadership in managing contractors, consultants, and multidisciplinary teams.
• High‑level planning and scheduling expertise (Primavera P6, MS Project, etc.).
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.

Your career at Cundall

We know that to be the best at what we do we need a diverse workforce underpinned by an inclusive culture. Creating environments where everyone can find joy doing their best work is also great for everyone. That’s why we positively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities, and encourage, support, and celebrate the diverse voices of our people.