Senior Design Manager - Public Realm

Qiddiya | القدية; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 350,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

Qiddiya in Saudi Arabia seeks a Senior Design Manager - Public Realm to lead planning, design coordination, and delivery of public realm across districts and citywide initiatives. You will manage consultant teams, ensure designs align with approved masterplans, Stage Gate requirements, city standards, and the Public Realm Design Manual (PRDM), while mentoring junior staff.

The role requires strong technical knowledge of parks, streetscapes, irrigation, hardscape and infrastructure interfaces,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture from an accredited program.
• 10–15 years of experience in landscape architecture or public realm projects.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary consultants through all design stages.
• Strong knowledge of public realm systems, parks, streetscapes, irrigation, hardscape, softscape, and infrastructure interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Act as Lead Public Realm Design Manager for districts and portfolios.
• Coordinate design development through CMP, DMP, Land Servicing, and detailed design stages.
• Review consultant deliverables for compliance with masterplans, design standards, and technical requirements.
• Support citywide public realm strategies and PRDM requirements.
• Coordinate public realm interfaces with infrastructure, mobility, utilities, irrigation, sustainability, environmental, and operational teams.
• Provide design recommendations to support Stage Gate approvals.
• Monitor programme delivery, risks, and dependencies.
• Support procurement, consultant management, and RFP reviews.
• Mentor junior team members and promote governance.
• Contribute to public realm standards and best-practice solutions.

Skills

Public realm design

Leadership

Multidisciplinary coordination

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture

Job description

Role Required: The Senior Design Manager - Public Realm will lead the planning, design coordination, and delivery of public realm projects within assigned districts and citywide initiatives. The role is responsible for managing consultant teams, providing technical leadership, coordinating multidisciplinary inputs, and ensuring public realm designs align with approved masterplans, Stage Gate requirements, citywide standards, and the Public Realm Design Manual (PRDM), People First Principles, project spirit teams and inhouse design support. The position acts as the primary day-to-day public realm lead for district delivery teams and supports the Public Realm Director in driving successful project outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as Lead Public Realm Design Manager for assigned districts and project portfolios.
• Manage public realm design development through CMP, DMP, Land Servicing, and detailed design stages.
• Coordinate and review consultant deliverables to ensure compliance with approved masterplans, design standards, and technical requirements.
• Support the implementation of citywide public realm strategies, standards, and PRDM requirements.
• Coordinate public realm interfaces with infrastructure, mobility, utilities, irrigation, sustainability, environmental, and operational teams.
• Review design submissions and provide technical recommendations to support Stage Gate approvals.
• Monitor programme delivery, design risks, and key project dependencies.
• Support procurement activities, consultant management, scope development, and RFP reviews.
• Mentor junior team members and promote consistency in public realm delivery and governance.
• Contribute to the development of public realm standards, technical guidance, and best-practice design solutions across the city.

Key Accountabilities

• Delivery of coordinated and compliant public realm design packages.
• Achievement of district programme milestones and Stage Gate requirements.
• Effective management of consultant performance and design quality.
• Successful integration of public realm requirements with wider district infrastructure and development programmes.
• Identification and mitigation of design, programme, and technical risks.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture
• 10-15 years' experience in landscape architecture, public realm, urban design, or large-scale development projects.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary consultants through all design stages.
• Strong technical understanding of public realm systems, parks, streetscapes, irrigation, hardscape, softscape, and infrastructure interfaces.
• Experience working on large-scale mixed‑use developments, masterplanned communities, or mega-projects.