Senior Manager - Landscape Design (DEL2)

Qiddiya Investment Company; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 420,000 - 660,000; Full time

Job summary

Qiddiya Investment Company seeks an experienced Senior Design Manager - Landscape & Public Realm to lead landscape and public realm design across major entertainment and destination developments. You will manage multidisciplinary teams, drive design excellence, and ensure sustainable, deliverable outcomes on complex programs.

The role requires extensive experience in large-scale destination developments, strong governance and consultant management, and a client-side leadership mindset to shape

Qualifications

• Experience leading landscape and public realm design on large-scale destination developments.
• Knowledge of landscape architecture, placemaking and public realm principles across diverse projects.
• Proven ability to coordinate with civil, structural, utilities, transport and MEP disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Lead landscape and public realm design activities across multiple projects, aligned with master plans.
• Champion design excellence, sustainability and guest experience in public realms.
• Oversee technical design deliverables, drawings, specifications and BIM outputs.
• Manage external consultants, reviews, tenders and appointment processes.
• Coordinate across disciplines to ensure timely, budgeted project delivery.
• Support governance reviews, stage-gate processes and executive reporting.

Skills

Landscape architecture

Public realm design

Project governance

Consultant management

BIM and design coordination

AutoCAD

Revit

Adobe Creative Suite

Aconex/ACC

Education

BA(Hons) Landscape Architecture

Masters in Landscape Architecture

Chartered Landscape Architect

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Adobe Creative Suite

Aconex/ACC

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Design Manager - Landscape & Public Realm to play a key role in shaping and delivering world-class landscape and public realm environments across Qiddiya's diverse portfolio of entertainment, leisure, cultural and mixed-use developments.

The successful candidate will combine exceptional design leadership, technical expertise and project delivery experience, with a proven ability to manage complex multidisciplinary projects from concept through to construction and operational readiness. Working on the client side, the role requires a strategic and collaborative senior manager who can champion design excellence while ensuring projects are delivered safely, sustainably, efficiently and in alignment with Qiddiya's vision, values and development objectives.

The role requires extensive experience in large-scale destination developments, including land development and land servicing infrastructure, together with a strong understanding of landscape architecture, public realm design, project governance and consultant management. Experience within the Middle East and familiarity with Saudi Arabian regulations, standards and sustainability requirements are highly desirable.

The Senior Design Manager will act as a key interface between internal stakeholders, external consultants and project delivery teams, ensuring that landscape and public realm solutions create memorable guest experiences, support long-term environmental resilience, and contribute positively to Qiddiya's ambition to become a global benchmark for destination development.

Reporting to the Director of Landscape & Public Realm, the Senior Design Manager will:

Design Management & Technical Excellence

• Lead and manage landscape and public realm design activities across multiple projects, ensuring alignment with Qiddiya's vision, development objectives and approved masterplans.
• Champion design excellence, innovation and creativity in the development of high-quality public realms and immersive guest experiences.
• Ensure design solutions are functional, sustainable, cost-effective and operationally appropriate while enhancing destination identity and placemaking objectives.
• Oversee the review, coordination and acceptance of technical design deliverables including drawings, specifications, calculations, reports and BIM outputs.

Governance & Consultant Management

• Support procurement and appointment processes for external consultants, including technical reviews, commercial evaluations, tender assessments and appointment recommendations.
• Manage external landscape and public realm consultants, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, programme requirements and quality expectations.
• Drive accountability and performance across consultant teams through proactive monitoring, coordination and issue resolution.
• Contribute to governance reviews, stage gate processes and executive reporting requirements.

Project Delivery & Performance

• Oversee planning, delivery and implementation of landscape and public realm projects throughout the full project lifecycle.
• Undertake technical design reviews of landscape and public realm design packages including associated disciplines of Lighting, Signage and Wayfinding
• Develop and implement project execution strategies to ensure successful delivery against approved scope, programme, budget and quality objectives.
• Monitor progress, identify risks and opportunities, and implement mitigation measures to maintain project momentum.
• Ensure critical deliverables and milestones are achieved in accordance with project schedules and business objectives.
• Facilitate effective coordination between landscape, architecture, infrastructure, utility, transportation and engineering disciplines.

Compliance, Sustainability & Stewardship

• Ensure compliance with Saudi Arabian regulations, authority requirements, environmental standards and project-specific design criteria.
• Safeguard the integrity of the approved Master Plans, Design Guidelines and Development Control requirements.
• Promote sustainable landscape design principles, water-sensitive urban design, climate-responsive solutions and responsible resource management.
• Support the integration of native and adaptive planting strategies, biodiversity enhancement and long-term landscape resilience.
• Ensure appropriate design risk management processes are undertaken, including the identification, review and transfer of residual risks to delivery teams.

Health, Safety & Culture

• Champion Qiddiya's commitment to Health, Safety and Wellbeing through proactive management and compliance with all applicable safety protocols.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement and technical excellence.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to the development of internal capability and knowledge sharing.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, consultants and delivery partners to support successful project outcomes.

Required Skills & Experience

Technical Expertise

• Extensive experience in large-scale landscape and public realm projects, particularly within mixed‑use, entertainment, leisure or destination developments in alignment and compliance to approved master plans.
• Strong knowledge of landscape architecture, public realm design and placemaking principles across a diverse portfolio of project types.
• Proven experience in design matters related to wadi corridors, hydrology and climate‑responsive landscape design.
• Advanced understanding of hardscape and softscape design, detailing and construction methodologies, including high‑end podium public realm.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Arabian planting palettes, including native and adaptive species.
• Solid understanding of irrigation systems, water conservation strategies and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS).
• Experience coordinating with civil, structural, utilities, transport and MEP disciplines within complex project environments.
• Familiarity with sustainability frameworks, environmental best practices and certification systems such as LEED, Mostadam or equivalent.
• Proven experience working client side, in a fast passed development environment.

Design, Commercial & Management Skills

• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary design teams and external consultants.
• Strong project and design management, commercial awareness and programme management capabilities.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to balance design aspirations with operational, technical and commercial considerations.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to identify opportunities that enhance project value and guest experience.

Communication & Management

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Confident presenter with experience engaging peers, executive leadership and external partners.
• Strong report writing and technical review capabilities.
• Fluent in English, both verbal and written.
• Collaborative management style with the ability to influence, motivate and support the development of high‑performing teams.
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast‑paced, evolving project environment.

Digital & Technical Tools

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Proficient in AutoCAD.
• Strong working knowledge of Revit and BIM workflows.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (including InDesign and Photoshop) desirable.
• Working knowledge and experience with digital design management, collaboration platforms including Aconex and ACC together with emerging design management technologies.

Alignment with Qiddiya Values and Objectives

The Senior Design Manager will be expected to:

• Deliver Extraordinary Experiences through innovative and memorable landscape and public realm environments.
• Act as a Steward of Place by creating sustainable, resilient and environmentally responsible landscapes.
• Drive Excellence through rigorous technical review, governance and quality assurance.
• Champion Collaboration across disciplines, stakeholders and partners.
• Lead with Accountability by ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently and in accordance with approved objectives.
• Embrace Innovation through the adoption of best practice, smart technologies and forward‑thinking design solutions that support Qiddiya's long‑term vision.

Qualifications

• Degree- BA(Hons) or Masters in Landscape Architecture or directly related discipline such as Urban Design/ Urban Planning
• Chartered Landscape Architect or equivalent internationally recognised professional including‑
• LI- Landscape Institute (UK)
• AILA- Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
• ASLA- American Society of Landscape Architects