Design Director

Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey.

The project:

This is an opportunity to work on one of the largest programmes in Saudi Arabia. This unique project consists of major mixed-use development including sports facilities, entertainment, and arts along with all associated infrastructure.

As part of the delivery partner team, you will oversee multidisciplinary design across multiple neighbourhoods and community assets, ensuring alignment with programme objectives, buildability, cost certainty, and world-class quality standards. This is a senior leadership role requiring strong design management expertise, stakeholder influence, and the ability to drive design performance across a fast-paced mega programme.

You'll be responsible for:

• Lead safe, high‑quality, and compliant project delivery, championing well-being, inclusion, and adherence to local regulations.
• Direct the design management function, driving strategic outcomes, annual business plans, and strong client relationships.
• Implement robust design governance and shape long‑term business strategy aligned with Mace values.
• Manage a team of senior design managers, design managers, technical specialists, and BIM/digital teams.
• Mentor and develop talent, promoting innovation, best practices, and a high‑performing, inclusive culture.
• Define and lead the overall design strategy for the residential business unit, ensuring alignment with programme vision, technical requirements, cost plans, and schedule priorities.
• Establish governance structures including the Design Management Plan, design stage gates, design assurance protocols, and approval pathways.
• Lead senior-level design and technical review forums, steering consultants toward innovative, efficient, and buildable solutions.
• Drive consistency across multiple neighbourhoods and assets through standardisation, modularisation, DFMA/MMC, and lessons learned.
• Act as the principal point of design leadership across internal delivery partner teams, consultants, contractors, and wider stakeholders.
• Own the design delivery programme, ensuring progress aligns with project controls and master schedule milestones.
• Coordinate with commercial teams to support cost plan validation, change assessments, value engineering, and contract package strategies.
• Support tendering, contractor engagement, technical clarifications, and review of shop drawings and submittals.

You’ll need to have:

• 20+ years’ experience in design leadership on large-scale residential or mixed-use masterplan developments.
• Proven track record delivering major programmes within a PMC/delivery partner environment.
• Degree in architecture, engineering, or a related field.
• Chartered status (RIBA, ICE, CIBSE, AIA, PMI, or equivalent) preferred.
• Extensive design management experience with deep knowledge of building safety, standards, contracts and statutory requirements.
• Proven leadership of diverse teams and effective senior‑level stakeholder engagement.
• Necessary visa criteria for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and have relevant work experience working on high-valued projects/programmes for a project management consultancy business, which are required for immigration and client approval.

Our values

Safety first - Going home safe and well: We champion a safe, diverse, and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of well-being in every team.

Client focus - Deliver on our promise: We own the quality of deliverables and strategic outcomes and build long-term relationships with our clients.

Integrity - Always do the right thing: We influence positive outcomes within our industry while always aligning with our compliance obligations.

Create opportunity - For our people to excel: We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfill all the criteria, please apply, as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.

We are also open to discussing part-time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role.

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