Design Director

Job Description

Parsons is looking for a talented hands-on Design Director (architectural background only) to join our team! In this role you will be an integral part of a team of professionals undertaking the project management of a confidential project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

What You'll Be Doing

Working with the Project Director, you will lead the complete design management for the confidential project to ensure delivery of Parsons’ contracted scope of works. The role requires that you serve as the primary point of contact with the client for all design related activities on the project, directly managing the consultant team to ensure successful completion of deliverables according to the client’s requirements, project brief & schedule, and consultant’s scope of works. Prior experience must include significant hands-on design management experience at Principal Architect or Design Director level.

Specific Responsibilities

• Act as the company representative with the client, consultants, designers and contractors for the complete execution of the design program and Parson’s design management scope of works
• Manage and direct the consultant team to ensure full delivery of contracted scopes of work and seamless coordination between design and construction programs
• Continuously review design program requirements across all areas of the project design to ensure the consultant teams deliverables are simultaneously aligned
• Assign responsibility for component parts of the design program to key subordinates, manage their performance and ensures delivery of assigned components.
• Work cross-functionally with the related project management functions in Parsons team to ensure alignment of design program deliverables
• Oversee review of Management Plans, Baseline Program, Cost & Contractual documents, Engineering & Construction related documents and other documents as required to ensure design program requirements are incorporated
• Lead, direct & record weekly design progress & engineering progress meetings with the design consultants & contractor, and client and interface coordination meetings.
• Monitor the progress of all project activity within the design program, including significant milestones, and any conditions, which would affect project cost or schedule.
• Prepare & update all design program related input for all weekly & monthly progress reports, including identifying all associated risks & opportunities for escalation to the client
• Manage design risks by updating the risk register on weekly basis, liaising with the design consultants & client to develop mitigation measures and escalating issues.
• Negotiate scope of work changes with the client for key consultants, designers and contractors.
• Participate in negotiations with regulatory agencies and in public meetings in support of client as required.
• Work with key project individuals to devise and execute action plans to mitigate potential cost overruns or delays, or to accommodate significant change to the scope of work. Advise the Project Director and the client of any such changes.
• Actively participate in and champion the Continuous Quality Improvement by reviewing processes efficiency, arranging regular lessons learnt and making improvement recommendations.
• Promote technical and commercial excellence on the project through the application of Quality Assurance processes.
• Perform other responsibilities associated with this position as may be appropriate as required by the Project Director
  
  
  

What Required Skills You'll Bring

• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture from a recognized university and minimum of 20+ years of related work experience is required, with a minimum of 5 years in the Middle East or GCC region
• Professional Accreditation with a recognized international industry body is required
  
  
  

What Desired Skills You'll Bring

• Demonstrated proven ability in a management capacity, excellent written and oral communications skills, and a thorough knowledge of industry practices, regulations and international & local design standards is required.
  
  
  

Minimum Clearance Required To Start

Confidential

Parsons is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veteran.