Design Director

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Job Description

Parsons is seeking a Design Director to lead and manage the comprehensive design delivery for a landmark ultra-luxury development project, encompassing high-end buildings and supporting infrastructure. The role involves providing visionary leadership, ensuring design excellence, and managing multidisciplinary design teams across the project lifecycle from concept to IFC stages. The design director will serve as the principal design authority and client interface, driving innovative, sustainable, and context-sensitive solutions while adhering to project requirements and timelines.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the overall design management of buildings and infrastructure packages on a high-profile ultra-luxury development.
• Establish the design vision and ensure alignment with the client’s aspirations, project goals, and development strategies.
• Oversee and coordinate design consultants, sub-consultants, and internal teams across architectural, structural, infrastructure, and MEP disciplines.
• Ensure timely delivery of design packages, maintaining the highest standards of quality, innovation, and compliance with international and local codes.
• Manage design reviews, technical workshops, and stakeholder presentations.
• Liaise with the client, regulatory authorities, and other project stakeholders to obtain necessary approvals and align design direction.
• Lead value engineering exercises and risk reviews as part of design optimization.
• Ensure design deliverables are coordinated, constructible, and aligned with the project schedule and budget.
• Champion sustainability, digital design integration (e.g., BIM), and lifecycle thinking within the design process.
• Provide strategic leadership and mentorship to design teams throughout the project duration.
  
  
  

What Required Skills You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture or Engineering (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum 20 years of relevant experience, with at least 10 years in a design leadership role on large-scale mixed-use or ultra-luxury developments.
• Proven track record in delivering complex, multi-disciplinary design projects in the Middle East region.
• Experience managing design teams across planning, architectural, infrastructure, and engineering disciplines.
• Strong knowledge of local authority regulations, building codes, and international design standards.
• Excellent client-facing skills, with the ability to engage and influence at senior levels.
• Proficiency in design and collaboration tools such as BIM (Revit, Navisworks), AutoCAD, and Microsoft Office Suite.
  
  
  

What Desired Skills You’ll Bring

• Chartered/Registered Architect or Engineer (e.g., RIBA, AIA, PE, CEng)
• Experience with Giga or Vision 2030-related projects is an advantage.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to manage design scope and changes.
  
  
  

Parsons equally employs representation at all job levels no matter the race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.

We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!

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