Design Director - City - Asset Design Basement

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Job Description

Parsons is seeking a highly experienced and visionary Design Director with over 25 years of progressive experience to lead the design efforts for the critical City - Asset Design (Basement) components of THE LINE project within NEOM. This is a unique opportunity to shape the foundational and subterranean infrastructure of one of the world's most ambitious and futuristic urban developments.

The Design Director will be responsible for providing strategic direction, technical leadership, and oversight for the conceptualization, design development, and delivery of all basement and deep-level asset designs within THE LINE's modular city structure. This encompasses a broad range of underground facilities, including but not limited to, utility corridors, transportation tunnels (high-speed rail and automated mobility systems), complex foundation systems, subterranean public spaces, and other integrated underground infrastructure critical to THE LINE's functionality and livability.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Design Leadership:
• Define and articulate the overall design vision and strategy for all underground and basement-level assets within assigned modules of THE LINE, aligning with NEOM's overarching goals for sustainability, innovation, and smart city integration.
• Lead the conceptualization and development of groundbreaking design solutions for complex subterranean environments, addressing challenges related to structural integrity, environmental control, logistics, and integrated systems.
• Ensure design solutions meet the highest international standards for safety, functionality, durability, and aesthetic quality.
• Technical Excellence & Oversight:
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to multidisciplinary design teams, including civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and urban planning disciplines, ensuring seamless integration of all underground components.
• Oversee the development of detailed design specifications, drawings, and models for underground assets, ensuring compliance with NEOM standards, codes, and best practices.
• Conduct rigorous design reviews and validations, identifying and mitigating technical risks, and ensuring robust engineering solutions.
• Project & Team Management:
• Manage and direct large, complex design teams, both in-house and external consultants, ensuring efficient workflow, resource allocation, and adherence to project timelines and budgets.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-performance design culture.
• Oversee the delivery of design packages from concept through schematic design, detailed design, and construction support phases.
• Stakeholder Management & Collaboration:
• Act as a primary liaison with NEOM leadership, relevant government authorities, and other key stakeholders to present design concepts, gain approvals, and ensure alignment with project vision.
• Collaborate extensively with other Design Directors and teams across THE LINE project (e.g., urban design, architecture, landscape, mobility) to ensure seamless integration of underground and above-ground elements.
• Manage relationships with external design consultants, contractors, and suppliers, ensuring quality and adherence to contractual agreements.
• Innovation & Digital Integration:
• Champion the adoption of cutting-edge design technologies, including advanced BIM (Building Information Modeling), digital twins, AI-driven design tools, and generative design methodologies to optimize solutions for basement structures.
• Promote innovative approaches to construction techniques, material selection, and long-term asset management for subterranean infrastructure.
  

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a closely related field from an internationally recognized institution. A Master's degree or Ph.D. is highly desirable.
• Experience:
• A minimum of 25 years of progressive experience in the design, engineering, and delivery of large-scale, complex infrastructure projects.
• Extensive experience with subterranean construction, tunneling, deep foundations, and integrated underground urban systems is essential.
• Demonstrated experience in a senior leadership or Design Director role on mega-projects (valued at $1B+) is required.
• Experience in smart city initiatives, sustainable design, and highly technological urban environments is a significant advantage.
• Prior experience working in the Middle East, particularly on large-scale development projects, is highly desirable.
• Skills:
• Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and manage large, multidisciplinary design teams.
• Superior communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences, including executive leadership.
• Proficiency in relevant design and engineering software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, structural analysis software, BIM platforms).
• Strong understanding of international building codes, standards, and best practices relevant to deep excavations and underground structures.
• Demonstrated commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability.
  

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

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