Principal Design Manager

Job Description

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy committed to delivering impactful work that shapes the future.

We are a team of over 20,000 experts working across the world in more than 50 countries.We are proud to be part of an ever-changing global industry, delivering transformative work that’s defining our future. It’s our people who power that performance. As an employee-owned business, we invest in creating a space for everyone to feel safe and valued and empowered with the right tools and support.

Whether you want to pursue excellence in your specialism or broaden your experience with flexible roles across our business, you’ll be connected to a community of global experts championing you to be your best. Join us and shape your story with Mott MacDonald, where everyone has the opportunity to be brilliant.

About the role

This role is accountable for the end‑to‑end leadership and delivery of complex, high‑rise, mixed‑use and luxury developments across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Principal Design Manager provides single‑point accountability for design excellence, integrating design management, technical assurance, innovation, compliance and stakeholder leadership across the full project lifecycle. The role plays a critical advisory position with clients, ensuring outcomes are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with Mott MacDonald governance, best practice and regional standards.

Key responsibilities and duties are listed, but not limited to, the below:

• Lead and control the end‑to‑end design process, from requirements definition through to delivery, including scope, basis of design, risk, quality assurance and statutory compliance
• Act as Design Manager and/or Project Principal, applying Mott MacDonald management systems, QA/QC processes and governance requirements.
• Integrate and lead multi‑disciplinary design teams, ensuring robust coordination, independent checks and high‑quality technical outputs.
• Maintain overall ownership of design solutions, including change control, authority approvals, reporting and escalation management.
• Build and sustain trusted client and key stakeholder relationships, acting as a senior advisor and point of escalation on design‑related matters.
• Proactively manage technical, commercial, programme and reputational risk, while identifying opportunities to enhance value and delivery outcomes.
• Champion innovation, digital enablement and sustainability, embedding future‑ready solutions and applying frameworks such as LEED and Estidama.
• Lead, mentor and develop teams, fostering a high‑performance, inclusive culture aligned with technical excellence and professional growth.

Candidate specifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Architecture (Master’s degree advantageous).
• Chartered Engineer / Architect or equivalent professional registration preferred.
• Significant experience in design management within the built environment, including delivery of high‑rise and mixed‑use developments.
• Proven experience working in the Middle East / Gulf region within a consultancy environment.
• Strong understanding of project controls, commercial management and contracts, including FIDIC
• Experience working to design‑to‑budget principles in collaboration with cost consultants.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management and client‑facing communication skills.
• Arabic language capability is beneficial but not mandatory.

Our Purpose

At Mott MacDonald, our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do; relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients’ businesses, our communities and employee opportunities.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of our organisation. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate, rather take positive steps towards creating a diverse and inclusive working environment.

Flexible Working

At Mott MacDonald, we support our staff to create work-life balance which works for them and welcome candidates looking for career flexibility. We are open to discussing flexible working at interview stage.

We can offer:

• 90 calendar days’ paid maternity leave
• Competitive annual leave
• An annual professional institution subscription
• Annual company performance bonus scheme – Subject to company performance. #LI-SA2