Project and Design Manager

Project Description

• Setec is serving in capacity of Program Management Office consultant.
• The program is a major urban refurbishment in Riyadh, featured by a densely populated and highly built-up area. The program is primarily a “brownfield” development and includes a significant number of heritage structures having historic value.
• Our PMO team is collocated with our client and functioning under a unified team framework.
• We are under a multi-year agreement, with completion of our first year in November 2025.
• The Project & Design Manager leads the planning, coordination, and oversight of design activities within the PMO, ensuring that architectural, engineering, and urban design outputs align with project objectives, regulatory frameworks, and Vision 2030 priorities. The role bridges creative design with practical delivery, integrating stakeholder requirements into compliant, innovative, and sustainable solutions for Riyadh’s urban transformation.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering / Project Management / Architecture or equivalent.
• Relevant professional certifications and memberships (e.g., PMP, AIA, RIBA, IEEE) are preferred.

• Minimum 12+ years’ relevant experience on large urban design and urban refurbishment projects and preferably in Saudi Arabia and the GCC.
• Experience in implementing and assuring compliance with municipal codes and standards, regulatory guidelines for urban development, design protocols and procedures (e.g., AIA, RIBA).

• Knowledge and experience in program and project management, with particular emphasis on municipal codes, standards, and guidelines.
• Knowledge of urban regeneration code, standards, and guidelines respective to urban planning and urban development, including for buildings, infrastructure, health & safety, and environmental compliance, inter alia.
• Proven expertise in coordinating multidisciplinary design teams within PMO or EPC environments.
• Strong knowledge of Saudi regulatory frameworks, permitting processes, and sustainability standards.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with fluency in English;
  Arabic proficiency is an advantage.

• Reports directly to the Program Director within the PMO. Collaborates closely with Interface Managers, Planning Leads, Logistics Managers, and Compliance Officers to ensure integrated delivery of design and project outcomes.
• Serve in senior management capacity for design reviews, value engineering exercises, and smart cities implementations.

• Manage and coordinate all design disciplines (architecture, engineering, urban planning, landscape, utilities).
• Ensure design deliverables are aligned with project scope, schedule, and budget.
• Integrate smart city technologies and sustainable practices into refurbishment designs.
• Develop and monitor design work plans, schedules, and resource allocations.
• Track progress against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and report to PMO leadership.
• Support procurement processes by preparing design-related scopes, specifications, and evaluation criteria.
• Liaise with government authorities, consultants, contractors, and community stakeholders to ensure design compliance and acceptance.
• Facilitate design workshops and review sessions to capture stakeholder input.
• Ensure all designs comply with Saudi building codes, municipal regulations, and sustainability standards.
• Maintain design documentation for audits, approvals, and governance reporting.
• Identify design risks, dependencies, and conflicts early, proposing mitigation strategies.
• Escalate unresolved design issues to PMO leadership with clear impact assessments.

• Design Management Plan and Schedule
• Approved Design Packages (architectural, engineering, urban planning)
• Compliance and Regulatory Approval Documentation
• Stakeholder Workshop Reports and Engagement Logs
• Monthly Design Progress Dashboards