Design Director - Infrastructure

Overview

Want to work on one of the region’s most prestigious luxury developments? Your experience leading infrastructure design across complex, high‑profile projects might make you our new Design Director – Infrastructure in Riyadh. Here, expect the exceptional. On this landmark luxury project in Riyadh, you will help shape a world‑class destination through the leadership of integrated infrastructure design, coordination and delivery.

The purpose of this role is to lead the infrastructure design function across a major luxury development in Riyadh, ensuring technical excellence, design integration, stakeholder alignment and successful delivery across all stages of design. You will act as the senior design authority for infrastructure packages, overseeing multidisciplinary coordination across utilities, roads, transport interfaces, external works and enabling infrastructure.

• Lead the full infrastructure design strategy and delivery across the project lifecycle, from concept and schematic design through detailed design, tender and construction support.
• Direct and manage design consultants, specialist subconsultants and internal teams to achieve programme, budget and quality objectives.
• Provide senior technical leadership across roads, grading, wet and dry utilities, sitewide infrastructure corridors and authority interfaces.
• Drive design integration across architecture, landscape, transport, utilities, structures and MEP disciplines to ensure coordinated project outcomes.
• Oversee design governance, design reviews, gateway submissions and technical approvals.
• Lead value engineering, buildability reviews and cost validation exercises without compromising design intent or operational performance.
• Manage design risks, changes, constraints and critical dependencies to support on‑time delivery.
• Establish design management protocols, reporting structures, deliverable trackers and consultant performance standards.
• Support procurement activities including scope definition, RFP preparation, technical bid reviews and consultant appointments.
• Act as the key client‑facing lead on infrastructure design matters and present recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Work closely with project leadership, planning, commercial and construction teams to align design outputs with delivery priorities.
• Mentor senior design managers and discipline leads and contribute to continuous improvement in design management practices.

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline;
  Master’s degree preferred.
• Extensive experience leading infrastructure design on major mixed‑use, hospitality, destination or luxury developments.
• Strong understanding of multidisciplinary design management and complex interface coordination.
• Proven ability to lead consultant teams and manage client, authority and executive‑level stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of design stages, technical assurance, authority approvals and construction support processes.
• Demonstrated experience in value engineering, programme recovery and design risk management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write and review high‑level technical reports.
• Highly organised, commercially aware and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast‑paced project environment.
• Experience operating within a BIM‑led design environment is preferred.
• Middle East project experience, ideally in Saudi Arabia, is strongly preferred.

• Opportunity to lead infrastructure design on a flagship luxury development in Riyadh.
• Senior leadership role with significant influence on project outcomes and long‑term legacy.
• Attractive salary and benefits package.
• Collaborative, high‑performance environment with exposure to leading consultants and stakeholders.
• Chance to contribute to a project that will set new benchmarks for luxury development in the region.

Buro Happold values individual flexible approaches to working patterns and welcomes applications from those seeking flexibility in their careers. We appreciate diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds and experiences, and are committed to supporting under‑represented groups in the built environment.