Role summary
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Design Manager - Landscape & Public Realm to play a key role in shaping and delivering world-class landscape and public realm environments across Qiddiya's diverse portfolio of entertainment, leisure, cultural and mixed-use developments. The successful candidate will combine exceptional design leadership, technical expertise and project delivery experience, with a proven ability to manage complex multidisciplinary projects from concept through to construction and operational readiness. Working on the client side, the role requires a strategic and collaborative senior manager who can champion design excellence while ensuring projects are delivered safely, sustainably, efficiently and in alignment with Qiddiya's vision, values and development objectives. The role requires extensive experience in large-scale destination developments, including land development and land servicing infrastructure, together with a strong understanding of landscape architecture, public realm design, project governance and consultant management. Experience within the Middle East and familiarity with Saudi Arabian regulations, standards and sustainability requirements are highly desirable.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage landscape and public realm design activities across multiple projects
- Champion design excellence, innovation and creativity in development of high-quality public realms
- Ensure design solutions are functional, sustainable, cost-effective and operationally appropriate
- Oversee review, coordination and acceptance of technical design deliverables including drawings, specifications, calculations, reports and BIM outputs
- Support procurement and appointment processes for external consultants
- Manage external landscape and public realm consultants, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, programme requirements and quality expectations
- Drive accountability and performance across consultant teams through proactive monitoring, coordination and issue resolution
- Contribute to governance reviews, stage gate processes and executive reporting requirements
- Oversee planning, delivery and implementation of landscape and public realm projects throughout full project lifecycle
- Undertake technical design reviews of landscape and public realm design packages including associated disciplines of Lighting, Signage and Wayfinding
- Develop and implement project execution strategies to ensure successful delivery against approved scope, programme, budget and quality objectives
- Monitor progress, identify risks and opportunities, and implement mitigation measures to maintain project momentum
- Ensure critical deliverables and milestones are achieved in accordance with project schedules and business objectives
- Facilitate effective coordination between landscape, architecture, infrastructure, utility, transportation and engineering disciplines
- Ensure compliance with Saudi Arabian regulations, authority requirements, environmental standards and project-specific design criteria
- Safeguard the integrity of the approved Master Plans, Design Guidelines and Development Control requirements
- Promote sustainable landscape design principles, water-sensitive urban design, climate-responsive solutions and responsible resource management
- Support the integration of native and adaptive planting strategies, biodiversity enhancement and long-term landscape resilience
- Ensure appropriate design risk management processes are undertaken, including the identification, review and transfer of residual risks to delivery teams
- Champion Qiddiya's commitment to Health, Safety and Wellbeing through proactive management and compliance with all applicable safety protocols
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement and technical excellence
- Mentor junior team members and contribute to the development of internal capability and knowledge sharing
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, consultants and delivery partners to support successful project outcomes
Qualifications
- Extensive experience in large-scale landscape and public realm projects, particularly within mixed-use, entertainment, leisure or destination developments in alignment and compliance to approved master plans
- Strong knowledge of landscape architecture, public realm design and placemaking principles across a diverse portfolio of project types
- Proven experience in design matters related to wadi corridors, hydrology and climate-responsive landscape design
- Advanced understanding of hardscape and softscape design, detailing and construction methodologies, including high-end podium public realm
- Comprehensive knowledge of Arabian planting palettes, including native and adaptive species
- Solid understanding of irrigation systems, water conservation strategies and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS)
- Experience coordinating with civil, structural, utilities, transport and MEP disciplines within complex project environments
- Familiarity with sustainability frameworks, environmental best practices and certification systems such as LEED, Mostadam or equivalent
- Proven experience working Client side, in a fast paced development environment
- Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary design teams and external consultants
- Strong project and design management, commercial awareness and programme management capabilities
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Ability to balance design aspirations with operational, technical and commercial considerations
- Strategic mindset with the ability to identify opportunities that enhance project value and guest experience
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Confident presenter with experience engaging peers, executive leadership and external partners
- Strong report writing and technical review capabilities
- Fluent in English, both verbal and written
- Collaborative management style with the ability to influence, motivate and support the development of high-performing teams
- Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced, evolving project environment
Requirements
- Lead and manage landscape and public realm design activities across multiple projects, ensuring alignment with Qiddiya's vision, development objectives and approved masterplans
- Champion design excellence, innovation and creativity in the development of high-quality public realms and immersive guest experiences
- Ensure design solutions are functional, sustainable, cost-effective and operationally appropriate while enhancing destination identity and placemaking objectives
- Oversee the review, coordination and acceptance of technical design deliverables including drawings, specifications, calculations, reports and BIM outputs
- Support procurement and appointment processes for external consultants, including technical reviews, commercial evaluations, tender assessments and appointment recommendations
- Manage external landscape and public realm consultants, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, programme requirements and quality expectations
- Drive accountability and performance across consultant teams through proactive monitoring, coordination and issue resolution
- Contribute to governance reviews, stage gate processes and executive reporting requirements
- Oversee planning, delivery and implementation of landscape and public realm projects throughout the full project lifecycle
- Undertake technical design reviews of landscape and public realm design packages including associated disciplines of Lighting, Signage and Wayfinding
- Develop and implement project execution strategies to ensure successful delivery against approved scope, programme, budget and quality objectives
- Monitor progress, identify risks and opportunities, and implement mitigation measures to maintain project momentum
- Ensure critical deliverables and milestones are achieved in accordance with project schedules and business objectives
- Facilitate effective coordination between landscape, architecture, infrastructure, utility, transportation and engineering disciplines
- Ensure compliance with Saudi Arabian regulations, authority requirements, environmental standards and project-specific design criteria
- Safeguard the integrity of the approved Master Plans, Design Guidelines and Development Control requirements
- Promote sustainable landscape design principles, water-sensitive urban design, climate-responsive solutions and responsible resource management
- Support the integration of native and adaptive planting strategies, biodiversity enhancement and long-term landscape resilience
- Ensure appropriate design risk management processes are undertaken, including the identification, review and transfer of residual risks to delivery teams
- Champion Qiddiya's commitment to Health, Safety and Wellbeing through proactive management and compliance with all applicable safety protocols
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement and technical excellence
- Mentor junior team members and contribute to the development of internal capability and knowledge sharing
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, consultants and delivery partners to support successful project outcomes
Experience
Extensive experience in large-scale landscape and public realm projects, particularly within mixed-use, entertainment, leisure or destination developments. Proven experience working Client side, in a fast paced development environment.
Skills
- Lead multidisciplinary design teams and external consultants
- Project and design management, commercial awareness and programme management
- Analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Balance design aspirations with operational, technical and commercial considerations
- Strategic mindset to identify opportunities that enhance project value and guest experience
- Stakeholder management and communication skills
- Confident presenter engaging peers, executive leadership and external partners
- Report writing and technical review capabilities
- Fluent in English, verbal and written
- Collaborative management style with ability to influence, motivate and support high-performing teams
- Resilient and adaptable in fast-paced, evolving project environment
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint
- Proficient in AutoCAD
- Strong working knowledge of Revit and BIM workflows
- Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign and Photoshop)
- Working knowledge of digital design management, collaboration platforms including Aconex and ACC