Design Director

Summary

Join AtkinsRéalis as a Design Director in KSA and lead the creation of neighborhood master plans and architectural designs for THE LINE. You will oversee a team of design consultants, manage design quality and compliance, and ensure projects meet budget and deadlines. The role involves coordinating with various stakeholders, including city-level designers and NEOM teams. You will be responsible for the design of a precinct encompassing approximately 1,000,000 m² of assets, allocating time across two neighborhoods and NEOM business responsibilities. This position requires extensive experience in architectural design and management, strong leadership skills, and proficiency in various design software. AtkinsRéalis offers a competitive compensation package including a tax-free salary, comprehensive insurance, generous leave, and relocation assistance.

Requirements

• Excellent conceptual and design skills, with emphasis on aesthetics
• Fluent in writing and speaking English, spoken and written
• Ability to negotiate
• Flexibility and attitude towards company objectives
• Cordial relationships with clients and stakeholders
• Commitment to innovation and design excellence
• Solid knowledge of products, materials, zoning/building codes and construction methods
• A keen eye for attention to detail and accuracy
• Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to take initiative in response to direction from project managers, directors and partners
• A team player, with a flexible and open attitude towards new ways of working and collaborating
• Understanding of financial and commercial management of projects
• Full understanding of risk management and ability to transmit the same to others
• Understanding of scope definition, interface and ability to transmit the same to others
• Full knowledge of international standards, policies, codes and procedures and ability to transmit the same to others
• Full knowledge of Statutory Authorities requirements
• Knowledge of international and local codes, regulations and submission requirements
• Developed knowledge of Sustainable Design principles
• Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills, communication with clarity, purpose and accuracy
• Strong organizational skills, ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines on budget and on time
• Strong leadership skills
• Attention to detail and a methodical approach to work
• Outstanding presentation skills
• Excellent ability in Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, Adobe Suite; Grasshopper and V-Ray is a plus
• 25+ years of post-graduate outstanding architectural design and management experience
• Proven related experience in an Architectural Practice, including management of international design consultants across sectors and typologies
• Experience working in signature architecture design studios
• Design experience in various architectural types: residential, mixed use, commercial, public, healthcare, educational, etc
• Experience and extensive knowledge on design and construction materials and their application
• Design experience of public realm design and application
• Extensive project experience with emphasis on large projects and programs
• B.Arch or B.Sc. in Architecture from a recognized university
• Postgraduate in Architecture or Urban Design
• International accreditation (RIBA, AIA, or equivalent)

Responsibilities

• Design Management Coordination on Precinct-level, including Core Real Estate Asset Design, Non-Common Asset Design, Façade Design, Sustainability, and Public Realm Design
• Manage design in terms of creative quality, technical quality, and compliance with processes and procedures
• Compliance with Development Control Regulations (DCR's), and with Design KPIs
• Manage Risk Register, and Safety in Design Register
• Design Review: Sign-off on Stage Review comments and responses close-out
• Day-to-day Coordination with City-level Designers
• Design quality management across Precinct level, based on city-level context/understanding
• Lead the design delivery from concept through schematic design for various architectural Asset types, residential, hospitality, commercial, retail, healthcare, education, culture, etc
• Oversee the management of Neighborhood master planning, architectural, and engineering design consultants, and understand significance of Public Realm design
• Commitment to innovation and design excellence
• Ensure creative and technical Quality of design and implementation of the Vision for The LINE
• Coordination with other Design Directors on interfaces across multiple neighborhoods
• In coordination with Creative Design Director and Design Management Director, manage Critical Technical Interfaces and determine solutions for these technical interfaces: of Neighborhoods with City-level designers and Urban Designers. between Neighborhoods. of Neighborhoods with Anchor Assets
• Sign-off on compliance with Procedures, e.g., Risk Register etc
• Collaborate with Cost Consultants to ensure emerging designs are meeting budget targets
• Manage Design and Asset Brief compliance, completeness, and accuracy, including design coordination within architectural designs across disciplines
• Ensure delivery of design through the NEOM Plan of Works and THE LINE Plans and Procedures
• Collaborate with THE LINE Development and THE LINE Projects Neighborhood teams, to ensure integrated delivery
• Primary point-of-contact for project leadership, and escalation point-of-contact for Design Consultants
• Escalation point for Design Consultants
• Develop THE LINE architecture design and ensure implementation across the module
• Responsible as part of the senior management team for delivering THE LINE Design Management mandate, including stakeholder engagement internally and externally
• Managing the design by creative approach and aesthetic design
• Design delivery from concept design to completion
• Responsible to deliver the design of various architectural typologies: residential, mixed use, commercial, public, healthcare, educational, civic and cultural, etc
• Manage architectural design consultants to deliver NEOM architectural content and context
• Strong ability to prepare, develop and edit drawings and presentations
• Supervise the production of visualization, pre-concept, concept, developed and detailed design
• Acts as Lead reviewer of qualitative architectural design review process, providing analysis, comment, and recommendation to executive management
• Management and oversight of Senior Architects, Architects, Designers within the department and across different sectors/departments
• Draft comprehensive architectural sets from concept until detailed design documents
• Manage Design and Asset Brief compliance, completeness and accuracy, including design coordination within architecture and across disciplines
• Lead, develop and review design asset briefs
• Prepare SoW, specifications, reports and related data tables
• Lead and develop design manuals, standard design documents
• Manage preparation of and check materials schedules and sample boards and mock-ups
• Manage preparation of and check FF&E schedules and sourcing, including samples and mock-ups as appropriate
• Understanding materiality and its specifications
• Understanding Public realm design and application
• Technical detailing and construction administration experience
• Ability to solve design issues in a creative and pragmatic way by developing multiple design options that meet the design approach and budget
• Manage communication, coordination, and management of consultants, contractors, various NEOM departments/sectors
• Produce deliverables in accordance with NEOM standards and policies
• Prepare and deliver presentations, reports, and other communication materials tailored to stakeholder needs
• Ensure that all stakeholder engagement activities comply with the relevant regulations and ethical standards
• Utilize data analytics to drive strategies and decisions
• Embrace NEOM’s culture and Values
• Act with honesty and integrity by following best practices, and upholding the robust standards and expectations set out in NEOM’s Code of Conduct
• Maintain fair, ethical and professional work practices in accordance with NEOM’s Values and Code of Conduct
• Adhere to NEOM’s Policies, procedures, and controls to ensure compliance with rules

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in Middle East is appreciated

Benefits

• Tax-free salary
• Comprehensive life insurance coverage
• Premium medical insurance coverage
• Generous annual leave balance
• Remote work opportunities outside of country
• Flexible/hybrid work solutions
• Company gratuity scheme
• Discretionary bonus program
• Annual flight contribution
• Relocation assistance
• Transportation & housing allowances: Available for remote work locations
• Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, as well as personal health, fitness, and nutrition consulting