Design Director

Job description / Role

Design Director (NEOM - Saudi Arabia)

Role Purpose:
The Design Director will lead and manage the design of various assets related to The Line project. The role involves overseeing a design team, coordinating plans and schedules, and ensuring the successful execution of design work across projects of all scales.

Key accountabilities
• Responsible for design quality and vision
• Accountable for Delivery of design through Plan of Works
• Single point of contact for project Leadership
• Escalation point for Design Consultants

Role and responsibilities:
• Develop THE LINE architecture design and ensures 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
• Manages 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
• Manages preparation of and checks materials schedules and sample boards and mock-ups
• Manages preparation of and checks 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 designs 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.

Background, Skills & Qualifications:

Knowledge:
• Exceptional conceptual and design skills with a focus on aesthetics.
• Proficiency in both written and spoken English.
• Strong negotiation skills and adaptability towards company objectives.
• Expertise in design innovation and excellence.
• Solid knowledge of products, materials, zoning/building codes, and construction methods.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proactive and self-motivated with the ability to take initiative.
• Team player with a flexible attitude towards collaboration.
• Understanding of financial and commercial project management.
• Full knowledge of risk management, scope definition, and international standards, policies, and codes.
• Knowledge of statutory authority requirements and sustainable design principles.

Skills:
• Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal communication.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Proficient in Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, Adobe Suite; Grasshopper and V-Ray are a plus.
• Outstanding presentation and leadership skills.

Experience:
• 25+ years of post-graduate architectural design and management experience.
• Proven experience in architectural practices, managing international design consultants.
• Experience in signature architecture design studios and various architectural types.
• Extensive knowledge of design and construction materials, public realm design, and large-scale project management.
• Middle East experience preferred.

Qualifications:
• B. Architecture or B.Sc. in Architecture from a recognized university.
• Postgraduate degree in Architecture or Urban Design.
• International accreditation (RIBA, AIA, or equivalent).

About the Company

Westlakes Recruit is an independently owned UK & Dubai recruitment consultancy focused on the Engineering and Construction industries highly regulated sectors.

We are a fast growing business with a steadfast strategy of discipline led recruitment, structured around three core areas: • Project Controls – planning, cost, estimating, risk • Professional Services - Engineering & Technical, Project & Programme Management, HSEQ • Commercial services and Construction Claims – Commercial, Procurement, Delay and Quantum Analysts