Design Manager - Landscape Architecture

Job description

The Design Manager leads day‑to‑day management and coordination of landscape and public‑realm design from concept through detailed and IFC delivery, ensuring design excellence, commercial control and interdisciplinary integration. • Plans, manages and delivers projects within approved schedule, fee and quality. • Develops commercial awareness, monitors fee utilisation, scope changes and initiates change‑control. • Prepares resource and deliverable schedules with the HoD and Project Managers. • Contributes to sub‑consultant procurement, scope definition and technical performance assessment. • Leads, mentors and motivates a multidisciplinary team (Landscape, Irrigation, BIM, Visualisation, CAD, Environmental). • Implements structured QA/QC and peer‑review at each design gateway. • Coordinates early integration of civil, MEP and infrastructure requirements. • Ensures designs embed sustainability, accessibility and safety‑in‑design principles. • Delivers complex landscape projects while providing technical and managerial guidance throughout design and construction support. • Delegates tasks, monitors progress, manages risks and reports proactively. • Ensures compliance with internal QMS and ISO 9001. • Represents the Landscape discipline in client and consultant meetings. • Contributes to proposals: scope identification, design methodology, management plans, deliverables lists and budgets. • Maintains formal documentation – meeting minutes, design‑change logs, coordination trackers, risk registers. • Oversees preparation of all landscape deliverables including design delivery plans, reports, drawings, hardscape/softscape packages, irrigation and grading plans, planting strategies, sustainability narratives and material schedules. • Collaborates with HoD and PMs on complex technical challenges ensuring constructability and environmental performance. • Ensures tender and IFC documentation aligns with authority standards (RCRC, MOMRA, SBC, DM). • Develops and tracks deliverables per contract scope. • Keeps current with codes, standards and sustainable design best practices. • Leads BIM integration using Revit LA, Civil 3D, Navisworks, ensuring model accuracy, coordination and LOD compliance. • Reviews sub‑consultant deliverables and coordinates with Architecture, Structure, MEP, Infrastructure and ID teams. • Works with QS and spec writers on landscape specifications, BOQs and cost schedules. • Supports value engineering, tender evaluation and site assistance. • Champions innovation in digital design, visualisation and sustainable materials. • Demonstrates fluent written and spoken English (Arabic where applicable). • Leads client presentations, design workshops and coordination reviews. • Translates technical data into clear visual and verbal narratives for stakeholders. • Builds strong relationships with clients, partners and authorities. • Fosters collaborative, respectful culture aligned with company values. • Maintains high client‑satisfaction scores through proactive service. • Reports weekly to HoD/Management on schedules, deliverables and resource allocation. • Works closely with Project Managers for programme tracking and risk reporting. • Coordinates within the team and across disciplines for cohesive delivery. • Participates in QA reviews and knowledge‑sharing sessions. • Supports development of internal standards, templates and digital workflows. • Mentors team members and contributes to the Landscape Skills Framework through CPD and feedback. • Takes full ownership and accountability for assigned projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from a recognised university
• Professional accreditation or eligibility (CMLI, ASLA or equivalent) preferred
• Minimum 15 years total experience, including at least 3 years in a design‑management role within the GCC
• Comprehensive understanding of landscape design principles, construction techniques and regional authority codes
• Proven success managing large‑scale public‑realm projects
• Proficiency in Revit LA, Civil 3D, AutoCAD, Navisworks, Microsoft Project and BIM 360
• Strong interpersonal, communication and leadership skills
• Ability to manage budgets, prioritize workloads and deliver under pressure

Skills