Summary
Mace is seeking an Associate Director, MEP for a major mixed-use development programme in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The role leads MEP design, technical assurance, procurement coordination and consultant performance from concept through construction-ready delivery. Responsibilities include reviewing designs and submissions, managing project risks and approvals, and coordinating multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders. Applicants should have a relevant bachelor’s degree and 10–15+ years of MEP management experience; PMP and professional registration are advantageous.
The posting
As published on macegroup.com. Pulled from the employer's site and shown as they wrote it.
Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey.
The project:
This is an opportunity to work on one of the largest programmes in Saudi Arabia. This unique project consists of major mixed-use development including sports facilities, entertainment, and arts along with all associated infrastructure.
Mace is one of the delivery partners requiring high-calibre and experienced professionals to lead integrated teams throughout each phase of the project.
Manage MEP technical excellence across the commercial offices business unit, translating vision into investment-ready assets. Provide specialist design assurance, coordinate multidisciplinary consultants, drive compliance, sustainability and smart building outcomes, optimise value, manage performance and support stakeholder approvals from concept through to construction-ready delivery.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Champion safety first, ensuring compliance with HSE standards while fostering wellbeing, inclusion and a positive safety culture.
- Manage end-to-end project delivery, maintaining quality systems and supporting senior leaders to achieve programme milestones.
- Oversee budgets, risks and ethical governance, contributing to long-term business sustainability.
- Lead collaborative project teams, driving performance, stakeholder engagement and best practice innovation across all phases.
- Oversee safety, wellbeing and leadership values.
- Lead MEP design, assurance, procurement and technical coordination.
- Drive consultant performance, compliance, risk mitigation and approvals.
- Build collaborative teams, monitor milestones and deliver coordinated, high-quality outcomes.
- Provides MEP leadership to design team(s) managing the design(s), coordinating technical, procurement, commercial, risk and opportunities management across MEP systems and interfaces.
- Supports the design team(s) in undertaking technical design reviews to ensure compliance with all project requirements and strategy, project, design and development briefs.
- Supports the design managers in coordination with external consultants through design stages ensuring conformity to the project stated objectives, in line with stage gate approval process, and provides recommendations.
- Reviews outputs of design consultants, including related design documentation, to ensure compliance with all project requirements and strategy, project, design and development briefs.
- Manages coordination and collaboration between development, delivery, construction, consultants, contractors and authorities to ensure early identification of design risk and proposal of mitigating strategies.
- Ensures all design and development teams maintain strict compliance with industry standards, codes, required regulations and framework, regulations and COBU design technical, sustainability, and smart building guidelines to guarantee the success of the project.
- Assesses the Consultants and Contractors MEP submittals to ensure conformity to the specifications including correct processes and procedures.
- Manages functional MEP review and reporting on progress of design/engineering deliverables based on agreed milestone gates and earned value.
- Acts as MEP technical liaison including design matters relating to contracting, procurement and requisitions.
You’ll need to have:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture or construction management, project management or relevant field of study.
- A master’s degree would be an advantage.
- Professional registration in the respective discipline (or similar – i.e. Chartered Engineer) would be an advantage
- Registration as a Project Management Professional (PMP) would be an advantage.
- 10–15+ years of MEP management experience, including senior design leadership on large-scale commercial office or mixed-use developments.
- Experience in leading a design team to deliver to program, balancing competing requirements on project to deliver design outcome (e.g. cost v. time v. quality).
- Expert knowledge of local and international design standards, codes and regulations.
- Previous KSA/Middle East experience preferred
- Track record delivering BCO Grade A/investment-grade office towers or business park product from concept through to handover.
- Strong command of design review processes, authority approval pathways and international best practice in commercial office design.
- Experience managing multi-disciplinary international consultant teams (architecture, structure, MEP, facade, sustainability).
- Excellent stakeholder management and executive presentation skills; comfortable operating in a fast-paced, giga-project delivery environment
- Major program experience – managing multiple projects, conflicting priorities, and stakeholders.
- Supports team through periods of business change.
- Provides strategic oversight and guidance in managing and prioritizing the workload, deadline-driven and ability to optimize workload.
- Leverage exceptional written and verbal skills in English – articulate ideas, strategies, and project performance to a range of audiences and to influence at senior levels.
- Leverage in-depth knowledge of enterprise-level digital design solutions and applications.
- Strong leadership skills to inspire large, diverse teams and deliver results.
- Strategic thinker with excellent leadership skills and the ability to lead the function's direction, specifically endorsing or opposing practices as needed.
Our values
Safety first - Going home safe and well: We champion a safe, diverse, and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of well-being in every team.
Client focus - Deliver on our promise: We own the quality of deliverables and strategic outcomes and build long-term relationships with our clients.
Integrity - Always do the right thing: We influence positive outcomes within our industry while always aligning with our compliance obligations.
Create opportunity - For our people to excel: We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop.
Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfill all the criteria, please apply, as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.
We are also open to discussing part-time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role.
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