Project Director – Design

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Job Description:

Project Director – Design

Location: Doha, Qatar
Discipline: Civil Engineering / Infrastructure
Level: Project Director

Position Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and highly experienced Project Director – Design to lead and oversee the successful delivery of multiple design projects in Qatar.

The successful candidate will have a strong background in project and design management, with proven experience at Project Director or Program Director level, managing complex multidisciplinary projects through the complete design lifecycle — from Concept and Preliminary Design through Detailed Design and Issued for Construction (IFC).

The Project Director – Design will provide leadership and oversight to Project Managers responsible for individual projects, ensuring consistent delivery in terms of quality, schedule, budget, resources, and client expectations.

The role will work closely with the Technical Director and senior management and will serve as a key interface with clients and other stakeholders.

The portfolio will include major infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, utilities, drainage and other civil infrastructure, as well as multidisciplinary projects where applicable.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Design Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the delivery of multiple design projects.
• Oversee projects throughout the complete design lifecycle, from Concept Design through Preliminary, Detailed Design and IFC.
• Support and guide Project Managers in developing and executing project delivery strategies.
• Review project performance and intervene proactively where projects require additional management support.
• Ensure appropriate project governance, reporting and controls are established and maintained.
• Identify gaps or weaknesses within project delivery and implement appropriate corrective actions.

Project Manager Oversight

• Provide leadership, guidance and support to Project Managers responsible for individual projects.
• Monitor project performance against agreed scope, schedule, budget and quality requirements.
• Assist Project Managers in resolving complex technical, commercial, resource and stakeholder issues.
• Ensure Project Managers maintain effective communication with clients and internal stakeholders.
• Promote consistency and best practices across the project portfolio.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Act as a senior point of contact for key clients and stakeholders.
• Attend and lead senior-level client and project meetings.
• Develop strong and trusted relationships with clients.
• Understand client priorities and ensure project teams respond effectively to their requirements.
• Manage sensitive or complex client issues and support Project Managers in resolving escalated matters.
• Present project status, design development, risks and proposed solutions to clients and senior stakeholders.

Design Management

• Provide leadership for the development of design concepts and multidisciplinary design solutions.
• Work closely with the Technical Director to ensure designs are technically sound, coordinated and aligned with project objectives.
• Ensure effective coordination between civil, structural, architectural, utilities, transportation and other relevant disciplines.
• Ensure constructability, maintainability, sustainability and value engineering considerations are incorporated into the design process.
• Ensure appropriate design reviews, technical reviews and interdisciplinary coordination are completed before major submissions.

Planning & Resource Management

• Oversee the development of project execution plans, design schedules, budgets and resource plans.
• Manage resources across multiple projects and identify resource constraints or capability gaps.
• Coordinate with senior management and discipline leads to ensure projects are adequately staffed.
• Balance resources across the portfolio according to project priorities and client commitments.
• Support workforce planning and recruitment requirements where necessary.

Quality & Technical Assurance

• Ensure all design deliverables meet contractual requirements, applicable standards, specifications and client expectations.
• Work closely with the Technical Director and discipline leads to maintain appropriate technical governance.
• Ensure quality assurance and quality control procedures are implemented throughout the design process.
• Promote continuous improvement and lessons learned across projects.

Risk Management

• Identify and monitor key project, design, commercial and delivery risks.
• Ensure appropriate mitigation strategies and recovery plans are developed and implemented.
• Proactively identify potential issues before they impact project delivery.
• Escalate significant risks to senior management when necessary.

Commercial & Budget Management

• Maintain oversight of project budgets, design costs and resource expenditure.
• Monitor project financial performance and support Project Managers in controlling costs.
• Identify scope changes and ensure appropriate change management procedures are followed.
• Support commercial discussions with clients where required.

Team Leadership & Development

• Provide strong leadership to a large, multidisciplinary project management and design organization.
• Mentor and develop Project Managers and other key members of the project delivery team.
• Establish a culture of accountability, collaboration, technical excellence and proactive problem-solving.
• Encourage innovation and adoption of appropriate new technologies and design methodologies.
• Promote effective collaboration between Project Management, Technical, Commercial and Construction teams.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic, energetic and proactive senior leader who combines strong technical understanding with excellent project management, leadership and client-facing capabilities.

The candidate should demonstrate the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously while maintaining visibility of critical technical, commercial and delivery issues.

They should be comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment and capable of making timely decisions, solving complex problems and providing clear direction to Project Managers and multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from a recognized and accredited university.
• Advanced degree in Engineering, Project Management or a related discipline is advantageous.
• Professional engineering registration or chartership is highly desirable.
• Must meet the applicable requirements for engineering registration/licensing with the relevant authority in Qatar.
• Significant professional experience in civil engineering, infrastructure design and project delivery.
• Proven experience working at Project Director, Program Director, Design Director or equivalent senior leadership level.
• Strong experience managing multiple Project Managers and multidisciplinary design teams.
• Demonstrated experience delivering projects from Concept through Detailed Design to IFC.
• Strong infrastructure background, preferably including roads, highways, bridges, utilities and major civil infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of multidisciplinary design coordination and design management processes.
• Demonstrated experience managing project schedules, budgets, resources, risks and client relationships.
• Previous experience delivering major projects in Qatar or the GCC is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with Qatar authority requirements and approval processes would be a significant advantage.

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership and people-management capability.
• Excellent project and program management skills.
• Strong technical understanding of civil and infrastructure design.
• Excellent client and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic thinking combined with hands-on problem solving.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Strong decision-making capability.
• Proactive identification and resolution of project issues.
• Ability to challenge teams constructively and drive performance.
• High level of energy, initiative and accountability.

Parsons equally employs representation at all job levels no matter the race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.

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