Summary
SYSTRA is seeking a Project Director – Design to lead the design scope of a major metro project in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The role includes managing multidisciplinary design teams, coordinating technical packages and stakeholders, overseeing design quality, schedule and budget, and supporting procurement and project reporting. Applicants should have at least 25 years of experience and a track record on major metro or rail projects, including experience with FIDIC-based contracts and rail systems integration. The opportunity is part of a project bid submission, and any appointment depends on project award and client approval.
The posting
As published on systra.com. Pulled from the employer's site and shown as they wrote it.
SYSTRA is one of the world’s leading engineering and consultancy groups specialising in public transport and sustainable mobility. With over 10,300 employees, SYSTRA’s mission is to design safe and sustainable transport solutions to bring people together, develop social inclusion and facilitate access to employment, education and leisure throughout the world.
For 65 years, the Group has been working alongside cities and regions to contribute to their development by creating, improving and modernising their infrastructure and transport systems, throughout the life cycle of their projects. SYSTRA is involved from the earliest stages of design through to the testing, deployment and maintenance phases. The company provides all its services in over 80 countries worldwide and generates 74% of its turnover internationally. With its new services, SYSTRA supports its clients and partners in their digital, ecological and energy transition, in order to invent the mobility of tomorrow.
Context
We are seeking an experienced Project Director – Design to lead and manage the full design scope of a major metro project based in Mekkah, Saudi Arabia. The role requires a highly capable leader with deep experience in large-scale rail and metro infrastructure projects, strong stakeholder management skills, and the ability to drive multidisciplinary design teams through all project phases. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that the design delivery meets project objectives in terms of quality, schedule, budget, safety, compliance, and technical excellence.
Missions/Main Duties
This opportunity is being considered as part of a project bid submission and any appointment will be subject to project award and client approval.
- Lead and direct the full design scope of a major metro project in Mekkah.
- Manage multidisciplinary design teams, consultants, and specialist subcontractors.
- Develop and implement the design delivery strategy, execution plans, and resource planning.
- Ensure design outputs are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
- Oversee coordination across civil, structural, architectural, track, systems, stations, depot, utility, and interface packages.
- Lead design reviews, technical workshops, and value engineering initiatives.
- Manage stakeholder coordination with clients, government authorities, operators, and external partners.
- Ensure compliance with Saudi regulations, project specifications, safety standards, and international design codes.
- Direct interface management between design packages and with construction, testing, and operations teams.
- Monitor design progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation measures.
- Lead change management, design approvals, and technical decision-making processes.
- Support procurement activities, tender documentation, technical bid evaluations, and consultant/contractor management.
- Provide executive reporting on design status, key risks, budget, and schedule performance.
- Mentor senior design managers and build a high-performance project delivery culture.
Profile/Skills
- Experience as Project Director, Design Director, or Senior Design Manager on major metro or rail projects.
- Minimum of 25 years experience
- Proven track record delivering complex transport infrastructure projects from concept through detailed design and construction support.
- Familiarity with FIDIC-based contracts and large public-sector infrastructure programs.
- Experience managing international consultants and multi-office delivery teams.
- Strong understanding of station design, rail systems integration, and urban infrastructure interfaces.
- Prior exposure to projects involving tunnels, elevated structures, depots, and city-center stakeholder environments.
Systra is an equal opportunities company; this position is open to all applicants.
Workplace Type
On-site