Summary
Retal Urban Development is seeking a Senior Design Delivery Director to lead design delivery across its development portfolio in Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The role oversees multidisciplinary teams, external consultants, design governance, budgets, quality, risk, regulatory approvals, and design support during construction. Candidates should have a relevant bachelor's degree and at least 15 years of experience, including 8–10 years in senior leadership roles. Fluent English is required, and Arabic proficiency is preferred.
The posting
As published on retal.com.sa. Pulled from the employer's site and shown as they wrote it.
Job Purpose
The Senior Design Delivery Director is an executive leadership role responsible for directing and governing the end-to-end design delivery function across Retal Urban Development Company's portfolio of residential, mixed-use, hospitality, commercial, and master-planned development projects. The role ensures the successful planning, coordination, management, and delivery of all design activities from project inception through construction completion.
The Senior Design Delivery Director leads multidisciplinary design teams, manages external consultants, establishes design governance frameworks, drives value optimization, ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, and aligns design outcomes with Retal's strategic, financial, operational, and market objectives. The position serves as the key interface between executive management, development, project delivery, consultants, and key stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered efficiently, cost-effectively, and to the highest standards of quality, innovation, sustainability, and customer value.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
1. Design Delivery Leadership
Lead and oversee the design delivery function across multiple large-scale developments and project portfolios.
Establish and implement design delivery strategies, standards, governance frameworks, and best practices.
Ensure design programs support project schedules, commercial objectives, and development strategies.
2. Portfolio Management
Direct the design execution of multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and business goals.
Monitor overall portfolio performance, design progress, resource allocation, and risk exposure.
3. Design Governance & Quality Assurance
Establish design review and approval processes across all project stages.
Ensure consistency, quality, innovation, functionality, constructability, and customer-focused outcomes.
Chair executive design review committees and gateway approval processes.
4. Strategic Design Management
Guide project teams during concept design, schematic design, detailed design, tender documentation, and construction phases.
Ensure design solutions align with market demands, customer expectations, operational requirements, and investment objectives.
5. Consultant & Stakeholder Management
Lead the selection, appointment, and performance management of architects, engineers, urban designers, and specialist consultants.
Foster collaborative relationships with government authorities, utility providers, investors, strategic partners, and key stakeholders.
6. Budget & Commercial Oversight
Oversee design budgets and consultant contracts across the project portfolio.
Ensure effective cost control and optimization throughout the design lifecycle.
Monitor design-related expenditures and provide executive-level reporting.
7. Value Engineering & Optimization
Drive value engineering initiatives to achieve optimal balance between quality, functionality, cost, sustainability, and operational efficiency.
Identify innovative solutions that improve project feasibility and financial performance.
8. Design Risk Management
Identify, assess, and mitigate design-related risks affecting cost, schedule, quality, approvals, and constructability.
Ensure proactive resolution of design conflicts and project delivery challenges.
9. Regulatory & Code Compliance
Ensure full compliance with Saudi Building Code, municipal regulations, zoning requirements, planning guidelines, and relevant industry standards.
Maintain effective relationships with regulatory authorities to facilitate timely approvals.
10. Cross-Functional Collaboration
Collaborate closely with Development, Project Delivery, Construction, Commercial, Procurement, Sales, Marketing, and Asset Management teams.
Ensure seamless coordination between design development and project execution activities.
11. Construction Design Support
Provide executive oversight of design support during construction.
Ensure timely resolution of design-related issues, technical queries, variations, and site challenges.
12. Sustainability & Innovation
Lead the integration of sustainability, smart technologies, ESG objectives, and innovative design practices across all developments.
Promote environmentally responsible and future-ready development solutions.
13. Organizational Leadership
Build, lead, mentor, and develop high-performing design delivery teams.
Establish talent development programs, succession planning initiatives, and performance management frameworks.
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, excellence, and continuous improvement.
14. Executive Reporting & Communication
Prepare and deliver executive-level presentations, strategic reports, and project updates to senior leadership, board members, investors, and stakeholders.
Communicate portfolio performance, key risks, opportunities, and strategic recommendations.
15. Cultural & Market Alignment
Ensure all developments reflect Saudi Arabian cultural values, regulatory requirements, customer expectations, and market trends.
Support Retal's vision of delivering innovative and sustainable communities.
Key Competencies
Leadership & Strategy
Executive Leadership
Portfolio & Program Management
Strategic Planning
Organizational Development
Stakeholder Engagement
Change Management
Technical & Delivery
Design Delivery Management
Architectural Design Leadership
Multidisciplinary Coordination
Design Governance
Construction Administration
Quality Assurance & Quality Control
Design Risk Management
Value Engineering
Commercial & Financial
Budget Management
Cost Optimization
Contract Management
Consultant Management
Commercial Awareness
Financial Acumen
Regulatory & Compliance
Saudi Building Code
Municipal Regulations
Planning & Zoning Requirements
Regulatory Approvals Management
Communication
Executive Presentation Skills
Negotiation & Influencing
Client Relationship Management
Written & Verbal Communication
Digital Tools
AutoCAD
Revit
BIM Platforms
SketchUp
Navisworks
Microsoft Project
Primavera P6
Power BI (Preferred)
Experience & Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Architectural Engineering, or a related discipline.
Master's Degree in Architecture, Urban Design, Project Management, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred.
Professional Experience
Minimum 15+ years of progressive experience in architectural design, design management, and project delivery.
Minimum 8-10 years in senior leadership positions overseeing large-scale development projects and multidisciplinary design teams.
Proven track record in delivering major residential, mixed-use, commercial, hospitality, or master-planned community projects.
Extensive experience managing international and local design consultants.
Certifications (Preferred)
PMP (Project Management Professional)
RIBA, AIA, or equivalent professional registration
LEED AP, WELL AP, ESTIDAMA, or equivalent sustainability certification
PMI-PgMP or other executive program management certifications
Language Requirements
Fluent in English (Written & Spoken).
Arabic proficiency is highly preferred.
Reporting Line
Reports To: Chief Projects Delivery Officer (CPDO)
Direct Reports
Design Managers
Senior Design Managers
Design Delivery Managers
BIM Managers
Design Coordinators
Specialist Technical Leads