Head of Project Management

The Head of Project Management – Design Services is responsible for leading the Project Management function across all design offices, ensuring the successful planning, execution, coordination, and delivery of multidisciplinary design projects. The role provides strategic leadership to a team of Design Project Managers while establishing project governance, resource optimization, commercial performance, and client satisfaction. The successful candidate will drive consistency across project delivery processes, improve operational efficiency, manage project risks, and ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. This role requires extensive experience within international engineering consultancy firms delivering complex, multidisciplinary design projects across sectors such as mixed-use, infrastructure, aviation, transportation, healthcare, hospitality, commercial, residential, and government developments. Key Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership • Lead the Project Management Department for Design Services across all offices. • Develop and implement project delivery strategies aligned with corporate objectives. • Establish project governance frameworks, methodologies, and best practices. • Build a high-performing project management organization. • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across project delivery. • Support the Vice President in strategic planning and business growth initiatives. Project Delivery • Oversee the delivery of all multidisciplinary design projects. • Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and according to contractual requirements. • Monitor project performance across cost, schedule, quality, and resource utilization. • Review project execution plans prepared by Project Managers. • Ensure effective coordination between Architecture, Structural, MEP, Infrastructure, Landscape, BIM, Sustainability, and specialist disciplines. • Resolve major project issues and escalate critical risks to executive management. • Monitor project profitability and financial performance. Project Governance • Develop standardized project management procedures and templates. • Establish project reporting standards across all design offices. • Ensure compliance with company Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001) and project governance requirements. • Lead project audits and lessons learned initiatives. • Implement project risk management and mitigation strategies. Resource Management • Plan and optimize project resources across multiple offices. • Coordinate with Discipline Heads regarding manpower allocation. • Forecast future staffing requirements. • Monitor utilization and productivity. • Balance workload across regional offices. Client Management • Build strong relationships with key clients. • Participate in executive-level client meetings. • Resolve commercial and technical issues. • Support business development and proposal presentations. • Ensure high levels of client satisfaction. Commercial Management • Review project budgets and fee proposals. • Monitor project profitability. • Manage project change control. • Support contract negotiations. • Ensure commercial risks are effectively managed. Team Leadership • Lead, mentor, and develop Design Project Managers. • Conduct performance evaluations. • Build succession plans. • Promote collaboration and accountability. • Foster innovation and continuous improvement. Qualifications & Experience: • Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or related Engineering discipline. • Master's Degree is preferred. • PMP Certification is mandatory. • Professional Engineering Registration preferred. • Minimum 18–20 years of experience in engineering consultancy or architectural design firms. • Minimum 8 years managing multidisciplinary design projects. • Minimum 5 years in a senior leadership role managing Project Managers. • Experience delivering mega projects and complex multidisciplinary developments. • GCC experience, preferably Saudi Arabia. • Experience working with international engineering consultancy firms. Technical Competencies • Design Project Management • Project Governance • Design Delivery Management • Resource Planning • Risk Management • Cost Control • Contract Administration • Commercial Management • Quality Assurance • Schedule Management • Change Management • Stakeholder Management • Design Coordination • Client Relationship Management • Business Planning Software Knowledge • Primavera P6 • Microsoft Project • Power BI • BIM Collaboration Platforms • Autodesk Construction Cloud • Autodesk Revit • AutoCAD • Navisworks • Microsoft Office 365 Leadership Competencies • Strategic Thinking • Executive Leadership • Decision Making • Business Acumen • Commercial Awareness • People Development • Influencing Skills • Negotiation • Communication • Conflict Resolution • Performance Management • Innovation • Accountability Show more Show less