Senior Design Manager - Stormwater PMC

AECOM is seeking a Senior Design Manager to lead the management and technical review of design on a major stormwater infrastructure programme in Abu Dhabi. As part of the Project Management Consultancy (PMC) team acting on behalf of the client, you will oversee the design consultants and make sure designs are coordinated, compliant and fit for construction. You will also keep design progress aligned with the programme and budget Lead design management across the programme, from concept through to detailed design, tender and construction support. Manage the design consultants’ performance against the design programme, scope and quality requirements. Review design submissions for stormwater drainage networks, culverts, outfalls, pumping stations, attenuation and retention structures, and stormwater tunnels where applicable. Review hydrological and hydraulic modelling, flood risk assessments and climate resilience approaches, and challenge assumptions where needed. Coordinate design across disciplines (civil, structures, geotechnical, MEP, electrical and control systems), and provide consolidated comments and recommendations to the client. Run the design interface process with utilities, roads, other packages and third parties, and resolve clashes and open design issues. Make sure designs comply with the client’s requirements, the applicable standards and the requirements of the relevant Abu Dhabi authorities and utility providers. Manage the design approvals and no objection certificate (NOC) process, and track submissions through to approval. Lead constructability, value engineering and risk reviews, and assess the cost and programme impact of design changes. Manage the design change control process, and support the commercial team in assessing design-related variations and claims. Support the tender stage by reviewing tender design packages and answering technical clarifications. Prepare design progress reports and present them to the client, steering committees and senior stakeholders. Lead and mentor a team of design managers and engineers, and promote good design quality and safety in design.

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources or a related discipline. A Master’s degree is preferred. Chartered status (CEng, MICE, CIWEM or equivalent) or an equivalent professional registration is preferred. 15+ years of experience in stormwater, drainage or water infrastructure design or design management, with 5+ years in the UAE or GCC. Proven experience managing or reviewing design on large infrastructure programmes, ideally in a PMC or client-side role. Strong knowledge of stormwater design and flood management, and familiarity with modelling tools such as InfoWorks ICM, MIKE, HEC-RAS or SWMM. Working knowledge of the design approval processes and standards used in Abu Dhabi. Good understanding of design coordination, BIM processes and the Common Data Environment. Familiarity with FIDIC contracts and how design affects cost and programme. Strong leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills.

Lead design management across the stormwater programme from concept through detailed design, tender and construction support. Manage design consultants’ performance against programme, scope and quality. Review design submissions for stormwater drainage networks, culverts, outfalls, pumping stations, attenuation and retention structures, and stormwater tunnels. Review hydrological and hydraulic modelling, flood risk assessments and climate resilience approaches. Coordinate design across disciplines (civil, structures, geotechnical, MEP, electrical and control systems) and provide consolidated comments to client. Run design interface with utilities, roads, other packages and third parties; resolve clashes and open design issues. Ensure designs comply with client requirements, standards, Abu Dhabi authorities and utility providers. Manage design approvals and NOC process; track submissions to approval. Lead constructability, value engineering and risk reviews; assess cost and programme impact of design changes. Manage design change control process; support commercial team on design-related variations and claims. Support tender stage by reviewing design packages and answering technical clarifications. Prepare design progress reports and present to client, steering committees and senior stakeholders. Lead and mentor a team of design managers and engineers; promote good design quality and safety in design.