Head of Design Department

About this opportunity

Department & Resource Management Lead and oversee design production across all active infrastructure projects. Allocate Design Project Managers (DPMs), engineers, and technical teams based on project requirements and priorities. Optimize resource utilization and resolve cross-project resource conflicts. Establish efficient departmental workflows and design delivery processes. Team Leadership & Management Directly manage, mentor, and evaluate Design Project Managers and senior technical staff. Provide guidance on project delivery, technical challenges, and complex engineering decisions. Monitor team performance, workload, productivity, and delivery timelines. Develop and maintain a high-performing technical design team. Technical Governance & Quality Control Establish and maintain robust design procedures, checking processes, and QA/QC systems. Ensure consistency and standardization across design deliverables. Review technical outputs to ensure compliance with applicable standards, specifications, and regulatory requirements. Promote continuous improvement in design processes, quality, and technical performance. Project & Technical Intervention Act as Technical Director or Technical Manager on critical, high-value, high-risk, or technically complex infrastructure projects. Provide senior-level technical input and intervention where required. Support project teams in resolving complex engineering and design issues. Ensure technical risks are identified, managed, and appropriately addressed. Commercial & Client Support Support the preparation of technical proposals, expressions of interest, and bids. Participate in technical presentations and client meetings. Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and key stakeholders. Provide technical input to support business development, client retention, and future project opportunities. 15+ years of progressive engineering and design leadership experience. Experience must be gained strictly within an engineering design consultancy or professional-services environment . Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline. Master’s degree in Civil/Infrastructure Engineering is preferred. Chartered Engineer or equivalent professional engineering certification is preferred. Proven experience managing multidisciplinary civil infrastructure design teams and multiple projects simultaneously. Required Sector Expertise Strong technical and leadership experience across multidisciplinary civil infrastructure projects, including: Roads and Highways Bridges and Structures Urban Infrastructure Drainage and Stormwater Management Hydrology and Hydraulics Flood Protection Water Supply Networks Sewerage and Wastewater Networks Utility Infrastructure Geotechnical Engineering Interfaces Preferred Skills & Experience Proven experience developing and implementing QA/QC systems and standardized design workflows . Strong technical governance and design management capabilities. Excellent client-facing, stakeholder management, and communication skills. Experience supporting technical proposals, bids, and business development activities . Strong leadership, mentoring, and people-management skills. Ability to manage competing priorities and resources across multiple projects. Previous experience in Oman or the wider GCC region is highly advantageous, but not mandatory.