Structural Design Manager

The Design Manager (Structural) is accountable for the delivery, quality, coordination, and constructability of all structural design outputs within the Design & Build project. The role has full responsibility for ensuring that structural design solutions meet contractual, technical, statutory, programme, and construction requirements across the full range of permanent works delivered under the project. Reporting to the Senior Design Manager, the Design Manager (Structural) directs and controls the structural design process, manages Technical Coordinators and discipline inputs, and takes ownership of design decisions, risk management, and issue resolution related to structural works. The role provides authoritative leadership to ensure safe, efficient, and buildable outcomes across all structural elements of the project. Department Projects Engineering Section Division Technical Office Direct Reporting Relationships Senior Design Manager

• Design Development (Structural Leadership)
  • Own and control the structural design development across all project stages, ensuring compliance with Employer’s Requirements, contract documents, applicable codes, and standards.
  • Approve and be accountable for all structural design drawings, calculations, shop drawings, and technical submissions prior to issue or construction release.
  • Direct Technical Coordinators and discipline engineers to resolve structural design clashes, omissions, constructability issues, and interface risks.
  • Ensure structural design is fully coordinated with architectural, MEPF, geotechnical, utilities, and temporary works requirements.
  • Confirm buildability, durability, and safety of structural design solutions in alignment with construction methodologies, sequencing, and site constraints.
  • Ensure appropriate design strategies and specialist inputs are applied for complex or high-risk structural systems where required.
  
  Design Management & Programme Control
  • Plan, manage, and drive the structural design programme to meet project milestones, procurement needs, and construction priorities.
  • Maintain full visibility of structural design progress, constraints, dependencies, and risks, and report status and mitigation measures to the Senior Design Manager.
  • Control the structural design workflow, including submission, review, approval, and construction issue of design and shop drawings.
  • Direct coordination between structural design, planning, procurement, and construction teams to ensure timely procurement and uninterrupted execution of works.
  • Escalate critical structural design risks, decisions, and deviations with clear technical recommendations and impact assessments.
  
  Compliance and Quality Assurance
  • Establish and enforce structural design QA/QC requirements, including discipline reviews, coordination checks, and approval protocols.
  • Ensure compliance of all structural design outputs with statutory requirements, authority approvals, and contractual obligations applicable to the project works.
  • Verify that approved design intent is accurately translated into shop drawings, construction documentation, and site deliverables.
  • Lead responses to design review comments, audits, and authority queries, ensuring timely closure and approval.
  • Maintain accountability for the accuracy, completeness, and traceability of structural design records and technical decisions.
  
  Stakeholder Engagement
  • Act as the single point of technical authority for all structural design matters within the project.
  • Lead structural coordination meetings and issue clear technical direction to Technical Coordinators, consultants, and internal teams.
  • Represent the project in client, consultant, and authority engagements on structural design matters.
  • Ensure all structural design decisions and agreements are formally documented, communicated, and implemented in accordance with the approved design workflow.
  
  Research and Innovation
  • Identify opportunities for structural optimization, value engineering, and construction efficiency improvements.
  • Evaluate materials, systems, and methods that enhance constructability, safety, durability, or programme performance.
  • Capture lessons learned and support continuous improvement of structural design delivery and coordination practices.
  
  

• Industry / Domain
  • Design & Build construction projects requiring discipline-led structural design management.
  • Large-scale, multidisciplinary developments with complex construction and authority requirements.
  
  Necessary Knowledge and Experience
  • Minimum 12–15 years of experience in structural engineering design and delivery, including management roles on large Design & Build projects.
  • Proven experience leading structural design teams and managing Technical Coordinators.
  • Strong knowledge of structural design codes, standards, and authority approval processes relevant to the project location.
  • Demonstrated experience managing design risk, constructability, and site-driven design changes.
  • Strong professional proficiency in English, written and spoken.
  
  Education and Certification Minimum Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in Structural or Civil Engineering.
  • Master’s degree is an advantage.
  • Professional engineering registration or chartership is an advantage.
  
  Job Specific and Technical Skills
  • Strong capability in structural design leadership, technical governance, and approval of complex structural systems within a Design & Build environment.
  • Demonstrated understanding of progressive collapse design principles and their application to robustness and risk mitigation strategies.
  • Working knowledge of blast analysis and protective structural design, sufficient to review, challenge, and approve specialist analysis and recommendations.
  • Proficiency in the review and governance of structural analysis and design models prepared using industry-standard software (e.g. SAP2000, ETABS, SAFE, or equivalent).
  • Ability to review and validate structural calculations, modelling assumptions, and design outputs produced by consultants and specialist designers.
  • Strong understanding of construction-driven structural design and contractor-led Design & Build delivery models.
  • Experience with façade structural systems and interfaces is preferred.
  • Sound engineering judgement and decision-making capability under programme, construction, and risk constraints.
  • Clear leadership and communication skills to direct Technical Coordinators and discipline inputs and to engage confidently with senior stakeholders and authorities.