Design Compliance Manager - Landscape

About the Company and Project

Mace combines construction expertise and consultancy to unlock potential in individuals and projects, pushing the limits of ambition. Their values shape their consulting approach and define the type of people they seek. This role centers on a massive mixed-use development in Saudi Arabia, featuring sports facilities, entertainment venues, arts venues, and all related infrastructure. Mace is a key delivery partner seeking seasoned professionals to lead integrated teams throughout the project's phases, currently in construction.

Role Overview

The Design Compliance Manager - Landscape is responsible for independent assurance and compliance oversight of landscape design and public realm works. This includes verifying that all deliverables conform to approved designs, employer requirements, and relevant codes and standards. The role is critical to preserving design intent, upholding quality, and solving design challenges on large, high-profile developments during construction.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate as part of the engineer’s team by independently reviewing, verifying, and approving landscape design and construction documents.
• Lead landscape design compliance activities on site during construction to ensure alignment with issued-for-construction (IFC) drawings, specifications, planting strategies, and employer requirements.
• Evaluate and approve shop drawings, material submissions, planting schedules, mock-ups, requests for information (RFIs), and detailed landscape construction plans.
• Provide site-based assurance for landscape installations, covering hardscape, softscape, streetscape, public realm, irrigation, water features, and specialized landscape components.
• Ensure all landscape works adhere to the intended design, aesthetics, operational functionality, and quality benchmarks, focusing on design-led public realm projects.
• Identify and manage deviations from design, non-compliance issues, and technical risks, working closely with contractors, landscape architects, and design consultants to resolve them.
• Review and approve materials, plant selections, irrigation systems, and external finishes with respect to performance, sustainability, and maintenance criteria.
• Assist in issuing engineer’s instructions, approvals, and design compliance certifications as per contractual obligations.
• Coordinate with contractors, site supervision teams, and consultants to guarantee accurate interpretation and execution of landscape design specifications on site.
• Support regulatory inspections, obtain approvals, and ensure statutory compliance concerning landscape and public realm works.
• Participate actively in mock-ups, sample approvals, inspections, snagging, and project handover to ensure quality, operations, and maintenance standards are met.
• Oversee planting establishment and quality to ensure design objectives are successfully fulfilled.
• Provide status reports regarding landscape design compliance, risks, and construction progress to senior stakeholders.
• Contribute to collective efforts aimed at net zero carbon transition by proactively identifying and managing related carbon emissions and reduction strategies throughout the project delivery.

Candidate Requirements

• Possess a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture; a master’s degree is preferable.
• Hold professional accreditation such as CMLI, ASLA, or equivalent; this is preferred.
• Have over 10 years of relevant experience in landscape architecture or public realm design.
• Demonstrate a proven track record of managing design delivery for large-scale or master-planned developments.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams and managing consultants effectively.
• Preferably possess work experience within the MENA region.
• Exhibit strong stakeholder management and clear, effective technical communication skills.
• Fulfill visa criteria for working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and have relevant experience on high-value projects/programmes, ideally from project management consultancy backgrounds, to meet immigration and client approval requirements.

Company Values

• Safety first: Prioritizing safe, inclusive, and healthy workplaces for all.
• Client focus: Committed to delivering quality outcomes and building enduring client relationships.
• Integrity: Maintaining ethical standards and compliance at all times.
• Create opportunity: Fostering continuous improvement and encouraging personal and team development.

Additional Information

Mace welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and encourages applications even if all criteria are not perfectly met, as candidates may be suited to this or other roles. Flexible working arrangements including part-time and hybrid options may be considered where appropriate within the role. This position is site-based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.