Design Manager

Market Cities & Places

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

This position is part of a prestigious, large-scale real estate development program located in the heart of Mumbai. The program aspires to set new global benchmarks in sustainability, design excellence, and integrated urban infrastructure. The Design Manager will be embedded within a compact, client-facing program management team responsible for driving outcomes aligned with the client’s vision document.

The role involves close coordination with some of the world’s most renowned international design and planning practices, as well as Jacobs’ in-house infrastructure, sustainability, and urban planning teams.

The Design Manager will lead and coordinate multidisciplinary design activities to ensure timely delivery of design solutions that meet the client’s vision, quality benchmarks, and sustainability goals. Acting as the key design interface between the client, international consultants, and Jacobs’ internal teams, this individual will ensure seamless integration across urban planning, infrastructure, and environmental disciplines.

The role demands strong leadership, deep technical understanding of urban infrastructure systems, and a collaborative approach to managing design excellence within a complex stakeholder ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

Lead, manage, and integrate all design workstreams across urban planning, infrastructure, sustainability, and urban design disciplines.

Translate the client’s vision document into actionable design strategies and ensure outcomes remain aligned throughout all project stages.

Coordinate between international design consultants , Jacobs’ internal teams, and local authorities to deliver coherent and compliant design outputs.

Oversee design deliverables, timelines, and approvals using Aconex , ensuring compliance with program standards and governance protocols.

Work closely with planning and scheduling teams utilizing Primavera to align design milestones with the broader program schedule.

Promote design innovation and sustainability , ensuring that design outcomes set new benchmarks in environmental performance, resource efficiency, and resilience.

Interface with Jacobs’ in-house infrastructure, MEP, transport, and geospatial teams to deliver fully integrated design solutions.

Manage design reviews, value engineering workshops, and risk assessments, ensuring technical excellence and constructability.

Provide proactive leadership in resolving design coordination issues on site.

Support the program reporting framework through design progress summaries, dashboards, and presentations to client leadership.

Here's what you'll need

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in civil engineering, or a related discipline.

Minimum 20 years of professional experience , with at least 8–10 years in large, complex, multi-disciplinary design management roles.

Demonstrated experience in integrated infrastructure or mixed-use urban development projects , preferably in India or other global metro contexts.

Proven track record of managing international design collaborations and client-facing delivery.

Excellent understanding of infrastructure systems , urban design principles , and sustainability frameworks (LEED, IGBC, or equivalent) .

Proficiency in geospatial and infrastructure design software , such as AutoCAD Civil 3D, Bentley MicroStation, ArcGIS, InfraWorks, or equivalent.

Working knowledge of Aconex (for design document management) and Primavera P6 (for design scheduling and integration).

Exceptional communication, coordination, and stakeholder management skills.

Strong analytical and decision-making capabilities, with a results-oriented mindset.

Key Attributes

Strategic thinker with an eye for design quality and technical rigor.

Collaborative and adaptive leader comfortable working in dynamic, high-visibility environments.

Passionate about sustainability, innovation, and design excellence.

Detail-oriented with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

At Jacobs we value people. Having the right balance of belonging, career and lifestyle enables us to consistently deliver and exceed clients’ expectations.
Working alongside industry leaders, you will have the opportunity to develop your career working on key projects in an environment which encourages collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation. To support your professional growth, Jacobs flexible working arrangements, extended leave options and a host of social, health and wellbeing events and initiatives will underpin our commitment to you.
At Jacobs it’s all about what you do, not where you are, which counts!

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via .