Healthcare Planning Manager

Job Purpose

DAR Engineering seeks the Healthcare Planning Manager to lead the planning, design, and coordination of healthcare facilities, ensuring projects meet international healthcare design standards, clinical functionality, and regulatory compliance.

This role demands a strategic thinker with deep expertise in hospital planning, healthcare design standards, and clinical workflow optimization, capable of translating medical and operational requirements into efficient, patient-centered environments. The Healthcare Planning Manager will collaborate with architects, engineers, medical planners, and clients to deliver world-class healthcare projects that align with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s healthcare transformation initiatives.

The successful candidate will serve as DAR Engineering’s subject matter expert for healthcare facility planning — guiding project teams from conceptual planning through detailed design and supporting client engagement, design quality assurance, and compliance with local and international healthcare codes.

Key Responsibilities/Deliverables:

• Lead the planning and functional design of hospitals, medical centers, and specialized healthcare facilities.
• Develop clinical adjacency diagrams, departmental layouts, and functional space programs that enhance patient flow, staff efficiency, and infection control.
• Oversee master planning and design of healthcare campuses, integrating architectural, engineering, and clinical considerations.
• Ensure alignment of design outputs with client operational requirements, clinical workflow standards, and international best practices (e.g., FGI, AIA Guidelines, NFPA 99, and JCI standards).
• Conduct regular design coordination meetings to ensure all disciplines integrate seamlessly with the healthcare plan.
• Manage the healthcare planning discipline across multiple projects, ensuring timely and high-quality design deliverables.
• Collaborate closely with project managers, architects, and engineers to maintain schedule, scope, and budget alignment.
• Review architectural drawings and MEP coordination to ensure functionality and compliance with healthcare planning principles.
• Support project resourcing, scheduling, and progress reporting for healthcare projects.
• Conduct internal peer reviews and design audits to maintain DAR Engineering’s quality standards.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients on all healthcare planning and design matters.
• Lead client workshops, user group meetings, and clinical brief development sessions to capture operational needs and translate them into design requirements.
• Provide expert advisory support on healthcare design strategy, medical technology integration, and operational efficiency.
• Representing DAR Engineering in client presentations, government meetings, and healthcare authority reviews (e.g., MOH, SEHA, DHA).
• Ensure all designs comply with relevant healthcare regulations, accreditation standards, and local authority guidelines.
• Review and validate space programs, room data sheets, and equipment layouts.
• Collaborate with medical equipment planners, infection control consultants, and hospital engineers to ensure full functional integration.
• Guide project teams in achieving evidence-based design and patient-centered outcomes.
• Maintain updated knowledge of emerging healthcare technologies, design trends, and global regulatory frameworks.
• Champion design excellence, sustainability, and innovation in all healthcare projects.
• Promote the adoption of BIM-enabled healthcare planning workflows and data-driven design methodologies.
• Introduce value engineering solutions that optimize cost without compromising patient safety or functionality.
• Develop internal healthcare design guidelines and contribute to DAR Engineering’s knowledge base for healthcare projects.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Healthcare Planning, or related field; Master’s degree in Healthcare Design, Hospital Planning, or Architecture preferred..
• 15+ years of professional experience, with at least 5 years in healthcare planning and design leadership roles.
• Proven experience in planning and designing complex healthcare projects such as tertiary hospitals, medical cities, or specialized centers.
• Strong understanding of clinical processes, medical space programming, and hospital operational workflows.
• Familiarity with Saudi MOH healthcare standards and other GCC authority guidelines.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, Excel, and healthcare planning tools; familiarity with BIM integration and data-driven design systems is an asset.
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Certification in Evidence-Based Design (EDAC), LEED, or Sustainable Healthcare Design is advantageous.

Key Competencies:

• Deep knowledge of healthcare planning principles and clinical functionality.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary design teams effectively.
• Excellent client-facing and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic mindset with attention to design detail and operational impact.
• Proven ability to manage multiple large-scale projects simultaneously.
• Passion for advancing healthcare design innovation and patient-centered care.

What We Offer:

• A chance to work on landmark projects in Saudi Arabia.
• Collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• An engaged and supportive team that are passionate about encouraging each other to succeed.
• Work for a company who values their employees and recognizes their contribution.

We understand that to accomplish our goals, we must work as a team and rely on the efforts of every team member. We want team members to start their day with a sense of purpose and end it with a sense of accomplishment.

To Apply:

If you believe you have the skills, knowledge, and experience to fulfil this role, please submit your application online by clicking ‘Apply’.

Riyadh-based candidates preferred, but relocation support is available for the right talent.

DAR Engineering is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, age, marital status, gender identity, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

What’s Next?

Once your application has been submitted and reviewed, our Talent Acquisition team will contact shortlisted candidates.

Our selection process typically comprises two interview stages per vacancy, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation while providing candidates with the opportunity to engage with two members of the hiring team at each stage. The initial interview is generally conducted virtually, while the final stage often takes place in person at the office, aligning with the role’s location.

That said, we prioritize flexibility, tailoring our approach to accommodate the specific needs of both the position and the candidate.

Thank you for considering a career with us. We encourage you to regularly check for updates and explore future opportunities with DAR Engineering. Best of luck!