Senior Project Manager (Museums/Cultural Institutions

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Overview

AtkinsRéalis is seeking an experienced Sr. Project Manager in Riyadh. This high-profile development integrates heritage, innovation, and sustainability across multiple cultural assets. The SPM will lead and coordinate scope of work for Exhibition Design Management & Construction Supervision on Specialist Museums, Cultural Institutions & Visitor Experience Projects .

Your role

The SPM for Exhibition Design Management & Construction Supervision is responsible for leading the coordination, implementation, and delivery of world-class museum exhibitions and cultural experiences from concept design through fabrication, installation, commissioning, and handover. The role ensures that exhibition environments, interpretive displays, multimedia systems, showcases, graphics, artifacts, and visitor experience elements are delivered to the highest international standards while meeting project objectives, schedules, budgets, and conservation requirements.

The specialist acts as the key interface between museum stakeholders, designers, architects, exhibit fabricators, contractors, multimedia integrators, conservators, and project management teams throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

1. Exhibition Design Management

• Manage exhibition design development from concept through detailed design and execution.

• Review and coordinate schematic, concept, detailed, and construction documentation.

• Ensure exhibition designs align with curatorial narratives, visitor experience strategies, and operational requirements.

• Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams including:

  • Exhibition Designers

  • Interior Designers

  • Architects

  • Graphic Designers

  • Lighting Designers

  • AV & Multimedia Consultants

  • Experience Designers

  • Conservators

• Facilitate design workshops and stakeholder reviews.

• Monitor design deliverables and ensure compliance with project milestones.

• Ensure design solutions are practical, buildable, maintainable, and operationally sustainable.

2. Construction Supervision & Site Management

• Supervise exhibition fit-out and installation works on-site.

• Monitor contractor and fabricator performance against approved drawings and specifications.

• Conduct regular inspections to verify workmanship quality and compliance.

• Review method statements, shop drawings, and material submittals.

• Ensure exhibition construction activities comply with local regulations, international museum standards, and health and safety requirements.

• Identify construction risks and implement mitigation strategies.

• Coordinate installation sequencing to avoid conflicts between trades.

3. Exhibition Fabrication Oversight

• Manage exhibit fabrication processes, including factory inspections and mock-up reviews.

• Review prototypes, samples, and fabrication methodologies.

• Verify fabrication quality and compliance with approved designs.

• Monitor progress of fabrication packages and production schedules.

• Coordinate logistics, transportation, and installation planning.

• Ensure all fabricated components satisfy conservation and collection protection requirements.

4. Museum Showcase & Artifact Display Coordination

• Oversee design and manufacture of museum showcases and display systems.

• Ensure compliance with artifact conservation requirements, including:

  • Temperature control

  • Humidity management

  • Lighting limitations

  • Security requirements

  • Environmental monitoring

• Coordinate object mounting, artifact supports, and display fixtures.

• Work closely with registrars, curators, and conservation teams throughout installation.

5. Multimedia & Interactive Experience Management

• Coordinate integration of multimedia and AV systems within exhibitions.

• Oversee installation of:

  • Interactive exhibits

  • Projection systems

  • LED displays

  • Immersive environments

  • Audio systems

  • Digital interpretation technologies

• Ensure all interactive experiences function according to approved user experience objectives.

• Manage testing and commissioning activities.

6. Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Develop and implement exhibition quality control procedures.

• Conduct site inspections and quality audits.

• Verify compliance with:

  • Design intent

  • Technical specifications

  • International museum standards

  • Accessibility standards

  • Safety regulations

• Track defects and manage snagging and close-out processes.

• Review and approve contractor quality documentation.

7. Project Planning & Schedule Management

• Monitor project schedules and exhibition delivery timelines.

• Coordinate design, fabrication, procurement, and installation activities.

• Identify schedule risks and propose recovery plans.

• Track progress against milestones and project KPIs.

• Prepare progress reports and executive updates.

8. Stakeholder & Client Management

• Serve as the primary liaison between clients, consultants, contractors, fabricators, and museum operating teams.

• Facilitate stakeholder meetings and workshops.

• Present project updates to senior management and government representatives.

• Support decision-making processes through technical evaluations and recommendations.

• Manage stakeholder expectations throughout the project lifecycle.

9. Procurement & Contract Administration

• Support procurement of exhibition contractors and specialist vendors.

• Review technical bid submissions and evaluate contractor capabilities.

• Participate in tender clarification processes.

• Review variations, claims, and change requests.

• Monitor contractual compliance and project deliverables.

10. Testing, Commissioning & Handover

• Manage exhibition testing and commissioning activities.

• Verify functionality of exhibition systems and visitor experiences.

• Coordinate operational readiness reviews.

• Oversee training of museum operations staff.

• Ensure completion of punch lists and defect rectification.

• Review as-built documentation, warranties, and maintenance manuals.

• Support final handover and opening preparations.

About you

• Bachelor'S or Master's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Construction Management, Engineering, Museum Studies, Exhibition Design or a related field.

• 15+ years of experience in exhibition design, museum projects, cultural developments, or visitor attractions.

• Proven experience delivering high-profile museum projects in the Middle East.

• Experience supervising exhibition fit-out and specialist installation contractors.

• Strong understanding of museum conservation and collection care requirements.

• Experience with government, cultural, and heritage sector clients.

Technical Competencies

• Exhibition Design Development

• Museum Planning

• Construction Supervision

• Fit-Out Management

• Exhibit Fabrication

• Showcase Design & Installation

• Multimedia Integration

• Visitor Experience Design

• Quality Assurance & Quality Control (QA/QC)

• Procurement & Tender Management

• Risk Management

• Contract Administration

• Stakeholder Engagement

• BIM and Design Coordination

Preferred Project Experience

• National Museums

• Cultural District Developments

• Heritage Interpretation Centers

• Visitor Experience Centers

• Science Museums

• Children's Museums

• Art Museums

• Archaeological Museums

• World Expo Pavilions

• Immersive Cultural Attractions

• UNESCO Heritage Visitor Facilities

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career.

This includes:

• Tax-free salary.

• Life insurance coverage.

• Medical insurance.

• Annual leave balance.

• Company gratuity scheme.

• Discretionary bonus program.

• Annual flight contribution.

• Transportation & housing allowances.

• Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, personal health, fitness, and nutrition.

Seize every opportunity to sharpen your skills, expand your expertise, and be recognized for the impact you make.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's'infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.