Job Description:
The Senior Design Manager is responsible for leading the design development and consultant management of complex mixed-use developments from project inception through design completion, procurement, construction, and handover. The role ensures that projects are delivered in alignment with Expo City Dubai's masterplan vision, business objectives, commercial requirements, programme commitments, sustainability aspirations, and design quality standards.
Acting as the client-side design lead, the Senior Design Manager manages multidisciplinary consultants, coordinates stakeholders, drives design governance processes, and safeguards design intent throughout the project lifecycle. The role plays a key part in delivering successful build-to-lease office developments, off-plan residential projects, and mixed-use destinations that create long-term value and exceptional user experiences
The main responsibilities for this role include:
Strategic Responsibilities:
- Manage the implementation of design strategies for mixed-use developments, ensuring alignment with masterplan objectives, commercial goals, market requirements, and long-term asset value.
- Develop and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders, consultants, operators, authorities, and development teams to facilitate informed decision-making and successful project delivery.
- Drive continuous improvement through the application of best practices in design management, sustainability, innovation, digital delivery, and design governance.
Operational Responsibilities:
- Lead multiple projects through all stages of design development, from project inception and concept design through procurement, construction, completion, and handover.
- Develop and manage project briefs, scopes of work, consultant appointments, procurement documentation, and design programmes.
- Lead multidisciplinary design coordination across architecture, landscape, engineering, infrastructure, operations, security, specialist consultants, and third-party stakeholders to achieve fully integrated project solutions.
- Manage design consultants throughout the project lifecycle, including performance management, design reviews, deliverables management, reporting, compliance monitoring, and change management.
- Develop project design briefs in collaboration with Development Leads, ensuring alignment with project objectives, market positioning, operational requirements, and customer expectations.
- Undertake design reviews and governance activities to ensure compliance with approved design standards, project briefs, codes, regulations, and authority requirements.
- Manage authority submissions, approvals, tender documentation reviews, and consultant deliverables to support project progression.
- Lead user-focused research, benchmarking, and design analysis to ensure projects respond to operational, environmental, social, economic, and user experience requirements.
- Manage residential launch packages and associated design deliverables, ensuring marketing and sales materials are delivered in accordance with programme requirements.
- Prepare and present technical reports, studies, executive presentations, and management updates on project progress, risks, decisions, and outcomes.
- Identify and manage project risks, opportunities, dependencies, and mitigation strategies throughout the design and delivery process.
- Support value engineering initiatives to ensure projects remain aligned with budget objectives while maintaining design quality and project intent.
- Lead design handover activities and provide construction-phase support, including site inspections, technical reviews, mock-up reviews, and resolution of design-related issues.
- Leverage digital platforms, data analytics, and emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, to enhance project delivery, decision-making, and design quality.
People Responsibilities:
- Provide leadership, mentoring, coaching, and technical guidance to Design Managers and junior team members.
- Support resource planning, workload allocation, and project prioritization across multiple projects.
- Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team culture that promotes continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.
- Contribute to the development and enhancement of design management processes, standards, procedures, and governance frameworks.
Knowledge, Qualifications and Skills required:
Essential:
15 years of professional experience in architecture, engineering, urban planning, design management, or real estate development as well as:
- Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Design Management, or a related built-environment discipline.
- Demonstrated experience managing the design and delivery of complex mixed-use developments.
- Proven experience delivering build-to-lease speculative office developments and off-plan residential developments supporting early sales and market launch activities during the design phase.
- Experience working within the UAE development market and managing projects through local authority approval processes.
- Strong understanding of design governance, procurement, cost management, project delivery, and construction administration.
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication, presentation, negotiation, and leadership skills.
- Preferably previous experience working for a developer, master developer, or major real estate development organization
Desirable:
- Revit / Navisworks experience
- Photoshop
- AI tools which enhance the work we do
Requirements:
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