Senior Manager Interior Design

Company Overview

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organization to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day.

Overview of the role

The Senior Interior Design Manager is responsible for managing and delivering high-profile residential and commercial projects, ensuring design quality, functionality, and innovation while balancing budget and commercial objectives. Acting as the client representative, the role ensures projects align with corporate vision, market positioning, and end-user expectations. The position involves overseeing the complete design process—from feasibility and concept to construction—to uphold the highest design standards, enhancing user experience and contributing to the project's success. The role requires frequent collaboration with internal teams and external consultants and contractors, maintaining alignment with company standards, local regulations, and industry trends.

What you will do

Project & Design Management

• Lead the development of interior design concepts and detailed designs for commercial, residential, hospitality, or mixed-use projects.
• Develop project-specific design briefs aligning with business objectives and market strategy.
• Benchmark projects against leading market trends for competitive positioning and future-proofing.
• Manage the interior design scope from concept to completion, ensuring seamless integration with architectural and engineering disciplines.
• Ensure sustainability, wellness, and ESG considerations are embedded into project designs.
• Coordinate with external interior design consultants, FF&E vendors, and contractors to deliver design intent.
• Review and approve design documentation, material selections, finishes, and mock-ups.
• Conduct regular site visits to verify design implementation and provide directions to resolve on-site challenges.
• Oversee the integration of design elements with other disciplines such as development, leasing, or marketing.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Serve as the main point of contact for all interior design-related matters with internal stakeholders and external consultants.
• Work closely with development managers, architects, cost consultants, and contractors to align design direction with project objectives.
• Facilitate workshops and design review meetings with consultants, operators (if applicable), and internal departments to gather requirements and align expectations.
• Provide technical guidance and support to the project delivery team.

Design Governance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure design proposals adhere to brand, quality, and functional standards.
• Validate compliance with building codes, local regulations, and sustainability requirements.
• Drive design consistency and excellence across all touchpoints.
• Establish and implement design quality control procedures.

Procurement & Cost Alignment

• Support the procurement team with FF&E and material specifications and vendor evaluations.
• Align material selections with project budgets while maintaining design integrity.
• Participate in value engineering sessions to optimize cost without compromising design quality.
• Align design solutions with financial feasibility and business plans.
• Contribute to cost management strategies and ensure design efficiency.
• Identify and mitigate design-related risks across all project stages.
• Manage the design budget for each project.

Innovation & Trends

• Stay updated with emerging design trends, materials, technologies, and sustainability practices.
• Recommend design innovations that enhance user experience, functionality, and aesthetic appeal.

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate project records, including design briefs, schedules, review comments, and approvals.
• Prepare and present progress reports and design presentations to senior leadership and stakeholders.

Required skills to be successful

• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Proficiency in design software: AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strategic thinking with a focus on interior design principles and trends.

What qualifies you for the role

• Bachelor’s degree in interior design or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 15+ years of experience in interior design, with a strong portfolio in residential, commercial, or hospitality projects; at least 5 years in a client/developer-side design management role.
• Proven experience in a client-side role managing design processes from concept to completion, especially in retail design and large-scale projects.
• Familiarity with design standards, codes, practices, local codes, sustainability standards, and regulatory requirements.
• LEED, WELL, or other sustainability-related accreditation.
• Proficiency in design software like AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong understanding of FF&E, materials, finishes, and space planning.
• Experience working with hotel operators, luxury brands, or retail tenants is a plus.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Experience in managing external design consultants.
• High attention to detail and ability to work independently.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to influence without authority.
• Strategic thinker with a strong understanding of interior design principles.
• Ability to travel if required and occasional extended hours may be necessary during design reviews or project delivery milestones.

About Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate

The real estate development and operations arm of Al-Futtaim, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate is responsible for a multi-billion-dollar portfolio across MENA. With high-quality residential, business, retail, tourism, educational and healthcare developments, the master developer caters to the diverse needs of cities and communities in the region. From origination, conception, development, sales, procurement and construction of mega-projects and the leasing, operation and management of these projects after completion, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE) has been developing and managing owned landbanks, unlocking the economic potential of the region and contributing to future development for more than 40 years.

Our focus is to enable and invest in meaningful relationships to make our properties the best places to live and work, build additional products and services and enable partnerships to create true value to our customers throughout their entire experience with us.

AFGRE is responsible for master planning of all projects in its portfolio, including two large scale mixed use destinations: Dubai Festival City and Cairo Festival City.