Design Manager - Real Estate

Job description / Role

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 Automotive Design Manager (DM) will play a pivotal role in driving the vision for Al Futtaim's automotive projects, integrating cutting-edge design concepts, sustainable practices, and brand identity to enhance the customer experience and elevate the profile of our automotive properties.

The DM will be responsible for overseeing the design process from inception to completion. From formulating project briefs, shortlisting consultants and assessing proposals to carrying out design reviews and providing regular status updates to management.

The role also involves managing consultant relationships and collaborating with internal teams, external stakeholders, and automotive brands to ensure alignment with design, budgetary, and timeline requirements, as well as brand standards. The Automotive Design Manager will be instrumental in driving excellence in Automotive design and development for the organization.

What you will do:
- Support the General Manager in developing and implementing successful design strategies and delivering high-end quality projects.
- Collaborate with internal parties to prepare Project Briefs for consultants, guiding design works and proposals.
- Assist management across all facets of the design process, from brief to Consultant appointment, Construction, and obtaining building permits.
- Conduct regular on-site visits to monitor project progress and report accordingly.
- Mitigate risks related to cost, quality, and time increases, protecting both the company and its clients.
- Find solutions for design issues, effectively communicating through visualization of design intent in 2D or 3D, focusing on both Architecture and Interior Design.
- Contribute to leading architectural consultants and monitor progress on a day-to-day basis.
- Collaborate in the procurement process throughout project design stages.
- Maintain records and prepare reports related to design review and delivery.
- Ensure projects stay within budgets and timelines while adhering to specific standards, building codes, guidelines, and regulations.
- Stay updated on architectural trends and advancements for informed decision-making

Requirements

Minimum Experience

- 8 years of experience in architecture in retail and mixed use projects + supervisory/managerial experience. Automotive showroom design experience is preferred.

Job-Specific Skills:

- Knowledgeable in architectural, Interior and infrastructure drawings.
- Creative and ensuring all aspects of the project are aesthetically pleasing
- Able to enhance and develop architectural proposals from consultants and communicate effectively.
- Excellent knowledge in computer aided drafting and design CAD- AUTOCAD / sketchup / MS Office
- Able to review Detailed Design architectural packages from consultant + MEP packages
- Knowledge of local requirements and regulations within Dubai.
- Visualization skills, to be able to look at the big picture and envision how a building will look once completed.

Behavioural Competencies :

- Team Player
- Can work under pressure
- Multitask
- Excellent written and oral communication skills along with presentation techniques

What equips you for the role:

Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge:
- A bachelor's degree in architecture required

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.

About the Company

Established in the 1930's, the Al-Futtaim Group initially operated as a trading enterprise. Rapid development throughout the 1940's and 50's saw it establish itself regionally as an integrated commercial, industrial and services organisation, positioning itself one of the leading business houses in the lower Gulf region. Today, it operates collectively over 40 companies bearing the Al-Futtaim name, dominates many market segments in the UAE, and has expanded its sphere of operation to include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Egypt.

The Group comprises a diverse range of strategically positioned operating subsidiaries and associate companies, structured to give the Al-Futtaim Group the flexibility and versatility to keep ahead of local competition while keeping pace with the ever-evolving global business scenario. The Groups continued investment in world-class systems technology is clear evidence of its commitment to maintain leading edge performance and service delivery.

The success of the Al-Futtaim Group can be attributed to a business approach that combines the ability to change with the traditional values of integrity, service and social responsibility that define its core business philosophy. This, linked with the Groups belief in decentralisation, gives the heads of the operating companies a high degree of functional autonomy and authority, providing the Group with essential flexibility, and individual employees a clearly defined work culture and sense of responsibility.