Director of Interior Design

Job description / Role

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

Oversees the creative direction and delivery of interior design across Al-Futtaim Real Estate’s diverse portfolio, including retail, residential, commercial, and hospitality projects. Leads internal teams and external consultants through all design phases from concept development to final execution ensuring innovation, functionality, and alignment with the company’s brand and quality standards. Drives design excellence, cost efficiency, and sustainability while enhancing the overall user experience and aesthetic value of each project.

What you will do

• Lead the interior design function and projects from concept development to completion, handle the different design phases and manage multiple projects while putting in place a clear and coherent design process.
• Work on developing the interior design brand standards and guidelines in line with Al-Futtaim Real Estate's vision.
• Contribute to creating guidelines, design & technical standards, specifications of FF&E and OS&E, and technical services guidelines.
• Lead interior design projects from layouts to detailed drawings and FF&E specifications. Check and review if standards and requirements are integrated into one unified scheme according to the program.
• Maintain current knowledge of trends and materials, techniques, and other developments in interior design. Identify trends in the market concerning the interior design.
• Assess the market, define, and assess specific requirements, define qualification / evaluation criteria, review available candidate consultants, develop relevant interview process and questionnaires, assess, and compare presentations, make recommendations for selection of designers.
• Define design scope and other relevant contribution to the creation / running / closeout of good design agreements / contracts and control of design costs.
• Procurement and verification of acceptable design packages of design documentation for each design stage.
• Lead periodic on-site observation of work during construction to monitor compliance with plans and requirements and ensure that the final product is as per the original request, review design drawings submittals and samples.
• Represent Al-Futtaim Real Estate in meetings for the purpose of reviewing interior design proposals, contracts, and mock-ups.
• Monitor the implementation of department's KPIs.
• Direct and motivate teams of interior designers, draftsmen, etc. to help them use their talents effectively.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required skills to be successful

• Minimum of 20+ years of experience in interior design, with a proven track record and strong portfolio across hospitality, residential, and retail sectors across Middle East.
• Extensive experience in interior design, with in-depth knowledge of FF&E, materials, finishes, and space planning.
• Experience working in a client-side role or with leading interior design consultancies, overseeing the full design lifecycle from concept development through to project completion is essential.
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to effectively engage and manage a wide range of stakeholders.

What equips you for the role

• Bachelor's degree in interior design or relevant subject.
• Strong knowledge of applicable standards, regulations, and procedures.

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.