Senior Design Manager

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

The Senior Design Manager is responsible for managing the design and development process of private projects from pre-concept to full documentation and coordination. The role involves selecting, guiding, and managing design consultants to ensure that the design intent is maintained throughout construction to handover. The manager must ensure projects adhere to budget constraints and are completed on time while also contributing to the continuous development of design management procedures. The position involves collaboration with other departments and direct engagement with clients and senior leadership, requiring a proactive and adaptable approach.

What You Will Do

• Assess the brief to define and evaluate specific requirements.
• Define qualification/evaluation criteria for consultants.
• Review and suggest candidate consultants, meet with them as required, and assess their presentations.
• Make recommendations for selection of designers.

• Define client requirements and preferences based on discussions, creating a reverse brief if necessary.
• Create mood boards as part of the client brief and specify design scope and deliverables.
• Manage design consultants throughout the process to ensure high-quality designs that meet client approval.
• Prepare or develop design options for guidance or discussion.
• Edit, review, and comment on drawings, models, images, and documents at any project stage.
• Ensure compliance with high-end luxury and design standards.

• Ensure projects are executed within budget and maintain costs within the project viability limits.
• Monitor project progress to ensure completion within the timeframe and keep stakeholders informed.

• Identify potential design changes before they occur and analyze their implications.
• Seek approvals for any cost and time implications of design changes.

• Participate in staff recruitment and interviews.
• Assign tasks according to skills, experience, and workload.
• Guide and mentor associates and junior team members.

• Review and comment on design management procedures in terms of relevance, usability, and clarity.
• Provide feedback on procedures in use.

Required Skills to Be Successful

Minimum 15+ years of experience in design management with developers or architectural firms, with a proven track record across luxury hospitality and VVIP private projects. Proven ability to manage the full design process, from pre-concept through full documentation and coordination, including driving and managing design consultants. Proficiency in reviewing design packages and identifying implications of changes.

What Qualifies You for the Role

• Degree in Architecture or related discipline.
• Familiarity with design standards, codes, and practices.
• Capable of managing multiple projects under pressure with good interpersonal skills.

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.