About the Role
The Design Manager will take a hands-on role within a dynamic real estate development company, working closely with senior management and internal teams to deliver high-quality projects from concept through construction. This role is suited for a proactive professional who is deeply involved in design development, consultant coordination, and key technical decisions rather than acting as a purely administrative interface. Operating in a fast-paced and collaborative environment, the Design Manager will ensure design solutions align with the developer’s commercial objectives, brand vision, budget, and construction requirements, while actively managing risks, changes, and design quality across all stages.
Responsibilities
- Manage and coordinate all design activities across concept, schematic, detailed design, and implementation
- Appoint, manage, and coordinate external consultants (architects, engineers, master planners, interior designers)
- Ensure design solutions meet commercial, functional, aesthetic, and cost objectives
- Review and approve design deliverables, drawings, and specifications
- Coordinate with internal teams (Development, Commercial, Construction, Sales & Marketing)
- Ensure compliance with UAE authorities, codes, regulations, and approval processes
- Manage design changes, value engineering, and risk mitigation
- Support tendering, contractor clarifications, and construction phase design queries
- Monitor design schedules and ensure timely delivery of milestones
Requirements
- 8+ years of experience in design management within real estate development or consultancy
- Strong experience in residential, mixed-use, or hospitality developments
- Solid understanding of UAE regulations and authority approval processes
- Experience working with international consultants
- Strong coordination, communication, and stakeholder management skills
- Proficiency in design review and project documentation
Skills
- Design development
- Consultant coordination
- Technical decision making
- Risk management
- Change management
- Design quality management
- Coordination
- Communication
- Stakeholder management
- Design review
- Project documentation
Location
- UAE
Work Type
- Full-time
Experience Level
- 8+ years
Education Level
- Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or related field
Benefits
- Opportunity to join a growing development company with ambitious expansion plans.
- Strategic leadership role with high impact on company performance.
- Competitive compensation package aligned with UAE market standards.
