Job description

The Senior Design Manager at Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (Dubai) leads design management across multiple complex projects, managing consultants and stakeholders while conducting technical evaluations of design quality, engineering systems, statutory considerations, constructability, and deliverables completeness. The role defines the Design Brief (physical characteristics, location, context, key design objectives) and creates detailed design briefs with product objectives and project descriptions; coordinates with Project Management on infrastructure, engineering, delivery, and statutory requirements; guides projects from design vision through tender documentation with advisory support; sets timeframes, design aspirations, and documentation requirements via meetings and workshops; leads reviews for compliance with development objectives, costs, user experience, functionality, and aesthetics; executes comprehensive technical reviews on design criteria, performance, engineering, systems, and statutory issues; prepares detailed commentary on design deliverables for executive presentations with visualizations and diagrams; assesses design change implications on time, cost, and quality with recommendations; ensures pre-contract approvals for design and financial feasibility; resolves conflicting feedback in the company’s best interest with clear rationale; secures statutory approvals via consultants and coordinates with authority liaison; and develops marketing collateral (unit plans, lease drawings, renderings). The role also drives research and development on city design (smart city technologies, sustainability) and product design (smart living technologies, urban farming); develops departmental processes, guidelines, standards, and templates; supports market and economic analysis for new product types and positioning; advises on development potential, briefs, positioning, and statistics; conducts independent cost analysis and coordinates benchmarks with Commercial; supports ROI calculations for product design options; manages project schedules and progress reporting for executive leadership; leads contract and commercial management ensuring complete submissions and evaluations; defines procurement strategy and manages pre-qualification and assessment of consultants; and prepares all relevant RFP documents including scopes of work, services, and schedules. Required capabilities include advanced architecture and interior design skills (graphics/presentations), proficiency in MEP systems, structural engineering, civil works, executive presentation preparation, and expertise in CAD, BIM, Primavera, or Microsoft Project.