Senior Design Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION / ROLE

Employment: Full Time

Job Requisition ID: 162827

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 role involves managing design tasks for the Design department, including consultant and stakeholder management, technical reviews, advisory on design quality, functionality, engineering, statutory considerations, constructability, and deliverable completeness. It also includes conducting internal design studies, research, and technical analysis. The role typically oversees three or more complex and atypical projects.

What you will do

Design Brief and Assessment:
- Complete assessment of plots, including evaluations of the physical characteristics, location and context, visibility, access and circulation, etc.
- Create a detailed design brief, incorporating product objectives, project and context description, collating all relevant background information and related documents, and defining the key design objectives and technical criteria.
- In coordination with the Project Management department, define a set of detailed infrastructure, engineering, delivery or statutory considerations to be included in the design brief.

Design Process Management:
- Guide projects from design vision to tender documentation, advising throughout construction.
- Define timeframes, aspirations, and documentation requirements with consultants.
- Ensure clear communication and documentation between stakeholders.
- Lead project reviews for compliance with objectives, costs, efficiency, user experience, and aesthetics.
- Conduct technical reviews on design criteria, performance, engineering coordination, and statutory issues.
- Provide commentary on design deliverables for executive presentations.
- Assess design changes and recommend actions.
- Prepare executive presentations and involve relevant stakeholders.
- Resolve feedback conflicts and secure necessary statutory approvals.
- Develop marketing collateral for project launches.

Support the Definition of Development Briefs and Budgets:
- Advise on various aspects of the development brief documents, including project positioning, development statistics targets, and project programme.
- Identify and advise on key design, infrastructure, engineering, delivery or statutory considerations that have impact on the development strategy.
- Conduct independent cost analysis and coordinate with the Commercial department for cost benchmarks to ensure suitability of targets.
- Advise on project budget, including breakdowns of hard and soft costs.
- Support return on investment calculations that model and evaluate the benefits of various product or design considerations within projects.

Research and Development:
- Lead research on city and product design (smart technologies, mobility, sustainability, amenities).
- Develop and refine departmental systems (guidelines, templates).
- Advise on development briefs, budgets, and cost analysis.
- Support return on investment calculations.

Project Schedule and Reporting:
- Define project schedules and milestones.
- Create roadmaps for weekly project progress.
- Prepare progress reports for executive review.

Requirements:

Required Skills to be successful
- Minimum 10 - 12 years' experience in design and management-related roles, preferably having worked with leading local developers or consultancy firms
- In-depth experience managing residential and commercial is required, hospitality projects are a plus
- Versatility across design disciplines, including architecture and interior design, with skills in graphics and presentations
- Advanced knowledge of technical requirements of buildings, including advanced understanding of structural and MEP systems, civil works, construction and statutory authorities.
- Ability to prepare clear and compelling presentations to executive management

What equips you for the role
- Master's or bachelor's degree in architecture or similar
- Extensive experience with Residential & Commercial (offices, community facilities) for all design stages (from Concept to IFC)
- Supplementary training in business or real estate is a plus

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.

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