Senior Design Manager

Job Description

The Senior Design Manager will be responsible for managing and delivering a portfolio of development projects with a strong emphasis on interior design excellence, ensuring alignment with the company’s brand vision, commercial objectives, and quality standards.

The role oversees design from concept through completion, including post-contract support, while ensuring that architectural, interior, and engineering disciplines are fully coordinated.

The position reports to the Director of Design and works closely with Development, Projects, Finance, Legal, Commercial, and Marketing teams.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Design & Interior Design Leadership

• Lead and manage the interior design strategy and execution across residential, mixed-use, hospitality, and commercial developments.
• Ensure interior concepts reflect brand positioning, user experience, functionality, and market expectations.
• Manage interior design consultants from concept to IFC and post-contract stages.
• Review and approve layouts, mood boards, material boards, FF&E packages, specifications, and detailed drawings.
• Ensure high-quality interior detailing, finishes, and spatial planning standards are maintained.

Design Management & Coordination

• Oversee design consultants to maximize quality, value, and risk mitigation across disciplines.
• Conduct design and constructability reviews, including technical and third-party reviews.
• Monitor drawing production, information flow, and approval processes.
• Ensure proper documentation, specification alignment, and issuance procedures.
• Support authority approvals related to interior works and planning compliance.

Commercial & Development Support

• Provide technical and interior design input during feasibility studies and due diligence reviews.
• Support value engineering exercises without compromising design integrity or brand standards.
• Ensure design decisions align with project budgets and commercial objectives.

Site & Post-Contract Support

• Review construction documentation and shop drawings related to interior works.
• Conduct site inspections to ensure design intent and quality standards are maintained.

Job Context:

Internal: All Internal Departments

External: Vendors, Contractors, Consultants, Agencies and Suppliers

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or related discipline.
• Minimum 18 years of experience in design/development management, with strong interior design leadership exposure within a real estate developer environment.
• Proven experience delivering high-quality residential and mixed-use developments in the UAE/GCC.
• Strong background in consultant management and multidisciplinary coordination.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of interior detailing, materials, finishes, and FF&E procurement.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, InDesign, 3D modelling, and Photoshop.
• Strong presentation and stakeholder management skills
• Fluency in Arabic preferred