Director - Design & Projects Delivery

Key responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Governance: Define project delivery strategy for store openings, refurbishments and infrastructure developments; lead long‑term planning, capital budgeting and program prioritisation with Finance, Brand Heads and Maintenance; establish governance frameworks and SOPs; serve as final authority for risk mitigation, conflict resolution and major vendor negotiations.
• Project Oversight & Execution Excellence: Oversee the execution lifecycle for high‑value projects from conceptual design to handover and post‑opening evaluation; ensure adherence to brand guidelines, principal expectations and sustainability benchmarks; monitor programme dashboard for cost, quality, safety and schedule metrics; supervise a multi‑layered team of managers, engineers, planners and consultants.
• Vendor, Design & Technical Supervision: Manage relationships with contractors, consultants, architects and design teams; validate design intents, BOQs, space planning and material specifications for compliance with brand identity and functional requirements; approve procurement and contracting strategies ensuring cost competitiveness and delivery assurance.
• People Leadership & Development: Build and lead a high‑performing project delivery organisation through succession planning, mentorship and performance reviews; drive talent development, retention and a culture of innovation, ownership and continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder & Principal Engagement: Act as the key interface with global brand principals, providing design approvals, progress updates and compliance; deliver periodic updates to C‑level leadership on project pipeline, risks and strategic priorities.

Required profile

• 12‑15 years of experience in project management, with at least 5 years in a leadership capacity overseeing multi‑site retail expansion or hospitality developments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or Architecture; Master’s in Project Management or MBA preferred.
• Strong knowledge of international design standards, construction methodologies, procurement practices and fit‑out execution.
• Proven ability to lead large‑scale CAPEX programmes across geographies with multiple stakeholder interfaces.

Required skills

• Design validation and space planning.
• BOQ preparation and material specification.
• Vendor negotiation and procurement strategy.
• Construction methodologies and sustainability standards (e.g., LEED).