Lead Design Manager - Real Estate & Hospitality

About the role

Turner & Townsend is looking for a Lead Design Manager in Dubai to lead and oversee the design management process for large-scale real estate and hospitality developments. The role acts as the key interface between the client, consultants, contractors and internal stakeholders, from concept design through construction delivery.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage the design process across concept, schematic, detailed design, tender and construction stages.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams including architects, engineers, landscape architects, interior designers and specialist consultants.
• Review and guide design deliverables so they meet project objectives, budgets, regulations and quality standards.
• Chair design coordination meetings and follow up on minutes, action logs and design decisions.
• Manage design approvals with clients, authorities, utility providers and regulators, and close design review comments, technical queries and contractor submittals.
• Lead value engineering and design optimisation, and report on design risks and changes affecting cost, schedule and quality.
• Review materials, mock-ups and samples, and support procurement and tender activities through technical reviews.
• Work with project management, construction and commercial teams, and ensure health and safety and sustainability requirements are met.

Required profile

• Construction Management or a related discipline.
• 15-20 years of progressive experience in design management within real estate and hospitality development, consultancy or project management.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale hospitality projects in the UAE/GCC.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary consultants and complex stakeholder groups.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation and leadership skills.

Required skills

• Design management methodologies, authority approval processes and project delivery frameworks.
• AutoCAD, Revit, BIM platforms, Navisworks and Microsoft Office Suite.