Senior Design Manager

About the role

The Senior Design Manager will lead design projects from inception through final design and support construction delivery, ensuring projects meet client time, quality and budget targets.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare budgets, briefs, scopes and programmes for consultant RFPs and manage the tender process.
• Provide day‑to‑day guidance to awarded consultants and ensure design deliverables meet scope, quality and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with Development, Commercial and Project Delivery teams on design strategy, schedule and budgets.
• Review and approve design submissions, obtain client and authority approvals, and manage queries.
• Support financial and contractual administration, risk, change and value‑engineering procedures.
• Act as design ambassador during construction, advising the Project Manager and flagging deviations.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or Design Management; Chartered membership (RIBA, RICS, ICE) preferred.
• 12–15 years of design management experience, including at least 5 years in the UAE.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver to time, cost and quality targets.

Required skills

• In‑depth knowledge of the RIBA Plan of Work 2020.
• Experience with tender procurement and consultant selection.
• Strong understanding of architectural design, building codes, materials and construction techniques.
• Project budgeting, scheduling and risk management.