Executive Director - Design Management

About the role

Aldar Properties is looking for an Executive Director to lead its Design Management function across residential, commercial, retail, hospitality and civic projects. You will translate commercial briefs into market‑differentiated design solutions while balancing ambition, cost and programme constraints.

Key responsibilities

• Define and govern design vision, standards and governance frameworks for all product verticals.
• Direct design responses to commercial briefs, ensuring alignment with target customer, price point, unit mix, timeline and budget.
• Chair design quality reviews at each stage gate and approve or escalate decisions to the GDS Committee.
• Serve as the primary executive liaison with CDOs and Development Management Directors, presenting recommendations to senior leadership.
• Drive design consistency and foster innovation through collaboration with Design Innovation and Interior Design teams.
• Oversee integration of AI‑assisted design tools and modular design thinking across teams.
• Lead, develop and retain a high‑performing multidisciplinary design management team, setting performance goals and succession plans.

Required profile

• Minimum 15 years of experience in design management within real‑estate development.
• Proven track record of translating commercial briefs into high‑quality design outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to resolve conflicts across multiple client groups.
• Executive‑level communication and presentation skills for C‑suite and board audiences.
• Experience leading large, multidisciplinary design teams and building capability frameworks.

Required skills

• BIM design management platforms
• AI‑assisted design and review tools