Design Director

Position status: This opportunity is for a secured role that is due to commence in January subject to approval. If you would like to be considered as we progress with this position, please click to apply.

At Mace, our purpose is to redefine the boundaries of ambition. We believe in creating places that are responsible, bringing transformative impact to our people, communities, and societies across the globe. To learn more about our purpose, culture, and priorities, visit our strategy site.  

Within our consult business we harness our unique combination of leading-edge practical expertise and project delivery consultancy to unlock the potential in every project. 

The project: 

We are hiring an ambitious and forward-thinking candidate to join our established and growing team in UAE.

Our values shape the way we consult, and define the people we want to join us on our journey, they are:

Safety first - Going home safe and well: 

• You will be an advocate of Mace's value of safety first, and be accountable for leading and maintaining exceptional safety, quality, cost, programme, sustainability, and compliance standards for the design resources you manage. 
• You will possess technical expertise in local health and safety rules and regulations relevant to project portfolio.
•  You will champion a diverse and inclusive working environment and understand the importance of the wellbeing of the people you manage.

Client focus - Deliver on our promise: 

• Contributes and inputs in to strategy development, develops plans and oversees the delivery and manages the achievement of annual business plan to time and budget.
• Assesses and defines project strategic design management delivery.
• Implements and approve consultant appointments across all work streams when contractually required.
• Builds and leads project design team (internal/external) to ensure correct resource is allocated and project deliverables are clear.
• Partners with multiple internal and external stakeholders, working in collaboration to (implement strategy/programmes/initiatives).
• Manages, influences & negotiates with key senior stakeholders.
• Act as the day to day operational manager for any design managers or other design management resource deployed to the project.
• Leads and presents management review data/key performance indicators (KPIs) to senior leadership.
• Supports business development and work winning activities.
• Delivers continuous improvements in processes through application of best practices and lessons learned. Drives transformational change.
• Responsible for ensuring the identification, development, and delivery of relevant training.
• Ensures management systems are followed during project lifecycle roles and responsibilities are adhered by.
• Is the focal point for design issues, ensuring client relationships are managed and maintained.
• Provides leadership and strategic direction for all design engineering activities to team/s, including external stakeholders.
• Works collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition and share responsibility for the proactive identification and management of the associated carbon emissions and reductions during the delivery of work.

Integrity - Always do the right thing: 

• You will implement and execute the design management system, processes and protocols to meet statutory, legal, and contractual requirements. 
• You will support the long-term development of strategy for a function or Business Unit (BU), creating a sustainable business future. 
• You will commit to making a positive impact for our people, our clients, and our planet, and take ownership for holding others to account who do not uphold the Mace values.

Create opportunity - For our people to excel: 

• You will lead your team effectively and develop others to reach their full potential.  
• You will actively network, innovate, and seek understanding of best practice, utilising the full depth of knowledge of Mace Group, the centres of excellence, Mace way control centre and knowledge hub. 
• You will collaborate with multiple internal and external stakeholders, up to C-Suite, to implement and manage our programmes. 

You’ll need to have:

• Experience working in the United Arab Emirates is essential for client approval. 
• Excellent comminication, organizational, presentation and writing skills.
• Maintains impartiality & takes pragamatic approach evaluating evidence.
• Ability to delegate, lead others, take initiative and make appropriate decisions.
• Strong technical knowledge to challenge projects/design/proposals.

You’ll also have:

• Leads others effectively.
• Ability to influence and persuade senior management towards a desired course of action.
• Continuous improvement and resilience through training and business improvement activities.
• Mentors and develops individuals, sharing knowledge and experience.
• Champions and operates within an inclusivity environment.
• Membership professional body (RIBA, MICE, CIBSE, CIOB, RICS, CIAT).

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all of the criteria, please apply as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.

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