Senior Design Manager | Real Estate | Private Properties

Job Requisition ID: 163441 

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organization to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate. 

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day

Overview of the role
To manage the design and development of allocated private projects through the full design process including pre-concept design to full documentation and coordination. Manage design consultants including selection of consultant, design guidance, review drawings and ensure design intent is maintained throughout construction and to handover. 

What you will do

Brief & Selection of Consultants 

• Assess the brief, Define and assess specific requirements, define qualification / evaluation criteria, review and suggest candidate consultants, meet consultants where required, assess and compare presentations, make recommendations for selection of designers.

Defining Design Scope and control of design costs 

• Define Client requirements and preferences based on discussions. Create a reverse brief if required to reach a confirmed brief. Put together mood boards as part of the client brief. 
• Specify design scope, deliverable. Manage the design consultants throughout the design process ensuring high quality designs that meet approval of the client. 

Design Management

• To manage interactions with the design consultants teams, and to review assistants’ interactions/records 
• To prepare or develop, where required, design options as guidance for the consultant, or for discussion with the team or the consultants. 
• To edit, review/comment upon drawings models, images and other documents relating to the design at any stage of the project
•  Demonstrate thorough knowledge of, and compliance with high-end luxury standards and design standards

Project Budget & Program

• Ensure that the projects are executed within the budget and that the costs of the project are maintained within the described limits of the project viability. 
• Monitor the progress of the projects to ensure completion within the described timeframe keeping stakeholders always informed of the progress.

Management of design change 

• Identify potential design changes before they occur. Analyse and assess the implications and seek approvals for any cost and time implications. 

Contribute to development of design management procedures 

• Review / comment design management procedures in respect of relevance, usability, and clarity. Provide feedback in respect of procedures in use.

Required Skills to be successful

• Minimum 10+ years of experience in design management working with developers or architectural firms. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage the full design process including pre-concept design to full documentation and coordination and drive design consultants. Good designer and technically strong. 
• Hospitality experience of completed projects is a must. 

What equips you for the role

• Degree in Architecture or other related disciplines

About Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate
The real estate development and operations arm of Al-Futtaim, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate is responsible for a multi-billion-dollar portfolio across MENA. With high-quality residential, business, retail, tourism, educational and healthcare developments, the master developer caters to the diverse needs of cities and communities in the region. From origination, conception, development, sales, procurement and construction of mega-projects and the leasing, operation and management of these projects after completion, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE) has been developing and managing owned landbanks, unlocking the economic potential of the region and contributing to future development for more than 40 years. 
Our focus is to enable and invest in meaningful relationships to make our properties the best places to live and work, build additional products and services and enable partnerships to create true value to our customers throughout their entire experience with us.
AFGRE is responsible for master planning of all projects in its portfolio, including two large scale mixed use destinations: Dubai Festival City and Cairo Festival City.