Senior Design Manager

Roles and responsibilities

To direct and manage the Design of all Projects and help successfully deliver them to meet Project requirements including safety, quality, scope, cost and time deliverables, whilst maintaining appropriate good relationships with all Project Stakeholders, Statutory Authorities and the Supply Chain.

Responsible with others for meeting Project and Departmental KPI Targets, including hard and soft KPI's, such as delivery to cost or meeting customer satisfaction targets. Accountability for up to AED 1 billion annual expenditure (indirectly), and managing up to 6 direct reports and service provider organisations, consultants, contractors and vendors, per project and up to 30 projects concurrently.

Essential Experience:

Ideally over 15 years' experience, of which 5 years must have been recently in the UAE, of working in the building industry as a Design Manager for developers or design consultants, managing multiple building design projects concurrently, with individual contract values in excess of AED 100 million, is an essential requirement for this position.

Essential Qualifications:

• A BSc in Civil Engineering, BA in Architecture, or equal qualification in an appropriate Architectural, Engineering or Building Discipline.
• An excellent command of spoken and written English Language.

Essential Job-Specific Knowledge & Skills:

• An excellent command of spoken and written English Language.
• Leadership skills.
• A good work ethic and attitude.
• Excellent Relationship Management Skills.
• A very high level of emotional intelligence.
• Excellent management skills.
• The ability to brainstorm problems, arrive at solutions and implement them.
• Strong Technical Knowledge of the Building Industry and Engineering Knowledge.
• Ability to read and interpret technical documents including drawings, calculations, programs, spreadsheets and the like.
• Local knowledge in the UAE.
• Understanding of the permitting and process requirements of the appropriate Statutory Authorities.
• A high level of Architectural and Engineering knowledge, awareness and understanding.
• Familiarity with standard Professional Services Contracts and Agreements and the FIDIC forms of contract in use in the UAE.
• Familiarity with Primavera P6 and P7.
• Ability to prepare, draft and present Project Technical Documents including Monthly Reports, Technical reports and presentations.

A Senior Design Manager plays a crucial role in leading design projects and teams, ensuring that creative solutions align with business objectives and client needs. Here are some essential skills and qualities for an effective Senior Design Manager:

• Design Expertise:
  Strong background in design principles, methodologies, and tools relevant to the industry, whether in graphic design, product design, or digital design.
• Leadership Skills:
  Ability to inspire, motivate, and manage a team of designers, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Project Management:
  Proficiency in managing multiple design projects, including scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation to meet deadlines.
• Communication Skills:
  Excellent verbal and written communication abilities to articulate design concepts and strategies to clients, stakeholders, and team members.
• Creative Vision:
  Ability to develop and articulate a clear design vision that aligns with the overall brand and business strategy.
• Client Relationship Management:
  Skills in building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, understanding their needs, and delivering solutions that exceed expectations.
• Problem-Solving Skills:
  Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities to address design challenges and find effective solutions.
• Attention to Detail:
  High level of accuracy and quality control in design outputs, ensuring that all work meets established standards.
• Trend Awareness:
  Staying updated on industry trends, technologies, and best practices to keep the design team innovative and competitive.
• Mentorship:
  Commitment to developing team members through coaching, feedback, and professional development opportunities.