Architectural Design Manager

Client of AE Recruitment; Dubai; On-site; AED 350,000 - 620,000; Full time

Job summary

Client of AE Recruitment seeks a Senior Architectural Designer in Dubai to lead feasibility studies, concept design, and detailing for high-end commercial, mixed-use or hospitality projects.

You will protect design intent, drive BIM workflows, coordinate multidisciplinary teams and present design packages to stakeholders, collaborating with the Design Director and CEO to shape creative direction.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Architecture or equivalent.
• At least 7 years' experience in architectural consultancy.
• Proven track record on large-scale commercial, mixed-use or hospitality projects.
• A strong conceptual portfolio aligned with the studio's creative direction.

Responsibilities

• Lead feasibility studies, concept design, schematic and detailed design translating briefs into buildable architectural solutions.
• Protect design intent throughout delivery and conduct value engineering without diluting the concept.
• Lead façade strategy and design development coordinating consultants and contractors.
• Prepare and present design packages to clients, partners and review committees.
• Shape project direction with the Design Director and CEO, contributing to studio products.
• Manage architects, designers and remote partners; assign tasks and mentor team members.
• Own design programmes, resources, deliverables tracking and budget performance.
• Act as primary design contact for clients and project managers, manage progress reporting and risk.
• Coordinate structural, MEP, landscape, interiors, façade and sustainability consultants.
• Lead production and review of technical drawings, specifications and construction documentation.
• Ensure UAE regulations and authority submissions compliance; drive BIM strategy and quality checks.
• Maintain Revit standards and workflows per BIM Execution Plan and CDE.
• Review submittals, shop drawings, mock-ups; respond to RFIs and support site inspections.
• Support bids, proposals, partnerships and early project development.
• Develop studio standards, improve workflows and support recruitment and onboarding.

Skills

Design leadership

BIM / Revit

Coordination

Client management

Presentation skills

Education

Master's in Architecture

Tools

Revit

Rhino/Grasshopper

Enscape

Twinmotion

SketchUp

Job description

Key responsibilities

• Lead feasibility studies concept design schematic design and detailed design translating briefs into coherent buildable architectural solutions
• Protect design intent throughout delivery including value engineering without diluting the concept
• Lead fa ade strategy and design development coordinating consultants engineers and specialist contractors
• Prepare and present design packages to clients partners stakeholders and review committees
• Work with the Design Director CEO to shape project creative direction and the studiou2019s own products
• Manage architects designers technicians and remote partners assigning tasks reviewing work and mentoring team members including the Senior Architectural Designer
• Own design programmes resource planning deliverable tracking and fee budget performance
• Act as the primary design contact for clients and project managers managing progress reporting risk escalation and change
• Coordinate structural MEP landscape interiors fire fa ade and sustainability consultants
• Lead the production and review of technical drawings specifications and construction documentation
• Ensure compliance with applicable UAE regulations and authority requirements including authority submissions
• Drive BIM strategy model structure LOD requirements quality checks and clash coordination
• Maintain Revit standards and workflows in line with the BIM Execution Plan and Common Data Environment
• Review contractor submittments shop drawings and mock-ups respond to RFIs and support site inspections
• Support bids proposals partnership discussions and early project development
• Develop studio standards improve delivery workflows and support recruitment onboarding and team development

Essential

• Masteru2019s degree in Architecture or equivalent. At least 7 yearsu2019 experience in architectural consultancy practice. Proven track record on large-scale commercial, mixed-use or hospitality projects. A strong conceptual portfolio compatible with the studiou2019s creative direction. High creativity and a genuine understanding of the region. Advanced Revit proficiency and strong BIM workflow knowledge. Fa ade design and coordination experience. Experience leading multidisciplinary coordination and managing design teams. Strong presentation, communication and client-management skills. Ability to explain and defend design ideas clearly and persuasively. Entrepreneurial, collaborative approach and confidence working in a small, fast-moving studio. Fluent English.

Desirable

• GCC authority approvals and local code experience. Middle East luxury hospitality or destination project experience. Familiarity with Rhino/Grasshopper, Enscape/Twinmotion and SketchUp. Experience working with remote teams or partners. UAE professional registration or equivalence, or willingness to pursue it.