Architecture Design Lead

Arada; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Arada is seeking a Design Manager – Architecture to lead the architectural design process from concept through IFC and into construction support, ensuring alignment with the design intent, cost, programme, and quality benchmarks.

You will lead consultants, manage design governance, coordinate with Development, Commercial, Construction and Project Management teams, and ensure compliance with UAE planning regulations and global best practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture (Master's degree preferred).
• Membership of a recognised professional architectural body such as RIBA or AIA preferred.
• Minimum 12 years of experience in consultancy and/or developer environments.
• Experience delivering projects in the Middle East, UAE preferred.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the full architectural design lifecycle from concept through IFC and tender.
• Act as ARADA's design custodian, maintaining design vision, brand and quality up to construction.
• Oversee consultants’ design activities, monitoring progress, deliverables and compliance.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, consultants, contractors and supervision teams.
• Assess, appoint and manage design consultants including scope, fees and contracts.
• Chair design review meetings, workshops and ensure timely close-out of actions.
• Monitor design in line with budgets and master programme up to IFC.
• Ensure design solutions align with investment case and cost plans.
• Identify and report design risks, issues and milestones.
• Review design documentation for quality, coordination and constructability.
• Oversee QA processes, value engineering and design optimization.
• Ensure compliance with UAE planning regs and international best practices.
• Maintain awareness of Fire & Life Safety codes and regulations.
• Prepare tender strategies and manage RFPs; evaluate submissions.
• Support construction phase with RFIs, shop drawings and material submissions.
• Contribute to Project Management Plan and Design Implementation Plan.
• Ensure governance and reporting standards across projects.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Design governance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture

Master's degree preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Adobe Suite

BIM implementation

Job description

Arada is seeking a Design Manager – Architecture to lead the architectural design process from concept through IFC and into construction support, ensuring alignment with the design intent, cost, programme, and quality benchmarks.

You will lead consultants, manage design governance, coordinate with Development, Commercial, Construction and Project Management teams, and ensure compliance with UAE planning regulations and global best practices.