Chief Design Management Executive | Multisector Leader

Aldar; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Aldar is seeking an Executive Director - Design Management to lead the Design Management function across three product verticals: Upper & Luxury Residential; Commercial, Retail & Hospitality; and National Housing, Education & Civic. You will translate commercial briefs into high-quality design outcomes while balancing ambition with programme constraints.

You will build a world-class in-house design management capability serving government and private clients, leading a multi-disciplinary team

Qualifications

• Minimum 16 years' experience in architectural design management or urban development.
• At least 6 years in a senior executive leadership role.
• Proven leadership of large multi-disciplinary design teams.
• Master's degree in architecture, urban design or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead design management across three product verticals (residential, commercial, civic).
• Direct design response to briefs ensuring market-differentiated outcomes and alignment with timelines and budgets.
• Chair design reviews and approve or escalate design decisions at governance stages.
• Maintain strong executive interfaces with client groups and senior stakeholders.

Skills

Architectural design management

Executive leadership

GCC market experience

BIM

AI-assisted design tools

Education

Master's degree in architecture/urban design

Tools

BIM

AI-assisted design tools

Job description

Aldar is seeking an Executive Director - Design Management to lead the Design Management function across three product verticals: Upper & Luxury Residential; Commercial, Retail & Hospitality; and National Housing, Education & Civic. You will translate commercial briefs into high-quality design outcomes while balancing ambition with programme constraints.

You will build a world-class in-house design management capability serving government and private clients, leading a multi-disciplinary team