Design Director - Retail

Skilled Careers; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Skilled Careers seeks a Director of Design to oversee the design of retail developments in Dubai. The role requires leading complex design programmes from concept through construction and handover, with a focus on retail environments.

You will manage multidisciplinary consultants and coordinate with development, leasing and operations to ensure delivery aligns with commercial objectives, budgets and schedules. UAE/GCC experience is advantageous for this senior leadership position.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12-15 years' experience in architectural design leadership or design management.
• Significant retail design experience across shopping centres and retail-led mixed-use developments.
• Strong understanding of retail planning, customer experience and commercial design considerations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design process from strategic briefing and concept through detailed design and project completion.
• Manage multidisciplinary design consultants, architects, engineers and specialist teams.
• Oversee retail planning, customer circulation, placemaking and destination design.
• Coordinate design requirements with development, leasing and operational stakeholders.
• Manage design quality, technical coordination, value engineering and regulatory approvals.
• Oversee anchor tenant requirements, retail fit-out interfaces and design integration.
• Ensure design outcomes align with commercial objectives, budgets and project programmes.

Skills

Design leadership

Retail design

Stakeholder management

Project management

Job description

We are currently recruiting for a Director of Design to oversee the design of retail developments in Dubai.

This position requires a highly experienced design professional with a strong background in retail environments, capable of leading complex design programmes from initial concept through to construction and handover.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design process from strategic briefing and concept through detailed design and project completion.
• Manage multidisciplinary design consultants, architects, engineers and specialist teams.
• Oversee retail planning, customer circulation, placemaking and destination design.
• Coordinate design requirements with development, leasing and operational stakeholders.
• Manage design quality, technical coordination, value engineering and regulatory approvals.
• Oversee anchor tenant requirements, retail fit-out interfaces and design integration.
• Ensure design outcomes align with commercial objectives, budgets and project programmes.

Candidate Requirements:

• Minimum 12-15 years' experience in architectural design leadership or design management.
• Significant retail design experience is essential, particularly across shopping centres, retail destinations and retail-led mixed-use developments.
• Strong understanding of retail planning, tenant requirements, customer experience and commercial design considerations.
• Proven experience managing large-scale developments through all design stages.
• Developer or leading design consultancy experience preferred.
• UAE/GCC experience advantageous.

Candidates without demonstrable experience in major retail design projects will not be considered.