Design Manager

Client of AW Connect; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Client of AW Connect is seeking a Design Manager/Lead Interior Designer to take ownership of design delivery across multiple projects from brief to site handover. The role requires leading a team, ensuring designs reflect client goals, budget constraints and project readiness for construction teams.

You will lead client design meetings, present concepts, manage feedback and approvals, and coordinate with project managers, procurement, suppliers and subcontractors to align design decisions with

Qualifications

• Experience leading a design team and reviewing work.
• Strong knowledge of interior detailing, materials and finishes.
• Experience coordinating with joinery and specialist suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design team, assign workloads and review drawings and specs.
• Lead client design meetings, present concepts and manage feedback and approvals.
• Oversee space planning, material/finish selections, technical drawings and detailing for bespoke joinery and kitchens.
• Coordinate with project managers, procurement, suppliers and subcontractors to align design with budgets, lead times and site conditions.
• Review shop drawings, resolve design queries and manage design changes through handover.

Skills

Team leadership

Client coordination

Technical detailing

English language

Italian language

Tools

Joinery coordination

Job description

You ll lead the design team and take ownership of design delivery across multiple projects From the first client brief through to site delivery you ll make sure designs reflect what the client wants can be built within budget and are ready when the project team needs them

What you ll do

• Lead the design team assign workloads and review drawings and specifications before issue
• Lead client design meetings present concepts and manage feedback and approvals
• Oversee space planning material and finish selections technical drawings and detailing for bespoke joinery and kitchens
• Coordinate with project managers procurement suppliers and subcontractors to align design decisions with budgets lead times and site conditions
• Review shop drawings resolve design queries during construction and manage design changes through handover

Experience as a Design Manager, Lead Interior Designer or Senior Interior Designer with responsibility for leading a team and reviewing its work.

A portfolio of residential renovation, villa refurbishment or interior fit-out projects that shows your involvement from concept through site delivery.

Strong technical knowledge of interior detailing, materials and finishes, with experience coordinating joinery and specialist suppliers.

Confidence presenting to clients and managing design decisions across multiple projects.

Professional fluency in Italian and English. UAE fit-out experience is an advantage.