Design Manager

GHD; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

GHD in Abu Dhabi seeks a experienced Design Manager to lead the Design Business Group, coordinating design and BIM across projects. You will collaborate with directors and engineers to ensure quality outcomes from concept through construction.

The role demands strong leadership, mentoring capabilities and the ability to secure resources, oversee proposals, and maintain schedules while upholding EMS standards. This is a client-facing, impactful position in the Middle East market.

Qualifications

• Experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and mentoring graduates.
• Ability to elicit cooperation from senior management, clients and departments.
• Proven track record delivering design projects on time and within budget.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and ensure design and BIM model coordination across projects.
• Position the business for opportunities and oversee proposals.
• Manage workload and resources for the Business Group.
• Ensure design quality and compliance with EMS standards.
• Develop briefs, budgets and progress with Project Managers and Directors.
• Build relationships with other GHD offices and mentor graduates.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

People skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture or Built Environment

Job description

Description

Job Title: Design Manager

Location: Abu Dhabi UAE

Reports to: Business Group Leader

Company: GHD

Role Purpose: We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Design Manager to join our Design Business Group in Abu Dhabi. The successful candidate will play a key role in collaborating with various business groups project directors and engineers/architects on a range of projects from small to large scale. The primary purpose of this role is to ensure design and BIM model coordination across projects in the office.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical expertise and establish strong relationships with clients.
• Position the business for opportunities and oversee the development and submission of proposals.
• Secure schedule and manage workload for the Business Group.
• Provide leadership to the Service Group in line with GHDs values purpose goals and objectives.
• Ensure the Group has the necessary materials and resources to deliver quality service and documentation.
• Develop and agree on job work packages budgets and progress with Project Managers and Project Directors.
• Manage the allocation of people to projects in agreement with Project Managers and Project Directors.
• Build effective relationships with other GHD offices.
• Mentor graduate professionals within the business.
• Enhance the profile of the business in the market and ensure sustainable growth of the Groups revenues.
• Ensure the design quality and technical soundness of work produced by the Group.
• Manage and mitigate risk within the Service Group and ensure compliance with EMS standards.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Architecture Built Environment or a related field. PMI or APM certification is desirable.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in a Project/Design Management role.
• Extensive design experience from concept through to construction across various project types including residential commercial hospitality medical leisure education and highrise developments.
• Ability to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of stakeholders including senior management clients and various departments.
• Experience working with project teams for reviewing design deliverables conducting detailed reviews and checks and issuing checking reports.
• Proven track record of delivering multidisciplinary design projects on time and within budget.
• Experience in preparing design briefs fee proposals and negotiating contracts with subcontractors/subconsultants.
• Middle East experience and working knowledge of design and construction practices specific to the region.
• High work performance and excellent people skills.

Required Experience:

Manager