Design Manager

Zohorecruit; Dubai; On-site; AED 279,000 - 469,000; Full time

Job summary

ELE Interior seeks a Design Manager to lead the design team across luxury residential, hospitality and commercial projects in Dubai. You will own the design process from concept through handover, coordinate with production, procurement, and client teams, and ensure designs meet aesthetic, budget, and timeline goals.

You will mentor senior and junior designers, review drawings, attend client meetings, and drive consistency in presentations, space planning, and material selections.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design/Architecture.
• Proven experience as Design Manager or Senior Interior Designer.
• Expertise in luxury residential, hospitality, and commercial interior design.
• Proficient in AutoCAD, Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Excel/Word, PowerPoint, SketchUp and 3DS Max.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the design process from initiation to final handover, ensuring the team is aligned with project goals.
• Take full ownership of projects from initial client meetings through to on-site completion and handover.
• Ensure that designs are optimized for both aesthetic appeal and budgetary feasibility.
• Collaborate with the procurement team to ensure materials and furnishings align with project goals and budget.
• Manage projects from concept to delivery, ensuring client satisfaction, timely completion, and seamless communication with clients, vendors, and the team.
• Produce and present presentations, collaborating with the production team and delivering designs directly to clients, leading by example to ensure alignment with their vision.
• Oversee design, FF&E procurement, and materials library to meet project goals.
• Negotiate contracts with suppliers for cost-effective, high-quality solutions.
• Conduct site visits to ensure accurate design implementation.
• Attend client meetings with the design team as requested by the Studio Director, General Manager, or Founder.
• Act as a point of contact for problem-solving, addressing client concerns, and ensuring effective communication with the design team when needed.
• Provide mentorship and development opportunities for designers, ensuring continuous learning and skill development.
• Organize regular team feedback sessions to foster collaboration and creativity within the design team.
• Resolve technical issues, review space planning and presentations, and attend internal or external meetings as required.
• Review the daily work of the production team to gauge productivity and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Track team KPIs in detail, focusing on the accuracy of deliverables, the number of revisions, speed, and overall work ethic.
• Organize and lead workshops aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of the production team.

Skills

Leadership

Team Management

Communication

Creative thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Interior Design/Architecture

Tools

AutoCAD

Photoshop

Illustrator

Microsoft Excel/Word

PowerPoint

SketchUp

3DS Max

Job description

As Design Manager, you will oversee and foster collaboration across multiple departments within the studio, ensuring seamless

communication and alignment between design, production, sales, marketing, and admin teams. This collaborative approach is

essential for maintaining a cohesive studio culture, driving growth, and ensuring the successful delivery of projects that align with

both client expectations and the studio’s strategic objectives.

Main Scope of Responsibilities:

Design Department

o Take ownership of the design process from initiation to final handover, ensuring the team is aligned with project goals.

o Take full ownership of projects from initial client meetings through to on-site completion and handover.

o Ensure that designs are optimized for both aesthetic appeal and budgetary feasibility.

o Collaborate with the procurement team to ensure materials and furnishings align with project goals and budget.

Lead Designers' Responsibilities:

o Manage projects from concept to delivery, ensuring client satisfaction, timely completion, and seamless communication with

clients, vendors, and the team.

o Produce and present presentations, collaborating with the production team and delivering designs directly to clients, leading

by example to ensure alignment with their vision. Oversee design, FF&E procurement, and materials library to meet project

goals.

o Negotiate contracts with suppliers for cost-effective, high-quality solutions.

o Conduct site visits to ensure accurate design implementation.

Design Team Management (Senior & Junior Designers)

Client Meetings:

o Attend client meetings with the design team as requested by the Studio Director, General Manager, or Founder. - change

Client Management:

o Act as a point of contact for problem-solving, addressing client concerns, and ensuring effective communication with the

design team when needed.

Team Guidance & Support:

o Provide mentorship and development opportunities for designers, ensuring continuous learning and skill development.

o Organize regular team feedback sessions to foster collaboration and creativity within the design team.

Project Review Support:

o Support the Studio Director with team guidance, including:

Resolving technical issues

Reviewing space planning and presentations

Attending internal or external meetings as required

Production Team:

Production Review:

o Review the daily work of the production team (Visualizers/Drafters) to gauge productivity and identify opportunities for

improvement.

o Work on strategies to improve the efficiency of the Technical Drafting and Visualization team, in coordination with the Studio

Director.

KPI Tracking:

o Track team KPIs in detail, focusing on the accuracy of deliverables, the number of revisions, speed, and overall work ethic.

Workshop & Education:

o Organize and lead workshops aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of the production team, in collaboration with the

Studio Director and Founder for both Technical Drawings and 3D Visualization.

Drawing Review:

o Review drawing packages where possible, highlighting recurring mistakes. Collaborate with the Studio Director on new

strategies/formats to reduce or eliminate these issues.

Presentations Review :

o Review all client presentations, including space planning, moodboards, and 3D presentations, ensuring design consistency.

Weekly Reports:

o Prepare a weekly performance report for the production team, detailing achievements, concerns, risks, and targets.

Scheduling & Resource Management

Resource Planning & Scheduling:

o Work with the Studio Director to plan resources at the start of each project and monitor progress throughout the project cycle.

Resource Management:

o Schedule and prioritize tasks, particularly urgent requirements such as revisions or delays to ensure project timelines are

met, while coordinating with and reporting directly to the Studio Director

.Scheduling Software Implementation (Zoho Projects):

o Initiate the use of a platform introduced by ELE Interior for efficient scheduling and resource tracking.

Daily Schedule Review:

o Review schedules daily to ensure tasks are completed on time, and that all projects adhere to previously agreed timelines.

Tracking KPIs:

o Assist the Studio Director in tracking team KPIs, focusing on timelines and the number of revisions.

Project Monitoring:

o Track project progress and deadlines daily. Reschedule tasks when disruptions occur.

Weekly Meetings:

o Attend weekly meetings with the Studio Director and Lead Designers to assess project progress and status.

Design Approvals:

o Ensure approvals obtained before advancing to next phase of design process (e.g., Phase 1.1 signature and

payment before Phase 1.2).

Reporting Issues:

o Report any missed deadlines or issues to the Studio Director.

SOP Improvements:

o Work with the Studio director to continuously refine internal SOPs, implementing best practices for project delivery, resource

management, and client communications.

Professional Development

o Industry Knowledge:

Maintain industry knowledge and stay updated on trends to ensure design work remains relevant. Research and stay

up to date on Hospitality design styles, material preferences, brand guidelines and changes in regulation to ensure all

designs align with their specific needs, standards, and expectations

o Industry Events:

Represent the Ele Interior at key industry events, fostering connections with the design community and gathering insights

into emerging trends.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design/Architecture.
  
• Proven experience as a Design Manager or Senior Interior Designer with a strong passion for creative design.
  
• Expertise in luxury residential, hospitality, and commercial interior design.
  
• Proficient in software such as AutoCAD, Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Excel/word, PowerPoint, SketchUp and 3DS Max.
  
• Strong creative, organizational, and communication skills.
  
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a large team of staff with strong leadership, mentoring, and interpersonal skills.
  
• Valid UAE driving license and vehicle.
  
• Must be flexible and available for international travel based on business needs.