Design Manager

Majid Al Futtaim; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading entertainment company in Dubai is seeking a Design Manager to oversee the entire design lifecycle of Leisure & Entertainment projects. You will ensure adherence to creative vision, brand standards, and operational needs while managing stakeholders and consultants. The ideal candidate has 8-12 years of experience in design management within relevant sectors and is proficient in design tools like AutoCAD and Revit. Strong leadership skills are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• 8–12 years of experience in design and project management within Leisure, Entertainment, Retail, or F&B.
• Experience managing consultants, stakeholders, and post‑contract design.
• High level of design and technical expertise, including materials and construction methods.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full design development process for all Leisure & Entertainment projects.
• Coordinate with external designers during concept and detailed design stages.
• Ensure quality assurance and brand consistency through enforcement of design guidelines.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Problem-solving

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Interior Architecture, Architecture, or Design Management

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Bluebeam

Job description

JOB TITLE

Design Manager | MAF Entertainment | Design & Construction

ROLE SUMMARY

The Design Manager – Leisure & Entertainment oversees the entire design lifecycle of L&E projects, ensuring creative vision, brand standards, and operational needs are delivered in the built environment. The role bridges consultants, internal teams, and execution partners, maintaining design integrity, value, and business alignment. It also provides post-contract design oversight—including shop drawings, material approvals, and site implementation.

ROLE PROFILE

• Manage the full design development process for all Leisure & Entertainment projects, ensuring creativity, technical accuracy, operational fit, and on‑time, on‑budget delivery.
• Coordinate concept, schematic, and detailed design stages with external designers while aligning brand identity, feasibility, and constructability.
• Lead cross‑functional coordination with Real Estate, Construction, Operations, and CoE to integrate functional, maintenance, and guest experience requirements.
• Own post‑contract design guardianship, including shop drawing reviews, material approvals, mock‑ups, and site quality inspections.
• Coordinate landlord and authority approvals, ensuring compliance with brand, mall, and regulatory requirements.
• Drive value engineering and cost optimization with QS, Procurement, and Construction while maintaining quality and brand standards.
• Act as the primary design interface for internal and external stakeholders, presenting updates and design reviews to senior and CEO‑level leadership.
• Ensure quality assurance and brand consistency through enforcement of design guidelines, standards, and site implementation reviews.

REQUIREMENTS

• 8–12 years of progressive experience in design and project management within Leisure, Entertainment, Retail, or F&B, including managing consultants, stakeholders, post‑contract design, and GCC developer/consultancy exposure.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Interior Architecture, Architecture, or Design Management.
• Strong leadership, coordination, and stakeholder management skills with a collaborative, problem‑solving mindset.
• High level of design and technical expertise, including materials, construction methods, landlord submissions, and fit‑out standards.
• Proficient in AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, and structured design review workflows, with excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Performance‑driven with a track record of timely approvals, cost and variation control, brand consistency, and efficient landlord coordination.