Design Manager

Arada; Dubai; On-site; AED 420,000 - 660,000; Full time

Job summary

Arada in Dubai is seeking a Design Manager – Architecture to lead the architectural design process from concept to construction support, ensuring alignment with the design intent, investment case, cost, programme and quality benchmarks.

You will guide multi-disciplinary teams, oversee consultants, manage design governance, and ensure compliance with UAE planning regulations and international best practices, while balancing cost, schedule and quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture required; Master's preferred.
• Experience: minimum 12 years in consultancy/development environments for large-scale projects.
• Fluency in English; strong leadership and stakeholder management.
• Proficient in AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe Suite and BIM processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead full architectural design lifecycle from concept to IFC and construction support.
• Manage design consultants, contracts, fees, and coordination across teams.
• Ensure design quality, compliance with UAE regulations and international best practices.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

Design governance

Project management

Education

Bachelor's in Architecture

Master's degree preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Adobe Suite

BIM

Job description

About Us

At Arada, we create communities that inspire healthier, happier and more meaningful lives. Through innovative developments, exceptional customer experiences and a commitment to sustainability, we are shaping places where people can live, work and thrive. Joining Arada means becoming part of a collaborative, ambitious and forward-thinking team dedicated to delivering excellence across every aspect of our business.

Role Purpose

The Design Manager – Architecture will lead and manage the architectural design process from concept through IFC and into construction support, ensuring alignment with ARADA's design intent, investment case, cost, programme, and quality benchmarks. The role requires strong leadership of consultants, rigorous design governance, and close collaboration with internal stakeholders across Development, Commercial, Construction, and Project Management teams.

Key Responsibilities

Design Leadership & Management

• Lead and manage the full architectural design lifecycle from concept design through tender and IFC, in collaboration with international and local consultants.
• Act as ARADA's design custodian, ensuring the original design vision, brand, and quality benchmarks are maintained through all project stages up to construction.
• Oversee and guide consultants’ design activities, monitoring progress, deliverables, and compliance at all design stages.

Consultant & Stakeholder Management

• Liaise closely with internal stakeholders, external consultants, contractors, and construction/supervision management teams.
• Assess, appoint, and manage design consultants, including scope definition, fee negotiation, contract administration, performance monitoring, and variation control.
• Chair and participate in design review meetings, workshops, and coordination sessions; review minutes and ensure timely close-out of actions.

Cost, Programme & Risk Control

• Monitor and manage the design in line with approved project budgets throughout the design lifecycle up to IFC.
• Ensure design solutions remain aligned with the approved investment case, cost plans, and master programme.
• Identify, manage, and report project risks, design issues, and key milestones to stakeholders on a regular basis.

Design Review, Quality & Compliance

• Review architectural design documentation at all stages to ensure quality, completeness, coordination, and constructability.
• Oversee design quality assurance processes, value engineering initiatives, and design optimization exercises.
• Ensure compliance with local authority requirements, UAE planning regulations, and international best practices.
• Maintain strong awareness of UAE and international Fire & Life Safety codes and regulations and ensure full compliance.

Tendering & Procurement Support

• Prepare and support tender strategies for consultants, contractors, and specialist packages in coordination with the Commercial Management team.
• Prepare, issue, and manage RFPs; evaluate technical submissions and provide recommendations.
• Interface with Commercial and Procurement teams to support the appointment of services and design-related packages.

Construction Phase Support

• Support the construction team during delivery by reviewing RFIs, material submissions, mock‑ups, and shop drawings.
• Monitor material selection and construction queries to ensure alignment with the approved design intent.
• Coordinate with site teams to resolve design issues efficiently without compromising quality.

Process & Governance

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Project Management Plan and Design Implementation Plan.
• Ensure design management procedures, reporting standards, and governance processes are followed consistently across projects.

Qualifications & Professional Membership

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture (Master's degree preferred).
• Membership of a recognised professional architectural body such as RIBA, AIA, or equivalent is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 12 years’ experience within a consultancy and/or developer environment, with strong exposure to large-scale developments.
• Proven experience delivering projects in the Middle East, with UAE experience strongly preferred.
• Solid understanding of the UAE legal, authority approval, and planning framework related to architectural design.
• Strong proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe Suite, and BIM implementation processes.
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary BIM coordination and design delivery in complex developments.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercially astute with the ability to balance design ambition with cost and programme realities.
• Excellent communication skills with fluency in English.
• Detail-oriented, proactive, and confident working in a fast-paced, developer-led environment.

Using GenAI in Your Application Process

To support a fair and consistent experience for all candidates, we ask that assessments and interviews are completed independently and without assistance from generative AI tools. This ensures we understand your strengths, your thinking, and how you approach real situations.

Why join Arada?

At Arada, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to projects that transform communities while working alongside talented professionals in a culture that values innovation, collaboration and continuous growth. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Arada is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and make employment decisions based on merit, experience and business needs.