Design Manager

SML Engineering & Contracting; Fujairah City; On-site; AED 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

SML Engineering & Contracting is seeking a Design Manager to own the design of a luxury hotel development in Fujairah, UAE, from concept through construction and handover. You will manage approvals with UAE authorities, coordinate consultants, and ensure designs are buildable, on budget, and operator-ready.

The role requires a strong UAE background, hands-on detailing, and leadership of multidisciplinary design teams to deliver a premium hospitality project on schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture; Master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years in Design Management, with at least 5 years in the UAE.
• Proven hotel/hospitality design experience at luxury scale.
• Proven design-build delivery on contractor/developer side; EPC acceptable.
• Strong knowledge of UAE regulations, codes, and approvals.
• Hands-on detailing and constructability with fit-out potential.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Own and shape design from concept through handover for a luxury hotel.
• Lead design-build delivery, coordinating consultants through construction.
• Ensure buildability, detailing, fit-out, and finishes meet budget and schedule.
• Review and approve design deliverables, drawings, BOQs, and specs.
• Navigate UAE authority approvals with Fujairah authorities and operators.
• Identify design risks and drive value engineering balancing aesthetics and practicality.
• Oversee design programme milestones and provide site direction during construction.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Detail orientation

Project coordination

Commercial awareness

Team motivation

Translate design intent

Education

Bachelor's in Architecture

Master's degree

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Adobe Creative Suite

MS Office

Job description

JOB PURPOSE

The Design Manager will own and shape the design of a Luxury Hotel Development in Fujairah, UAE, from concept through construction and handover. In a project where SML is the developer, designer, builder, and operator, the role defines the design intent, details, and specifications; ensures they are buildable, on budget, and operator-ready; and hands them over clearly to the construction and fit-out teams. The role manages the full design process: approvals with UAE authorities, consultant coordination, and design support during construction.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and shape the design from concept to handover: define design intent, detailing, materials, and specifications, rather than only coordinating a design that is already frozen.
• Manage design-build delivery, coordinating and directing consultants and designers through to the construction stage, and carrying design ownership into execution.
• Ensure the design is buildable, with strong focus on constructability, detailing, fit-out, and finishes, working hands-on with site and construction teams as works progress.
• Review and approve design deliverables, drawings, BOQs, and specifications for technical accuracy, completeness, and alignment with the project budget and programme.
• Manage stakeholder and authority approvals in the UAE during the design stage, including Fujairah authorities, the hotel operator, and the owner/client side.
• Identify design risks and lead value engineering and practical solutions, balancing aesthetic, technical, operational, and commercial priorities.
• Manage the design programme, tracking milestones and deliverables across all consultants, and provide design direction and clarifications to site during construction.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture (architect by training is required); a Master's degree is preferred.
• 10+ years of Design Management experience, including a minimum of 5 years within the UAE.
• Proven hotel experience: delivered Luxury Hotel, Hospitality, or High-End developments.
• Proven design-build experience on the contractor/developer side, coordinating and managing design and then construction. EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) background is also acceptable.
• Strong UAE experience is essential, with strong knowledge of UAE building regulations, codes, and authority approval processes, and stakeholder/authority management at design stage.
• Hands-on technical background in detailing, constructability, and execution, with capability to progress into a fit-out management role (a consultancy-only or a coordination-only design manager background will not meet this requirement).
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, and MS Office.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Excellent leadership skills, with the ability to manage and motivate multidisciplinary design teams.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills across consultants, contractors, authorities, operator, and client representatives.
• Sharp eye for design detail and quality standards appropriate to luxury/hospitality-grade developments.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple design packages and deadlines concurrently.
• Sound commercial awareness, including BOQ review and value engineering practices.
• Ability to translate design intent into clear information for site, subcontractors, and fit-out teams.