Design Manager

Oneworks; Sharjah; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Oneworks is seeking a Senior Architect/Design Manager to lead the architectural design on our Sharjah Airport project from our site office in Sharjah. You will liaise with the client and stakeholders, manage the design team, and ensure design excellence across all stages.

The role requires 8–15 years in architectural design with a minimum of 3 years on aviation projects, and strong leadership, coordination, and English communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture; Master’s degree preferred.
• 8–15 years’ experience in architectural design, including a minimum of 3 years’ experience on aviation projects.
• Proven experience leading design teams and managing design deliverables within complex, large-scale building and infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of architectural design principles, detailing, materials, and building systems within high-profile developments.
• Thorough knowledge of international and local codes and standards.
• UAE/GCC experience required; aviation or airport project experience essential.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and coordination skills in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Professional fluency in English (written and spoken).

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the successful delivery of the architectural design scope for the Sharjah Airport project, ensuring compliance with scope, budget, programme, and quality standards.
• Lead and oversee architectural design development, reviews, coordination, and execution across all project stages, from concept through to construction and handover.
• Manage the design team, ensuring performance aligns with project scope, schedule, and quality expectations, and coordinating input from all design disciplines and sub-consultants.
• Review and approve architectural deliverables, drawings, and submittals to ensure compliance with codes, standards, and project requirements.
• Identify, manage, and mitigate design, technical, and programme risks, ensuring close coordination with other disciplines.
• Monitor design progress against the project programme, coordinating with engineering disciplines and contractors through to construction and handover.
• Liaise and manage relationships with the client and project stakeholders; maintain strong client and stakeholder relations, and represent the Company in design meetings, workshops, and presentations.
• Provide technical input on variations, claims, and contractual matters relating to the design scope.
• Mentor and develop architectural staff, fostering knowledge transfer and best practice implementation.
• Report regularly to Company management on design progress, risks, and key issues, and take proactive decisions to address deviations in schedule, scope, or quality.

Skills

Architectural design leadership

Aviation project experience

Team leadership

Communication

Coordination

Building systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Oneworks is looking for a talented Senior Architect / Design Manager to join our team, leading architectural design on our landmark Sharjah Airport project from our site office in Sharjah.

Location: Sharjah, UAE (based full-time at our site office for the Sharjah Airport project; travel to our Dubai head office and other project locations may be required depending on project needs)

What we offer:

Be a part of our multidisciplinary team delivering complex, high-profile, and technically challenging projects worldwide. Our projects range from major airports and metro systems to infrastructure and landmark developments. Leading the architectural design on our flagship Sharjah Airport project, you will play a leading role in liaising with the client and project stakeholders, managing the design team and deliverables, and ensuring the highest standards of architectural design excellence throughout the project.

Job requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture; Master’s degree preferred.


• 8–15 years’ experience in architectural design, including a minimum of 3 years’ experience on aviation projects.


• Proven experience leading design teams and managing design deliverables within complex, large-scale building and infrastructure projects.


• Strong understanding of architectural design principles, detailing, materials, and building systems within high-profile developments.


• Thorough knowledge of international and local codes and standards.


• UAE/GCC experience required; aviation or airport project experience essential.


• Excellent communication, leadership, and coordination skills in a multidisciplinary environment.


• Professional fluency in English (written and spoken).

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Take ownership of the successful delivery of the architectural design scope for the Sharjah Airport project, ensuring compliance with scope, budget, programme, and quality standards.


• Lead and oversee architectural design development, reviews, coordination, and execution across all project stages, from concept through to construction and handover.


• Manage the design team, ensuring performance aligns with project scope, schedule, and quality expectations, and coordinating input from all design disciplines and sub-consultants.


• Review and approve architectural deliverables, drawings, and submittals to ensure compliance with codes, standards, and project requirements.


• Identify, manage, and mitigate design, technical, and programme risks, ensuring close coordination with other disciplines.


• Monitor design progress against the project programme, coordinating with engineering disciplines and contractors through to construction and handover.


• Liaise and manage relationships with the client and project stakeholders; maintain strong client and stakeholder relations, and represent the Company in design meetings, workshops, and presentations.


• Provide technical input on variations, claims, and contractual matters relating to the design scope.


• Mentor and develop architectural staff, fostering knowledge transfer and best practice implementation.


• Report regularly to Company management on design progress, risks, and key issues, and take proactive decisions to address deviations in schedule, scope, or quality.