Design Manager- Buildings

GHD; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A global professional services company is seeking a Design Manager in Abu Dhabi. You will lead the design delivery of complex building projects, collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams, and mentor design staff. The ideal candidate has a strong background in architecture or engineering and proven skills in leadership and stakeholder management. This role offers an opportunity to impact large-scale projects while working in a global environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing design delivery for large-scale building projects.
• Strong technical background in architecture, engineering, or related disciplines.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work across disciplines and geographies in a collaborative environment.
• Experience in mentoring and developing design teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage design delivery of complex projects within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Work closely with Project Manager and Project Director to achieve project objectives.
• Oversee design functions across multiple market sectors or business groups.
• Secure additional project support and optimize resource utilization.
• Manage and mentor a high-performing design team.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Collaboration

Education

Degree in Architecture, Engineering or related disciplines

Job description

About GHD

We are committed to solving the world's biggest challenges in the areas of water, energy and urbanization. GHD is a global professional services company that is a leader in engineering, construction and architectural expertise. Established in 1928, we remain wholly owned by our people. We are 14,000+ diverse and skilled individuals, yet we are proudly ‘One GHD’ across more than 200 offices, spanning five continents – Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America, and the Pacific region. Delivering extraordinary social and economic outcomes, we are passionate about building lasting relationships with our partners and clients.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly experienced Design Manager to lead the design delivery of complex building projects within a multi-disciplinary team. This role requires strategic oversight, technical excellence, and strong leadership to ensure seamless collaboration across regional and global teams.

Responsibilities

• Design Manager is responsible for managing the design delivery of complex projects within a multi-disciplinary team, working closely with both the Project Manager and Project Director. This role involves overseeing design functions across multiple market sectors or business groups, ensuring seamless collaboration with regional and global teams to achieve project objectives and meet client requirements.
• Design Manager works closely with other regions and disciplines to secure additional project support as needed, optimizing resource utilization and providing expert knowledge to resolve design challenges across various project phases. They ensure all client requirements are well understood and incorporated into the design process to make informed, strategic decisions.
• Additionally, Design Manager is responsible for managing and mentoring a high-performing design team. They work closely with leadership to monitor team performance, address resource requirements, manage absences, and ensure alignment with project delivery goals. The role requires a sense of ownership and responsibility, facing challenges proactively while balancing the needs of the team and the client to ensure successful project outcomes.

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven experience in managing design delivery for large-scale building projects.
• Strong technical background in architecture, engineering, or related disciplines.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work across disciplines and geographies in a collaborative environment.
• Experience in mentoring and developing design teams.

Our commitment to you

Commitment is a powerful word that defines how we do business, how we serve our clients and how we care for one another. We will support your needs by giving you the tools to do your best work and then recognize achievements. We will set your curiosity free to allow brilliant minds to do their best work. We will invest in new ideas, removing barriers where we can. Finally, we will encourage you to collaborate with thousands of diverse people across our global business.

Interested? Please hit the apply now button.

At GHD, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunities and invites applications from people of all nationalities, genders, and cultural backgrounds.