Design Manager – Buildings, UAE

SSH; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 350,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

SSH in Dubai seeks an experienced Design Manager – Buildings to lead the design delivery of complex, high-profile projects across the UAE. You will manage multidisciplinary teams through all design stages, ensuring architectural intent, quality, programme and client requirements are integrated.

The ideal candidate has 12+ years in major building design, with strong UAE/GCC experience and a solid background in luxury, hospitality, and large-scale developments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture or a related built-environment discipline.
• Professional accreditation or chartership is advantageous.
• Typically 12+ years' experience, including significant experience managing the design of major building projects.
• Strong background within a reputable architectural or multidisciplinary design consultancy.
• Proven experience on high-end hotels, resorts, mixed-use developments, high-rise residential, commercial or large-scale masterplan-related building projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the multidisciplinary design process from concept through schematic, detailed design and tender/documentation stages.
• Coordinate Architecture, Structures, MEP and specialist disciplines to ensure a fully integrated design solution.
• Manage design programmes, deliverables, resources and key project milestones.
• Act as a key interface between clients, consultants, specialist designers and internal project teams.
• Drive design coordination workshops and ensure timely resolution of multidisciplinary design issues.
• Review design packages for quality, technical compliance, constructability and coordination.
• Ensure designs meet applicable UAE authority requirements, codes, standards and project specifications.
• Manage design changes, technical queries and design-related risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support Project Directors and senior leadership in maintaining strong client relationships and achieving successful project outcomes.
• Mentor and guide architects, coordinators and other members of the project design team.
• Promote effective BIM-led coordination and collaborative working across disciplines.

Skills

Leadership

Client-facing communication

Stakeholder management

BIM coordination

Education

Architecture degree

Professional accreditation

Tools

BIM software

Job description

Role Overview

SSH is seeking an experienced Design Manager – Buildings to join its Dubai team and lead the design delivery of complex, high-profile building projects across the UAE and wider region. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing multidisciplinary design teams through all stages of design, ensuring architectural intent, technical quality, programme and client requirements are successfully coordinated and delivered. The role is particularly suited to candidates with strong experience in large-scale mixed-use, hospitality, high-rise residential, commercial and luxury developments within leading international or regional design consultancies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the multidisciplinary design process from concept through schematic, detailed design and tender/documentation stages.
• Coordinate Architecture, Structures, MEP and specialist disciplines to ensure a fully integrated design solution.
• Manage design programmes, deliverables, resources and key project milestones.
• Act as a key interface between clients, consultants, specialist designers and internal project teams.
• Drive design coordination workshops and ensure timely resolution of multidisciplinary design issues.
• Review design packages for quality, technical compliance, constructability and coordination.
• Ensure designs meet applicable UAE authority requirements, codes, standards and project specifications.
• Manage design changes, technical queries and design-related risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support Project Directors and senior leadership in maintaining strong client relationships and achieving successful project outcomes.
• Mentor and guide architects, coordinators and other members of the project design team.
• Promote effective BIM-led coordination and collaborative working across disciplines.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture or a related built-environment discipline.
• Professional accreditation or chartership is advantageous.
• Typically 12+ years' experience, including significant experience managing the design of major building projects.
• Strong background within a reputable architectural or multidisciplinary design consultancy.
• Proven experience on high-end hotels, resorts, mixed-use developments, high-rise residential, commercial or large-scale masterplan-related building projects.
• Demonstrable experience managing complex multidisciplinary design teams.
• Strong understanding of the full design lifecycle from concept through detailed design and tender/construction documentation.
• Previous UAE/GCC project experience is strongly preferred.
• Good understanding of BIM processes and multidisciplinary design coordination.
• Excellent client-facing, communication, leadership and stakeholder-management skills.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are particularly interested in Design Managers who combine strong architectural and technical knowledge with excellent leadership and client-management capabilities. Candidates should be comfortable operating on complex, design-led projects where multiple disciplines, specialist consultants and stakeholders require close coordination. Experience delivering landmark hospitality, luxury residential, high-rise or large mixed-use developments in the UAE or GCC would be highly advantageous.