Design Manager - Hospitality and Retail Interiors

AlFuttaim; Dubai; On-site; AED 450,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

Al-Futtaim Real Estate is hiring a Design Manager - Interiors in Dubai, UAE to lead hospitality and retail interior design from concept through construction delivery.

You will manage briefs, coordinate FF&E, and ensure brand alignment and guest experience across projects, while overseeing schedules and procurement strategies. This role requires extensive leadership, stakeholder coordination, and design governance.

Qualifications

• Degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of interior design and management experience.
• Hospitality and retail project experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define comprehensive design briefs covering project context, brand positioning, guest experience, and technical requirements.
• Guide hospitality and retail interior projects from concept to schematic design and tender documentation.
• Provide design advice to Project Management teams during delivery.
• Lead design reviews for quality, compliance, and brand alignment.

Skills

Interior design management

Hospitality/retail design

FF&E coordination

MEP coordination

Stakeholder management

Presentation skills

Research on design trends

Budgeting & procurement

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Interior Design or Architecture

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Suite

Primavera

Job description

Design Manager - Hospitality and Retail Interiors Job Snapshot Role: Design Manager - Interiors Location: Dubai, UAE Industry: Real Estate Function: Architecture-Interior Design Experience: 10 years of experience in interior design and management roles Job Type: Full Time Position Overview Al-Futtaim Real Estate is hiring a Design Manager - Interiors in Dubai, UAE to manage interior design activities for hospitality and retail developments. The role oversees design quality, consultant coordination, stakeholder requirements, technical compliance, brand alignment, and customer experience from initial concept through construction delivery. Working within the Development and Design department, the Design Manager will establish project briefs, review interior design packages, coordinate FF&E and technical requirements, manage design schedules and procurement strategies, and provide clear recommendations for executive decision-making. The position also contributes to market research, design strategy, budgeting, and continuous improvement of design management systems. Job Details Country: UAE City: Dubai Industry: Real Estate Function: Architecture-Interior Design Salary: Not disclosed Gender: No Preference Candidate Nationality: Not specified Job Type: Full Time Work Arrangement: On-site

Interior Design Management

• Define comprehensive design briefs covering project context, brand positioning, guest and customer experience expectations, and technical requirements.
• Guide hospitality and retail interior projects from concept development through schematic design and tender documentation.
• Provide design advice to Project Management teams throughout project delivery.
• Lead design reviews to assess quality, compliance, brand alignment, and operational functionality.
• Conduct detailed technical reviews covering FF&E, lighting, MEP coordination, and fire-life-safety requirements.
• Review interior design deliverables and prepare clear commentary for executive presentations.
• Develop presentations covering design concepts, material palettes, and key design recommendations.
• Resolve conflicting design feedback while protecting project and company requirements.
• Clearly communicate the rationale behind design decisions to relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinate with consultants to secure required statutory approvals.
• Support preparation of marketing and leasing collateral, including plans and presentation packages.

Research and Design Development

The Design Manager will research hospitality and retail interior trends with particular attention to guest experience, customer expectations, operational efficiency, and material innovation. Findings will be used to strengthen project design decisions and support the ongoing development of design management resources. The role will also develop and refine design guidelines, review processes, templates, and other project resources to improve consistency and effectiveness across interior design activities.

Business Strategy and Financial Management

• Support market research and development strategy activities.
• Advise stakeholders on design potential and appropriate brand positioning.
• Establish interior design briefs and associated budgets.
• Conduct cost analysis to support design and commercial decisions.
• Advise on procurement strategies for design services and FF&E packages.
• Prepare concise summaries of significant interior design decisions for executive review.
• Balance design objectives with project budgets, operational requirements, and commercial considerations.

Project and Consultant Management

• Establish interior design milestones and monitor project schedules.
• Prepare progress reporting for relevant design phases.
• Support contract and commercial management activities relating to design consultants.
• Define consultant requirements, scopes of services, and expected deliverables.
• Develop procurement strategies for FF&E packages and specialist design services.
• Prepare RFP documentation and participate in technical analysis of submissions.
• Coordinate consultants and stakeholders throughout the design process.

Required Skills

• Strong interior design management capability.
• Understanding of hospitality and retail design requirements.
• Knowledge of FF&E, lighting, MEP coordination, and fire-life-safety requirements.
• Ability to review complex design packages and identify technical or operational issues.
• Strong stakeholder and consultant management skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Ability to develop compelling presentations for executive management.
• Strong research capability covering design trends, materials, customer experience, and operational efficiency.
• Understanding of design budgets, procurement, and project scheduling.

What Qualifies You for the Role

• Master 's or bachelor 's degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or a related discipline.
• More than 10 years of experience in interior design and management roles.
• Hospitality and retail project experience is preferred.
• Strong understanding of MEP, fire-life-safety, and FF&E coordination requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Adobe Suite skills are considered an advantage.
• Experience with planning software such as Primavera is considered an advantage.

About Al-Futtaim Real Estate

Al-Futtaim Real Estate is part of Al-Futtaim and has more than six decades of experience in real estate development and asset management. Its diversified portfolio spans residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, healthcare, infrastructure, education, and other property sectors across the MENA region. The business plans, develops, and manages major destinations including Dubai Festival City and Cairo Festival City. It is also responsible for Al-Futtaim Contracting, which provides construction, engineering, technology, and facilities management solutions across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt.