Design Manager - Real Estate Projects

AlFuttaim; Dubai; On-site; AED 334,800 - 502,200; Full time

Job summary

AlFuttaim is seeking a Design Manager for Real Estate Projects in Dubai, requiring 15-20 years of experience. The position entails leading design coordination, managing approvals, and ensuring compliance with project standards.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in design and construction management, with proficiency in BIM and design risk management.

This role offers exposure to major real estate developments, contributing to significant projects in a thriving urban environment.

Qualifications

• 15 to 20 years of construction industry experience, preferably with Tier 1 main contractors in the GCC or UAE.
• Strong background in design management for real estate projects.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects independently.

Responsibilities

• Oversee full design coordination cycle for real estate construction projects.
• Coordinate design information between different teams and stakeholders.
• Manage shop drawings, material approval requests, and technical submissions.

Skills

Design management

Construction design coordination

BIM coordination

Technical submissions

Project handover documentation

Education

Bachelor degree or diploma in Architecture, Engineering, or related discipline

Job description

Job Snapshot

Design Manager - Real Estate Projects

Role: Design Manager - Real Estate Projects

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Real Estate

Function: Design

Experience: 15 to 20 years

Job Type: Full-time

Overview

Design Manager - Real Estate Projects in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a senior real estate opportunity for an experienced construction and design management professional with strong expertise in multidisciplinary coordination, BIM-based design control, consultant approvals, value engineering, and delivery support for major development projects. This role is ideal for a design leader who can manage technical information, reduce project risk, support construction readiness, and maintain high standards across complex real estate and mixed‑use developments.

Job Details

Country: United Arab Emirates

City: Dubai

Industry: Real Estate

Function: Design

Salary: 30,000–45,000 (estimated, confirming with employer)

Gender: Any

Candidate Nationality: Any

Job Type: Full-time

Role Context

The Design Manager will oversee the full design coordination cycle for real estate construction projects, ensuring that drawings, submissions, approvals, BIM models, technical decisions, and design changes are properly controlled from planning through handover. The position supports project delivery by aligning design output with programme requirements, procurement needs, commercial controls, HSE expectations, and client or consultant approvals.

Strong coordination in this role helps prevent delays, reduce rework, protect contractual interests and improve buildability across high‑value developments in Dubai.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement the Design Management Plan and manage the release, tracking, review, and approval of design deliverables in line with the project programme.
• Coordinate design information between operations, procurement, planning, commercial, subcontractors, consultants, client teams, and project management representatives.
• Ensure all design submissions comply with contract drawings, specifications, employer requirements, statutory standards, and project quality expectations.
• Lead design progress meetings with subcontractors and sub‑consultants to secure fully coordinated technical information before construction activities proceed.
• Manage shop drawings, material approval requests, sample boards, mock‑up units, technical submissions, and design‑related documents.
• Review missing contract information, technical conflicts, change events, and delayed approvals that may affect construction progress or commercial position.
• Work with commercial and planning teams to support variation records, delay notices, claims preparation, and Extension of Time requests where design issues affect the programme.
• Coordinate design information through BIM models to support updated project models, interface reviews, clash awareness, and accurate construction information.
• Lead the design team by providing technical direction, programme control, and practical support across architecture, civil, structural, and MEP interfaces.
• Engage with clients, project management consultants, architects, engineers, and authority stakeholders to resolve design issues and maintain approval momentum.
• Maintain accurate design documentation records in line with company Integrated Management System requirements and third‑party audit standards.
• Prepare and manage instruction trackers to record design changes, technical clarifications, delayed decisions, and approval‑related events.
• Provide technical assistance to bid, procurement, commercial, planning, construction, and handover teams when design input is required.
• Ensure current approved design information is available to project delivery staff, subcontractors, and site teams at the right stage of execution.
• Identify construction and legacy HSE design risks and support practical mitigation measures linked to buildability, access, sequencing, and future asset operation.
• Mentor junior team members and support stronger design coordination discipline across the project team.
• Prepare final design handover documentation according to project requirements and client expectations.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor degree or diploma in Architecture, Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, MEP Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Architecture background is preferred for this Design Manager role.
• 15 to 20 years of construction industry experience, preferably with Tier 1 main contractors in the GCC or UAE.
• Strong background in design management for real estate, mixed‑use, residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, or large‑scale development projects.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant design management experience, or at least 5 years post‑qualification experience with suitable professional or intermediate qualifications.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects independently while supporting wider business, operational, and departmental goals.
• Strong understanding of design coordination, consultant approvals, contract compliance, buildability reviews, and technical risk management.
• Practical experience with BIM coordination, shop drawing workflows, material approvals, document control, and project handover requirements.
• Ability to identify design‑related variations, programme delays, commercial risks, and value engineering opportunities.
• Strong leadership capability with the confidence to guide multidisciplinary teams and influence consultants, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical correspondence with clients and subcontractors.
• Good knowledge of international standards, UAE statutory authority requirements, safety procedures, quality systems, and environmental expectations.

Skills Set

• Design management
• Real estate development projects
• Construction design coordination
• BIM coordination
• Shop drawing management
• Material approval requests
• Technical submissions
• Value engineering
• Design risk management
• HSE design risk mitigation
• Contract compliance
• Employer requirements review
• Consultant coordination
• Subcontractor coordination
• Client communication
• Project programme alignment
• Baseline programme coordination
• Design document control
• Instruction tracking
• Change management
• Extension of Time support
• Claims coordination
• Sample board review
• Mock‑up review
• Architecture coordination
• Civil and structural interface review
• MEP coordination
• Project handover documentation
• GCC construction experience
• UAE real estate projects

Why Join Us

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to major real estate projects in Dubai with a well‑established regional group known for large‑scale developments, master planning, mixed‑use destinations, and long‑term asset value creation. It is a strong opportunity for a senior Design Manager who wants to work on complex construction programmes, lead technical coordination, influence project quality, and support the successful delivery of high‑profile real estate developments in the UAE.

About the Company

Al‑Futtaim Group is a diversified regional business headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with operations across automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and healthcare. Its real estate division manages and develops major residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, education, and healthcare assets across the region, including large mixed‑use destinations such as Dubai Festival City and Cairo Festival City. The group continues to support urban development through strong project delivery, customer‑focused communities, and long‑term investment in high‑quality places to live, work and connect.