Design Manager - Special Projects

Big Fish Consult; Abu Dhabi Emirate; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Big Fish Consult in the UAE is seeking an experienced Design Manager to oversee the end-to-end design management process for large-scale Public & Civic Development projects.

You will lead multidisciplinary design teams, review development briefs, and ensure alignment with objectives, budget, schedule and regulatory requirements, with a strong emphasis on design excellence.

Qualifications

• 10–12 years of experience in design management within real estate development.
• Strong UAE/GCC experience is essential.
• Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design, Urban Planning or related discipline.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit/SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full design management lifecycle from concept through execution and delivery.
• Manage multidisciplinary design teams, consultants, engineers and project stakeholders.
• Oversee design development for large-scale Public & Civic Development projects.
• Review consultant designs for compliance with approved briefs, regulations, codes and best practices.
• Coordinate design changes, stage-gate submissions and construction documentation.
• Conduct site inspections and ensure design intent is maintained through implementation.
• Present design strategies, project updates and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Drive innovative, functional and commercially effective design solutions.

Skills

Design management

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Education

Architecture/Engineering/Interior Design/Urban Planning degree

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

SketchUp

Adobe Creative Suite

MS Office

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Design Manager to join a leading real estate development organisation in the UAE, with a strong focus on Special projects (Public & Civic Developments).

The role will oversee the end-to-end design management process, from concept and ideation through design development and delivery, ensuring projects meet the highest standards of design quality, functionality, programme, cost and delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the full design management lifecycle from concept through execution and delivery.
• Manage multidisciplinary design teams, consultants, engineers and project stakeholders.
• Oversee design development for large-scale Public & Civic Development projects (i.e, Government buildings, Cultural, Parks & public realm, Sports & recreation facilities, Educational developments and Healthcare & wellness facilities), ensuring alignment with project objectives and design intent.
• Review consultant designs for compliance with approved briefs, regulations, codes and best practices.
• Manage design quality, programme, cost, risk and project deliverables.
• Coordinate design changes, technical issues, stage-gate submissions and construction documentation.
• Conduct site inspections and ensure design intent is maintained through implementation.
• Present design strategies, project updates and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Support consultant procurement, design briefs, scopes of work and delivery strategies.
• Drive innovative, functional and commercially effective design solutions.

Qualifications:

• 10–12 years’ experience in design management within real estate development.
• Strong UAE/GCC experience is essential.
• Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design, Urban Planning or related discipline.
• Strong multidisciplinary design and consultant-management experience.
• Excellent stakeholder management and senior-level presentation skills.
• Strong understanding of design development, construction documentation and project delivery.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit/SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite and MS Office.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to balance design excellence, cost and programme.