Design Team Lead

SharpMinds Consulting Engineers; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 240,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

SharpMinds Consulting Engineers is seeking an experienced Design Team Lead to guide the design team across architectural and engineering projects. You will report to the Design and Projects Director and oversee day-to-day design operations, ensuring quality, workflow efficiency, and timely project delivery.

The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, excellent communication, and a solid background in design coordination, BIM and multidisciplinary coordination, with fluency in English (Arabic a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or related field.
• 15+ years of relevant experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Strong portfolio of successfully delivered projects across various sectors.
• Proficient in design and visualization tools (Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and support the design team to ensure alignment with project objectives, timelines, and quality standards.
• Oversee the development of architectural and engineering designs from concept through detailed design stages.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external consultants for cohesive design solutions.
• Design, plan, review and approve design outputs to ensure quality and compliance.
• Manage team schedules, resource allocation, and task assignments.
• Participate in design review meetings, client presentations, and workshops.

Skills

Leadership

Design coordination

Communication

Project management

Multidisciplinary coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture

Master’s degree (plus)

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

SketchUp

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Job Description:

Job Summary

The Design Team Lead will play a vital role in guiding and managing the design team across various architectural and engineering projects. Reporting to the Design and Projects Director, this role is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the design team, ensuring design quality, workflow efficiency, and successful project delivery. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator, creative problem solver, and experienced leader with a solid background in design and project coordination.

Key Responsibilities

Job responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the below:

• Hands-on experience in planning, design, and multidisciplinary coordination
• Lead, mentor, and support the design team to ensure alignment with project objectives, timelines, and quality standards
• Oversee the development of architectural and engineering designs from concept through to detailed design stages.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders (engineering, BIM, business development) and external consultants to ensure cohesive and integrated design solutions.
• Design, plan, review and approve design outputs to ensure quality, consistency, and compliance with client requirements and relevant standards.
• Manage team schedules, resource allocation, and task assignments to maintain high productivity and morale.
• Support the Design Director in implementing design strategies, innovation, and design excellence initiatives.
• Participate in design review meetings, client presentations, and workshops as needed.
• Promote continuous development and knowledge sharing within the design team.
• Identify process improvements and implement best practices in design management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or related field (Master’s degree is a plus).
• At least 15 years of relevant experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Strong portfolio of successfully delivered projects across various sectors.
• Proficient in design and visualization tools (Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.).
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong knowledge of international building codes, local regulations, and sustainable design practices.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and teams simultaneously.
• Strong communication and presentation skills in English (Arabic is a plus).
• Experience in leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Background in both conceptual design and technical detailing.
• Knowledge of BIM coordination is an advantage.