Director - Interior Design

AlFuttaim; Dubai; On-site; AED 502,000 - 670,000; Full time

Job summary

Al-Futtaim Group is hiring a Director - Interior Design in Dubai, United Arab Emirates to lead creative and technical delivery across its Real Estate portfolio. The role oversees retail, residential, commercial and hospitality developments from concept through construction and final execution.

The Director will establish design processes, guide internal teams and external consultants, ensuring brand, quality and functional standards while emphasizing sustainability and user experience throughout

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design or a related discipline; 20+ years of interior design experience.
• Strong Middle East portfolio covering hospitality, residential and retail developments.
• Experience in a client-side leadership role or with a leading interior design consultancy.

Responsibilities

• Lead interior design projects from concept development through completion.
• Establish structured processes for managing concurrent design programmes.
• Develop interior design brand standards aligned with the Real Estate vision.
• Create technical guidelines covering layouts, materials, finishes and specifications.
• Define FF&E and OS&E standards for different property types.
• Review space plans, detailed drawings and coordinated design packages.
• Verify design documentation at each project stage and during site observations.
• Monitor consultants, procurement, and construction delivery for quality and adherence to budget.

Skills

Interior design leadership

Concept & detailed design

Space planning

FF&E & OS&E specs

Materials & finishes

Design standards & guidelines

Consultant assessment

Design scope & contracts

Cost control

Drawing & submittals

Mock-ups & samples

Construction site observation

KPI monitoring

Multidisciplinary leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Interior Design

Job description

Director - Interior Design Job Snapshot

Role: Director - Interior Design
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Real Estate
Function: Architecture-Interior Design
Experience: Minimum 20 years in interior design
Job Type: Full-time

Position Overview

Al-Futtaim Group is hiring a Director - Interior Design in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to lead creative and technical delivery across its Real Estate portfolio. The position covers retail, residential, commercial and hospitality developments from initial concept through construction and final execution. The Director will establish a coherent design process, guide internal teams and external consultants and ensure every project reflects the required brand, quality and functional standards. Design innovation, cost control, sustainability and user experience will remain central throughout the development lifecycle.

Job Details

Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Dubai
Industry: Real Estate
Function: Architecture-Interior Design
Salary: AED 45000-60000 per month Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in Dubai; please confirm the final offer with the employer.
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Job Requisition ID: 173217

Role Context

Al-Futtaim Real Estate manages a varied portfolio requiring consistent interior design standards across different asset types and customer environments. The Director will provide senior creative leadership while ensuring that design intent remains technically achievable and commercially responsible. By aligning consultants, project teams, procurement requirements and construction delivery, the role will protect aesthetic quality and help completed spaces meet operational, financial and sustainability objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead interior design projects from concept development through completion.
• Establish structured processes for managing concurrent design programmes.
• Develop interior design brand standards aligned with the Real Estate vision.
• Create technical guidelines covering layouts, materials, finishes and specifications.
• Define FF and E and OS and E standards for different property types.
• Review space plans, detailed drawings and coordinated design packages.
• Confirm that programme requirements are integrated into unified design schemes.
• Track emerging materials, techniques and market trends.
• Develop consultant qualification and evaluation criteria.
• Lead consultant interviews, assess proposals and recommend appointments.
• Define scopes of work and contribute to design agreements and contracts.
• Control design costs while maintaining functional and aesthetic standards.
• Verify design documentation submitted at each project stage.
• Conduct periodic site observations during construction.
• Review drawings, material samples and mock-ups for compliance.
• Represent Al-Futtaim Real Estate in design and contract review meetings.
• Monitor departmental KPIs and address delivery concerns.
• Direct and motivate interior designers, draftspersons and supporting teams.

Ideal Profile

Candidates must hold a bachelor 's degree in Interior Design or a relevant discipline and possess more than 20 years of interior design experience. A strong Middle East portfolio covering hospitality, residential and retail developments is essential. Applicants should demonstrate advanced knowledge of FF and E, materials, finishes and space planning. Experience in a client-side leadership position or with a leading interior design consultancy is required, along with responsibility for the full design lifecycle. The role demands confident stakeholder management, strong commercial judgement and comprehensive knowledge of applicable design standards, regulations and procedures.

Skills Set

• Interior design leadership
• Concept and detailed design management
• Space planning
• FF and E and OS and E specifications
• Materials and finishes selection
• Design standards and technical guidelines
• Consultant assessment and appointment
• Design scope and contract development
• Design cost control
• Drawing and submittal review
• Mock-up and sample evaluation
• Construction-stage site observation
• KPI monitoring
• Multidisciplinary team leadership

Why Join Us

This appointment offers the opportunity to shape interior environments across a major MENA real estate portfolio containing residential, commercial, retail and hospitality assets. The Director will influence design strategy while working on complex developments from early planning through final delivery. The scale and variety of Al-Futtaim 's projects provide long-term professional stability and continued exposure to high-value design challenges. Leading internal talent and prominent external consultancies also creates scope to establish standards that influence future developments across the portfolio.

About the Company

Al-Futtaim Group is a diversified, privately held regional business operating across automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare. The Group employs more than 35,000 people in over 20 countries and partners with more than 200 international brands.