Director - Interior Design | Real Estate | Asset Development

Al-Futtaim; Dubai; On-site; AED 350,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate seeks a Director of Interior Design to lead the interior design function from concept through construction documentation. You will oversee consultants, maintain design standards, and ensure projects meet program requirements with on-site observations.

The role provides creative and technical leadership to uphold Al-Futtaim's standards across high-end residential and hospitality developments. Strong leadership and collaboration with stakeholders are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design or related field.
• 10+ years in high-end residential/hospitality projects.
• 5+ years in a leadership role managing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead interior design from concept to completion across multiple projects.
• Develop brand standards and design guidelines aligned with vision.
• Define FF&E and OS&E specifications for the family.
• Oversee design documentation and on-site construction observations.
• Review proposals, contracts, and mock-ups with stakeholders.

Skills

Concept design

Team leadership

Stakeholder comms

Cost/time/quality mgmt

Education

Bachelor's degree in Interior Design

Tools

MS Office

MS Project

Job description

Job Requisition ID: 173217

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organization to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day

Overview Of The Role

The Director - Interior Design is responsible for developing and implementing overall interior design concepts, managing design processes and consultants, and ensuring the success of Al-Futtaim Real Estate projects from the pre-concept design stage through to construction documentation. The role provides creative and technical leadership to maintain and improve the organization's standards for interior design in new and existing properties.

What You Will Do

General

• Lead the interior design function and projects from concept development to completion, handling different design phases and managing multiple projects with a clear and coherent design process.
• Develop the Interior Design brand standards and guidelines in line with Al-Futtaim Private Properties vision and standards.
• Create guidelines, design and technical standards, and specifications of FF&E and OS&E for the family.
• Lead interior design projects, ensuring layouts, detailed drawings, and FF&E specifications meet unified schemes according to the program.
• Maintain current knowledge of trends in materials, techniques, and other developments in interior design.
• Assess the market, define specific requirements, set qualification criteria, and recommend selection of designers.
• Define design scope and contribute to creating and managing design agreements and contracts, controlling design costs.
• Verify and procure acceptable design documentation for each design stage.
• Lead periodic on-site observations during construction to monitor compliance with plans and ensure the final product meets initial requests.
• Represent Al-Futtaim Real Estate in meetings reviewing interior design proposals, contracts, and mock-ups.
• Monitor the implementation of departmental KPIs and motivate teams of interior designers to use their talents effectively.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills To Be Successful

• Concept design and mood boards creation.
• Team management and leadership skills.
• Coordination and communication with designers and stakeholders.
• Identification and management of cost, time, and quality implications in design changes.

What Qualifies You For The Role

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design or a relevant subject.
• 10+ years of experience in high-end or large-scale residential and hospitality projects, with at least 5 years in a leadership position.
• Strong knowledge of applicable standards, regulations, and procedures.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word/Excel) and MS Project.

About Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate

The real estate development and operations arm of Al-Futtaim, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate is responsible for a multi-billion-dollar portfolio across MENA. With high-quality residential, business, retail, tourism, educational and healthcare developments, the master developer caters to the diverse needs of cities and communities in the region. From origination, conception, development, sales, procurement and construction of mega-projects and the leasing, operation and management of these projects after completion, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE) has been developing and managing owned landbanks, unlocking the economic potential of the region and contributing to future development for more than 40 years.

Our focus is to enable and invest in meaningful relationships to make our properties the best places to live and work, build additional products and services and enable partnerships to create true value to our customers throughout their entire experience with us.

AFGRE is responsible for master planning of all projects in its portfolio, including two large scale mixed use destinations: Dubai Festival City and Cairo Festival City.