Director of Design Development

Client of ArchiBat HR; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Client of ArchiBat HR seeks a Design Leadership leader to guide a multidisciplinary team across luxury hospitality and branded residences. You will safeguard design intent, oversee BIM coordination, and drive design delivery from concept through construction.

The role requires extensive leadership, strong client liaison, and deep knowledge of AutoCAD, Revit/BIM, and value engineering within high-end projects. You will mentor an in-house team in a fast-paced, multicultural setting.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in design development for luxury hospitality and high-end residential projects.
• At least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Experience with branded residences and international hotel operators.
• Strong knowledge of construction methodologies and BIM (AutoCAD, Revit).
• Ability to manage diverse, multicultural teams and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Design Leadership: lead multidisciplinary consultant team and safeguard design intent.
• Coordination & Delivery: manage master design programme, BIM coordination, RFIs, from concept to construction docs.
• Commercial & Quality Control: work with cost consultants on budgets and value engineering, manage changes.
• FF&E & Residences: oversee specification and procurement of FF&E, OS&E, artwork; define residence specs and lead mock-up room approvals.
• Stakeholder Management: act as design liaison between developer, hotel operators, brand representatives, contractors, and authorities.
• Team Leadership: build and mentor an in-house design and technical team.

Skills

Design Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Team Leadership

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's / Master’s in Architecture or Interior Design

RIBA/AIA registration advantage

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit/BIM

Clash Detection

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Design Leadership Lead the multidisciplinary consultant team architecture interiors MEP landscape marine etc and safeguard the design intent in line with brand standards
• Coordination amp Delivery Manage the master design programme BIM coordination clash detection and design-stage RFIs Oversee all stages from concept to construction documentation
• Commercial amp Quality Control Work with cost consultants to manage budgets and value engineering without compromising luxury standards Implement change management processes
• FF amp E and Residences Oversee the specification and procurement of FF amp E OS amp E and artwork Define residence specifications and lead mock-up room approvals
• Stakeholder Management Act as the primary design liaison between the developer hotel operators brand representatives contractors and Maldivian authorities

Team Leadership

• Build and mentor an in-house design and technical team

Key Requirements

• Experience: 10+ years in design development for luxury hospitality and high-end residential projects, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Sector Expertise: Proven track record with branded residences, international hotel operators, and remote/island resort developments.
• Technical Skills: Strong understanding of construction methodologies, AutoCAD, Revit/BIM, and clash detection. Sound knowledge of consultant appointments and value engineering.
• Leadership: Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and presentation skills. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
• Education: Bachelor s or Master s degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or a related field. RIBA/AIA registration is an advantage.