Executive Director, Design Management & Strategy

Aldar Properties PJSC; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Aldar Properties PJSC in Abu Dhabi seeks an Executive Director - Design Management to lead and govern the Design Management function across three product verticals: Upper & Luxury Residential; Commercial, Retail & Hospitality; and National Housing, Education & Civic. You will translate briefs into high‑quality, market-differentiated design outcomes while balancing ambition with programme constraints.

You will build a world-class in‑house design management capability for D-Sell, D-Hold and

Qualifications

• Minimum 16 years of experience in architectural design management or urban development.
• At least 6 years in senior executive leadership.
• Experience leading design across residential, commercial, hospitality and civic in GCC or comparable markets.
• Master's degree in architecture, urban design or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead design leadership, strategy and governance across three verticals.
• Engage with clients and stakeholders at executive levels, presenting recommendations and outcomes.
• Drive design consistency and innovation, establish knowledge sharing, and oversee cross-vertical collaboration.
• Develop and retain a high-performing multi-disciplinary design management team across all verticals.

Skills

Design management across three product

Executive communication & board-level

Stakeholder management & conflict

Commercial brief interpretation

Education

Master's degree in architecture, Urban Design or related discipline

Tools

BIM

AI-assisted design tools

Design management platforms

Job description

Aldar Properties PJSC in Abu Dhabi seeks an Executive Director - Design Management to lead and govern the Design Management function across three product verticals: Upper & Luxury Residential; Commercial, Retail & Hospitality; and National Housing, Education & Civic. You will translate briefs into high‑quality, market-differentiated design outcomes while balancing ambition with programme constraints.

You will build a world-class in‑house design management capability for D-Sell, D-Hold and