Lead - Design Studio

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA); Dubai; On-site; AED 357,000 - 725,000; Full time

Job summary

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) seeks a senior Design Studio Portfolio Manager to lead the development and governance of a structured project management framework. You will prioritise initiatives, ensure cohesive delivery, and optimise resource allocation across strategic projects.

You will oversee vendor relationships, track industry practices, and drive adoption of design standards to deliver value. Collaboration across departments and budgets is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Human Resources, or Arts.
• 8–12 years of relevant experience in learning & development with instructional design & innovation.
• Project management experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and governance of a structured project management framework to standardise processes, ensure consistency, and optimise project execution.
• Lead cross-functional project scoping and integration to ensure coherent, prioritised initiative design aligned to organisational skills needs.
• Oversee and ensure successful execution and delivery of strategic projects at EGA, including planning, resource allocation, and completion.
• Ensure a high-performing vendor network by evaluating capability, fit, and assigning partners to projects.
• Track emerging practices in learning design and workforce development to inform project design and inspire innovation.
• Communicate project milestones and progress to ensure on-schedule delivery and accurate updates.
• Drive adoption of project design and delivery standards and promote full-solution thinking across Design Studio projects.
• Foster a collaborative environment, align stakeholders, and ensure budgetary compliance and operational excellence.

Skills

Human-Centered Design

Problem Solving

Insight Translation Capability

Initiative Prioritisation & Value Fram

Systems Thinking & Interdependency Aw

Vision Articulation & Ideation Lead

Critical Thinking Advanced

Stakeholder Engagement

Continual Improvement & Quality Focus

Advanced Project Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education, Human Resources, or Arts

Job description

Job Description

JOB PURPOSE

Manages the Design Studio’s project portfolio, ensuring high-quality, timely, and strategically aligned delivery. This role filters and prioritises initiatives for maximum system-wide value, eliminates misaligned or duplicative work, and drives timely, cohesive delivery of new or optimised capability development solutions. It ensures projects meet design standards, matches the right vendors to each project, and drives continuous improvement through innovation and emerging best practices.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Lead the development, implementation, and governance of a structured project management framework to standardise processes, ensure consistency, and optimise project execution. This includes defining methodologies, setting project standards, and ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.

Lead cross-functional project scoping and integration efforts to ensure initiative design is coherent, prioritised, and aligned to organisational skills needs. Eliminate redundant projects and structure work for impact and sustainability.

Oversee and ensure the successful execution and delivery of strategic projects at EGA. This involves managing all aspects of project delivery, from planning and resource allocation to execution and completion, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and objectives.

Ensure a high-performing, strategically aligned vendor network by evaluating capability, reviewing fit for purpose, and assigning partners to the right projects. Support high-quality delivery and value from external partnerships.

Track emerging practices in learning design and workforce development to inform project design and inspire creative approaches. Bring new thinking into the Academy environment and enable experimentation and impact.

This role involves tracking and communicating project milestones and progress to ensure projects remain on schedule and stakeholders are consistently informed. It ensures that all project updates are accurate and timely, contributing to the overall success of project management efforts.

Drive consistent adoption of project design and delivery standards. Promote full-solution delivery thinking and improve ways of working through documentation, governance tools, and lessons learned across Design Studio projects.

Fosters a collaborative team environment where diverse skills and expertise are leveraged to achieve organisational goals. Encourages open communication and teamwork across departments to enhance efficiency, innovation, and project success. Ensures that collective interests are prioritised over individual objectives, driving operational excellence and strategic alignment.

Track and manage departmental spending to ensure it stays within the allocated budget. This role requires maintaining precise financial records, regularly reviewing expenditures, and providing accurate updates on financial status to ensure budgetary compliance and support the organisation's financial health.

Stay updated on technological advancements and recommend updates to ensure the organisation leverages the latest innovations. This role focuses on continuously monitoring emerging technologies and evaluating their potential impact on business operations and efficiency.

AUTHORITY/ DECISION MAKING

Thinking within clearly defined procedures, precedents and objectives, under general direction. Subject to general direction and defined functional policy objectives. Actions which will impact other functional or operating areas usually require approval before they may be implemented.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Human Resources, or Arts.

Minimum Experience

A minimum of 8–12 years of relevant experience in a learning & development function in instructional design & innovation. Project Management experience is required.

Skills

• Human-Centered Design
• Problem Solving
• Insight Translation Capability
• Initiative Prioritisation & Value Framing
• Systems Thinking & Interdependency Awareness
• Vision Articulation & Ideation Leadership
• Critical Thinking Advanced
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Continual Improvement & Quality Focus
• Advanced Project Management