Senior Associate - Architectural Design

Majid Al Futtaim; Dubai; On-site; AED 168,000 - 264,000; Full time

Job summary

Majid Al Futtaim is seeking a Senior Associate – Architectural Design in Dubai to lead concept development and master planning across retail, residential, hotels and mixed-use developments. The role blends architectural planning with visualization, feasibility analysis, design reviews and cross-disciplinary coordination to elevate customer journeys.

You will produce architectural plans, elevations and masterplans, create high-quality renderings, and coordinate with architects, engineers and

Qualifications

• Degree in Architecture or related discipline with 2–5 years’ experience in large-scale developments.
• Experience in retail, commercial, residential, hospitality, or mixed-use projects.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, BIM and visualization software required.

Responsibilities

• Develop conceptual layouts for retail, mall, residential, hospitality and mixed-use projects.
• Translate briefs into functional plans and customer-focused design concepts.
• Prepare preliminary layouts balancing commercial objectives with user experience.
• Support feasibility studies by reviewing site constraints and planning parameters.
• Produce drawings, diagrams, mood boards and presentation materials.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, planners and stakeholders.
• Create high-quality renderings and visualizations for reviews and approvals.
• Maintain alignment with Majid Al Futtaim brand standards and development principles.

Skills

Architectural design

Concept development

Retail architecture

Shopping mall design

Master planning

3D visualization

Design reviews

Brand standards

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

BIM

SketchUp

Lumion

3DS Max

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Senior Associate – Architectural Design

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Architecture and Planning

Function: Architect

Experience: 2-5 years

Job Type: Full-time

Job Details

Country: United Arab Emirates

City: Dubai

Industry: Architecture and Planning

Function: Architect

Salary: 14000-22000 (Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer.)

Gender: Any

Candidate Nationality: Emirati

Job Type: Full-time

Role Context

The Senior Associate will support the Architecture and Design team across shopping malls, residential communities, hotels, retail destinations, and mixed-use developments. The role combines architectural planning, creative concept development, feasibility analysis, visualization, design reviews, and coordination with multidisciplinary stakeholders. Strong design execution will help improve functionality, customer journeys, visual identity, and the long-term quality of Majid Al Futtaim developments.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop conceptual architectural layouts for retail, shopping mall, residential, hospitality, and mixed-use projects.
• Translate project briefs into functional spatial plans, circulation strategies, and customer-focused design concepts.
• Prepare preliminary layouts that balance commercial objectives, operational needs, user experience, and architectural quality.
• Support feasibility studies by reviewing site constraints, development requirements, planning parameters, and design opportunities.
• Produce functional drawings, concept sketches, diagrams, mood boards, and presentation materials.
• Contribute ideas during early design stages and help establish a clear architectural direction for each project.
• Support retail planning initiatives covering tenant zones, customer circulation, entrances, public spaces, and service areas.
• Assist with mixed-use planning involving retail, residential, hospitality, leisure, and community components.
• Contribute to residential master planning through layout studies, public realm coordination, and user-focused planning.
• Apply customer-centric design thinking to improve wayfinding, accessibility, comfort, convenience, and destination appeal.
• Study customer movement and identify design opportunities that create more intuitive and engaging experiences.
• Produce architectural plans, elevations, sections, masterplans, and design details using approved software.
• Develop accurate digital models using Revit, BIM, AutoCAD, and suitable 3D design tools.
• Create high-quality renderings and visualizations for internal reviews, executive presentations, approvals, and stakeholder communication.
• Use SketchUp, Lumion, 3DS Max, and AI-enabled design tools to explore and communicate design alternatives.
• Prepare presentation boards and visual narratives using Adobe Creative Suite applications.
• Support design reviews by presenting options, explaining design decisions, and responding to feedback.
• Review consultant submissions and provide clear comments that protect the approved design direction.
• Monitor design development to ensure concept intent remains visible through detailed design and delivery stages.
• Identify design inconsistencies, coordination issues, and functional concerns before they affect project quality.
• Maintain alignment with Majid Al Futtaim brand standards, design guidelines, and development principles.
• Check that design proposals reflect the intended identity, material language, quality level, and customer experience.
• Coordinate with architects, interior designers, engineers, planners, consultants, project managers, and development teams.
• Participate in multidisciplinary workshops and contribute practical recommendations during design coordination.
• Organize drawings, models, renderings, presentations, review comments, and design approvals systematically.
• Support preparation for internal governance reviews, leadership presentations, and stakeholder meetings.
• Research architectural trends, customer experience concepts, materials, visualization methods, and emerging design technologies.
• Explore innovative approaches while maintaining buildability, compliance, functionality, and commercial relevance.
• Support project teams with design clarifications during tendering, construction, and site implementation.
• Assist in reviewing site progress when required to confirm that architectural intent is being maintained.
• Manage multiple design assignments while meeting deadlines and maintaining accuracy.
• Promote collaborative working, constructive feedback, and continuous design improvement across the team.

Ideal Profile

The successful candidate will hold a bachelor 's degree in Architecture or a closely related discipline. Applicants should have 2-5 years of experience contributing to retail, commercial, residential, hospitality, mixed-use, or master-planning projects. Exposure to shopping mall architecture, destination development, or large-scale customer environments would be particularly valuable. Strong proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, BIM, and architectural visualization software is required. Candidates should be able to create professional 3D renderings using tools such as SketchUp, Lumion, 3DS Max, and relevant AI-supported design applications. Experience preparing architectural presentations, masterplans, concept packages, and design review materials is essential. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office applications is also required. The preferred candidate will combine creativity with sound functional planning, technical awareness, and attention to detail. Confidence, adaptability, collaboration, and the ability to communicate design ideas clearly will support success in this role.

Skills Set

• Architectural design
• Concept development
• Functional planning
• Retail architecture
• Shopping mall design
• Mixed-use development
• Residential master planning
• Hospitality design
• Feasibility studies
• Customer-centric design
• User journey planning
• Spatial planning
• Architectural layouts
• Masterplans
• Plans and elevations
• Design presentations
• Concept sketches
• 3D visualization
• Architectural rendering
• AutoCAD
• Revit
• Building Information Modelling
• SketchUp
• Lumion
• 3DS Max
• AI design tools
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• InDesign
• Microsoft Office
• Design review
• Consultant coordination
• Multidisciplinary coordination
• Brand standards
• Design guidelines
• Site design support
• Design documentation
• Creative problem-solving
• Presentation skills

Why Join Us

This opportunity gives Emirati architectural talent exposure to major retail, residential, hospitality, and mixed-use developments within one of the region 's established development businesses. The role offers a strong balance of creative design, technical coordination, visualization, customer experience, and large-scale project involvement. Demand for architects with BIM, visualization, retail planning, and customer-focused design capabilities continues to grow across Dubai 's development market. Strong performance can support progression into senior architectural design, master planning, retail design, development management, design coordination, or project leadership roles.

About the Company

Majid Al Futtaim is a regional business that develops and operates shopping malls, communities, hotels, retail businesses, leisure attractions, and mixed‑use destinations. Its Properties division delivers large‐scale developments shaped by customer experience, design quality, operational functionality, and long‑term value creation.