Senior Design Manager

Wasael Property Management

Abu Dhabi

On-site

AED 240,000 - 360,000

Full time

13 days ago

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Job summary

Wasael Property Management is seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to lead projects through the early RIBA Design Stages 0–4 and provide design support during construction (Stage 5). The role ensures delivery on time, within budget and to the client’s quality standards in the UAE.

Responsibilities include leading tender processes, coordinating across development, commercial and delivery teams, and ensuring regulatory compliance. UAE experience and Chartered membership are highly valued.

Qualifications

Must have strong design management and leadership capabilities across multiple projects.
Experience guiding projects through RIBA Design Stages 0–4 and post-contract stages.
Preferably UAE experience and knowledge of local regulations.

Responsibilities

Lead design management from inception to handover across RIBA Stages 0–4.
Provide design support to Project Delivery during construction (Stage 5).
Coordinate with Development, Commercial and Project Delivery teams on strategy, schedule and budgets.
Review deliverables for completeness, scope adherence and regulatory compliance.
Manage client and government authority communications and reports.

Skills

Design Management

Project Leadership

Tender Procurement

RIBA Plan of Work 2020

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture or Design Management

Chartered Professional Member (RIBA/RICS/ICE)

PMP Certification

Job description

Job Description:

Job Summary

The overall responsibility and duties under this role is to initiate, manage and lead projects through the RIBA Design Stages 0 - 4 (inception to final design), and provide design support to the Project Delivery team during construction (RIBA Stage 5). The role is ultimately responsible for ensuring projects are delivered to the Client's time, quality and budget objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-contract Stage (RIBA Stage 0 to 4)

Responsible for the entire design process from initiation to project handover to the Delivery Team for construction, including but not limited to:

Prepare budgets, project briefs (in written and graphic presentation form), scopes of services and programmes for consultant RFP tenders to be issued to the market to deliver a variety of project types and scales;

Guide and assist in the initiation, management and completion of the tender processes and selection of consultant teams (bidder recommendations, expressions of interest, pre-qualification, RFPs, post tender interviews, technical evaluation, award recommendation and contract execution and administration);

Provision of day-to-day management, guideance, instruction and leadship to awarded consultants, ensuring the project is delivered to the Client's time, quality and budget objectives;

Collaborate with the Development, Commercial and Project Delivery teams on design strategy, schedule, budgets, and execution strategy;

Review project deliverables, for completeness, coordination, adherance to the scope of work and compliance with authority requirements, providing comments, mark‑ups and feedback whenever required;

Ensure design/project approvals are received following all formal submissions to the Client and government authorities;

Manage the conditions and queries received from the Client and government authorities in relation to the relevant projects;

Preparation of presentations, reporting on design development and progress to senior management, Client representatives and key stakeholders;

Maintaining active and timely lines of communication with the Client (via the Project Owner), key government authorities, consultants and associated stakeholders and promoting effective relationships to benefit the projects;

Keep up to date on government regulations and statutory requirements and determine their impact on project delivery;

Schedule and attend all projects meetings. Ensure action items are documented by the relevant parties and distributed appropriately;

Support the Project Owner and the Commercial Department to manage the project financially and contractually, including administration of consultants contracted deliverables and invoicing procedures;

Administration of risk and change management procedures;

Administration of Value Engineering procedures;

Provide input into weekly/monthly/quarterly reporting;

Assist the Project Delivery team in the provision of design support and advice during the post-contract tender stage;

Provide assistance in the technical review of tender submissions and selection process of the contractor;

Administration of Pre-contract Stage close-out and handover procedures; and

Perform other duties as assigned to the Senior Design Manager.

Post-Contract Stage (RIBA Stages 5 and 6)

Act as design ambassador and guardian through the provision of design support and advice to the Project Manager, ensuring the approved designs and objectives are maintained throughout the execution and completion of the post-contract works; and

Where applicable, highlight any departures to the Project Manager for decision and appropriate action.

Qualifications

Education

Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture or Design Management

Preferably Chartered Professional member of recognized professional body (RIBA, RICS, ICE, etc.),

PMP is an added advantage

Experience

12 - 15 Years of experience in design management (minimum 5 years' experience in UAE) including considerable work experience with reputable companies;

Demonstrable experience of managing multiple projects simultaneously;

Previous Client-side experience (either direct appointment or under a secondment basis) is an added advantage

Knowledge & Skills

Demonstrated extensive knowledge of architectural design, drafting, building materials, building codes and construction techniques;

General knowledge of best practices in building design disciplines including architecture, structural, civil, mechanical, landscape and interior design;