Specifications Manager – Architectural & Building Specifications

Arada; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Arada is seeking a Specifications Manager to lead the preparation, development, and governance of formal architectural and building specifications across its diverse developments. You will author and edit specifications to CSI MasterFormat or NBS with Uniclass, ensuring materials, finishes, and systems meet quality, sustainability, and commercial objectives while preserving design intent.

You will collaborate with Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape, Development, Projects, Procurement, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in architecture, architectural engineering, interior design, construction management, or related field.
• Professional specification-writing certification (CSI CDT/CCS or NBS) preferred.
• 10–15 years of experience in architecture and formal specification writing for developers/consultants/contractors.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and coordinate architectural and building specifications to a recognized structure (CSI MasterFormat or NBS).
• Develop and maintain master specification library and revision control.
• Review consultant specs for compliance with standards and performance requirements.
• Coordinate with design teams and procurement on materials, finishes, and systems.
• Support cost-efficiency, sustainability, and constructability through technical recommendations.

Skills

Specification writing

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture or related

CSI CDT / CCS or NBS accreditation

Tools

CSI MasterFormat

NBS Uniclass 2015

Job description

Specifications Manager – Architectural & Building Specifications

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Specifications Manager is responsible for leading the preparation, development, coordination, review, and governance of formal architectural and building specifications across Arada’s residential, hospitality, commercial, retail, and mixed-use developments. The role personally authors and edits project specifications to a recognised structured specification system (CSI MasterFormat / SectionFormat or NBS with Uniclass), and ensures that all materials, finishes, and systems meet the company’s quality, sustainability, operational, and commercial objectives while maintaining design integrity.

Working closely with Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape, Development, Projects, Procurement, and external consultants, the Specification Manager will establish approved material standards, lead value engineering initiatives, evaluate new products and technologies, and provide technical expertise throughout the project lifecycle.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Specification Management

• Prepare, author, and coordinate formal architectural and building specifications to a recognised structured system (CSI MasterFormat with SectionFormat/PageFormat, or NBS with Uniclass 2015), using the 3-part section structure (Part 1 – General, Part 2 – Products, Part 3 – Execution).
• Produce and coordinate descriptive, performance, and proprietary / reference-standard specifications across design development, tender, and IFC stages, ensuring they are coordinated with the drawings and BOQ and free of conflict, gaps, and duplication.
• Establish, own, and maintain Arada’s master specification library, including project-specific editing, revision control, and issue management.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project specifications for architectural finishes, interior finishes, landscape materials, façade systems, and building products.
• Establish and manage Arada's material and product specification standards across all developments.
• Review consultant specifications to ensure compliance with company standards, design intent, performance requirements, and regulatory requirements.
• Standardize materials across projects where appropriate to improve efficiency, quality, and lifecycle performance.
• Research, evaluate, and approve construction materials, finishes, fixtures, and innovative building products.
• Assess product performance, durability, sustainability, lifecycle costs, maintenance requirements, and warranty provisions.
• Conduct technical comparisons and recommend suitable alternatives where required.
• Keep abreast of emerging material technologies, sustainability trends, and international best practices.
• Identify opportunities to optimize specifications without compromising quality, functionality, aesthetics, or customer experience.
• Provide technical recommendations to improve project cost efficiency and constructability.
• Support commercial teams during tender evaluations from a technical specification perspective.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with manufacturers, suppliers, and industry partners.
• Evaluate suppliers based on technical capability, product quality, certifications, sustainability credentials, and delivery performance.
• Organize product presentations, mock-ups, factory visits, and material demonstrations for internal stakeholders.
• Maintain an approved supplier and manufacturer database.

Design & Project Coordination

• Work closely with Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape, Procurement, Development, and Project Management teams throughout project delivery.
• Review technical submittals, material samples, mock-ups, and shop drawings for compliance with project specifications.
• Support design teams in selecting appropriate materials that align with design intent and project budgets.
• Participate in design reviews and site inspections to ensure specified materials are implemented correctly.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure all specified materials comply with UAE building regulations, fire and life safety requirements, sustainability standards, and relevant international codes.
• Support QA/QC teams during inspections and material approvals.
• Resolve technical material issues arising during construction.
• Maintain specification documentation and revision control.
• Drive the adoption of sustainable, innovative, and high-performance materials.
• Support ESG and sustainability initiatives through responsible material selection.
• Evaluate low-carbon, recycled, and environmentally responsible products for future developments.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Interior Design, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Professional certification in specification writing is strongly preferred – e.g. CSI CDT or CCS (Certified Construction Specifier), or NBS accreditation.

EXPERIENCE

10–15 years of experience in architecture and formal specification writing within leading developers, consultants, or contractors, with specification authoring as a primary function of the role (not limited to material selection or FF&E).

Mandatory: proven, demonstrable experience preparing and managing formal architectural/building specifications using a recognised structured specification system such as CSI MasterFormat, NBS, or equivalent. Loose finishes schedules or FF&E specification alone do not satisfy this requirement.

Candidates will be required to submit a redacted specification sample they personally authored and may complete a short specification-editing exercise at interview.

• Strong understanding of architectural finishes, interior materials, façade systems, and construction methodologies.
• UAE/GCC project experience is essential.
• Developer-side experience is preferred.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Performance, Prescriptive & Reference-Standard Specifications
• Master Specification Library & Revision Control
• Specification Coordination with Drawings & BOQ (keynoting, cross-referencing)