Vice President - Design

Aldar Properties PJSC; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 400,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading real estate company seeks a Senior Design Manager responsible for overseeing vertical design activities across projects. The role involves managing design direction, ensuring compliance with standards, and fostering team collaboration while working on high-value developments. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in architecture or engineering, with proven leadership in the construction sector.

Qualifications

• Min of 10+ years of experience in the design process for developments with CAPEX 4+ billion AED.
• Min of 2+ years in a managerial position.
• Experience in real estate sector and construction.

Responsibilities

• Manage design activities across all projects ensuring adherence to standards and cost effectiveness.
• Oversee and approve tender evaluations for technical submissions.
• Ensure compliance with Estidama standards and get the necessary government permits.

Skills

Design & master-planning capabilities

Conflict resolution/management skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Team player

Education

Bachelor’s degree in architecture or engineering

Job description

JOB PURPOSE

•Manage the vertical and mixed-use design activities across all projects under construction to ensure adherence to standards and cost effectiveness

•Lead the development of master plans that conform to Business Plans (BP) from Development Management

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

PRE-DESIGN

•Provide overall design direction on feasibility / test fits

•Provide input and innovative ideas to development management

•Manage the creation of client design briefs

•Participate in prequalification process and assist and oversee assessments of consultant

•Assist and oversee the Brief and the Scope sections of the RFP

•Oversee and approve tender evaluations for technical stage submissions

•Establish and manage the Aldar Design Guidelines with input from DM and PDT

•Oversee, review and approve the Project Implementation Plan for each project

•Oversee and approve the Bidders Recommendation Report

DESIGN

•Participate in all Architectural and vertical design presentations and review all design related submittals from concept to final delivery

•Manage consultant contract in relation to contract implementation, measuring completed work for payments, variation orders etc.

•Manage and approve all proposed value engineering options

•Oversee the management design progress against the programme

•Review design documentation for the purpose of validating brief / code compliance

•Responsible for obtaining design NOCs in conjunction with government relations.

•Manage obtaining Utility/DOT/ADM/ etc NOC’sin order to obtain a Building Permit through the consultants

•Review and approve all proposed materials, their substitutes and colours

•Ensure adherence to Estidama standards

•Liaise with consultants and ensure that all drawing submittals are in line with Aldar specifications

•Review consultants work submittals against project brief and recommend changes in case of deviation

•Ensure that adequate level of support is provided to project teams during execution and commissioning through design reviews for constructability issues

•Ensure possible value engineering ideas are identified to cut costs/time and provide recommendations to project teams

•Ensure that all vertical design changes are clearly communicated to DM & related functions to be reflected in the forecasts

•Work closely with Master Planning and Infrastructure teams to ensure design fit with overall plan

•Ensure the issuance of all required government permits and construction licenses

•Carry out weekly and monthly reporting of progress and issues to the line manager

YoE / QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

RELATED YEAR OF EXPERIENCE

Min of 10+ years of experience in design process for developments with CAPEX 4+ billion AED

YOE IN MANAGERIAL POSITION

Min of 2+ years in a managerial position

SECTOR EXPERIENCE

Retail estate sector, construction

TECHNICAL AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

•Deep exposure to GCC region and adjacent markets preferred

•Demonstrated track record in real estate developments

•Excellent design & master-planning capabilities

•Strong conflict resolution/management skills

•Strong team player with ability to balance conflicting priorities and take timely decisions

•Excellent analytical skills

•Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal required to present master plans to senior leaders for approval

•Experienced in working with and leading multi-disciplinary teams that include members from Business Planning, Master Planning, Design, Project Management, Procurement and Commercial functions

QUALIFICATION

•Bachelor’s degree in architecture or engineering