Manager - Design

GMR Group; India; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

GMR Group is seeking a Design Manager to lead planning and design of passenger-centric environments in airport terminals. You will oversee lounges, F&B, retail and hospitality spaces, ensuring layouts optimize passenger flow, brand integration, and commercial performance.

The role requires 10+ years in commercial/hospitality design, strong portfolio in airport projects, and leadership of a 3+ member design team.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in commercial/hospitality design.
• Strong portfolio of airport or mixed-use projects.
• Experience leading teams of architects and designers.
• Registered Architect with COA (India) or equivalent license.

Responsibilities

• Lead design development for lounges, retail, and hospitality areas in airport terminals.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and branding consultants to align design with operations.
• Ensure compliance with safety, building codes, ICAO/IATA standards.
• Mentor a design team of 3+ architects/designers and oversee daily workflows.

Skills

Design leadership

Project management

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Architectural design

Hospitality design

Education

Bachelor's/Master’s degree in Architecture

COA licensing (India)

Job description

Job Description:

JOB PURPOSE

Design-savvy and strategically minded Manager-Design with strong experience in commercial, retail, and hospitality architecture will lead the planning and design of passenger-centric environments within airport terminals and ancillary facilities. The role requires a deep understanding of user experience, spatial flow, brand integration, maintenance & operations and commercial optimization within high-traffic, complex environments.

ORGANISATION CHART

Manager âÃÂàDesign --> AGM âÃÂàDesign --> Chief Executive Officer - DIAL --> Head - Finishes

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Responsibilities

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Design Development for Commercial & Hospitality Spaces

• Lead architectural design of lounges, F&B areas, retail zones, and hospitality elements in airport environments.
• Ensure spatial layouts optimize passenger flows, operational efficiency, and revenue potential.
• Keep up-to-date with trends in hospitality, luxury retail, and experiential design within aviation and transport infrastructure.
• Oversee the design documentation process from concept through construction with attention to detail and quality.

• Design Approval Turnaround Time
• Compliance to detail & quality

Conceptualization & Presentation

• Create and present mood boards, material palettes, and design narratives to communicate the design vision effectively.
• Integrate architectural concepts with branding, wayfinding, and experiential design to elevate passenger satisfaction and commercial performance.

• Design Approval Turnaround Time
• Design Feasibility Success Rate
• Design Review for any unit that is going to be added

Sustainability, Innovation & Compliance

• Support sustainability initiatives and innovation in material use, digital integration, and future-ready design strategies.
• Ensure compliance with building codes, safety regulations, and international aviation standards (ICAO, IATA).

• Compliance with standards

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES - Additional Details

EXTERNAL INTERACTIONS

• Coordinate with airport stakeholders, hospitality operators, commercial tenants, and branding consultants.

INTERNAL INTERACTIONS

• Regular interaction with other disciplines for getting necessary support/ input in terms of required building services

FINANCIAL DIMENSIONS

• NA

OTHER DIMENSIONS

• Manage and mentor a design team of at least 3 architects or designers, overseeing daily workflows, quality, and coordination.

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors/ MasterâÂÂs degree in Architecture from a recognized institution.
• Registered Architect with COA (India) or equivalent license

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 10 years of experience, including at least 5 years in commercial/hospitality design within airport or mixed-use projects.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating hospitality and commercial projects with design innovation
• Design supervision experience of minimum of 3 large scale completed projects

COMPETENCIES

• Personal Effectiveness
• Social Awareness
• Entrepreneurship
• Problem Solving & Analytical Thinking
• Planning & Decision Making
• Capability Building
• Strategic Orientation
• Stakeholder Focus
• Networking
• Execution & Results
• Teamwork & Interpersonal influence

Requirements: