Design Manager - Hospitality

deverellsmith; Medina Province; On-site; SAR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading design firm in Medina, Saudi Arabia, is seeking a Design Manager for Hospitality to oversee end-to-end design development of hospitality projects. This role involves leading design phases, managing internal and external design teams, and ensuring compliance with operational and brand standards. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a related field, 6-10+ years of experience, and proficiency in design tools. This position offers an opportunity to drive excellence in hospitality projects while contributing to innovative design solutions.

Qualifications

• 6-10+ years of experience in hospitality design, preferably with exposure to hotel operators.
• Strong portfolio of hospitality projects (hotels, resorts, F&B, leisure).
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary design teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design phases for hospitality projects, ensuring brand alignment.
• Coordinate with hotel operators to incorporate operational flows.
• Conduct site visits to monitor design implementation.

Skills

Project management

Leadership and team coordination

Stakeholder management

Problem-solving

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

SketchUp

Adobe Suite

Job description

Position Title: Design Manager – Hospitality

Department: Design / Development

Location: Medina, Saudi Arabia

Reports To: Director of Design / Head of Development

Position Summary

The Design Manager – Hospitality oversees the end-to-end design development of hospitality projects—such as hotels, resorts, serviced apartments, F&B concepts, and leisure assets. The role ensures that all design solutions meet brand standards, operational requirements, guest experience expectations, and project budget and timeline constraints. This position collaborates closely with architects, consultants, operators, and internal stakeholders to drive excellence in concept development, design coordination, and project execution.

Key Responsibilities

1. Design Leadership & Coordination

• Lead the conceptual, schematic, and detailed design phases for hospitality projects, ensuring alignment with brand identity and guest experience goals.
• Manage internal and external design teams including architects, interior designers, landscape designers, and specialist consultants.
• Review and approve design submissions, drawings, materials, and mock-ups.
• Ensure that all designs adhere to local regulations, operator standards, sustainability guidelines, and project requirements.

2. Collaboration With Operators & Stakeholders

• Coordinate closely with hotel operators to incorporate operational flows, back-of-house efficiencies, and brand compliance.
• Facilitate design workshops, technical reviews, and coordination meetings with development, project management, procurement, and construction teams.
• Manage communication between stakeholders to resolve design issues promptly.

3. Quality Assurance & Design Governance

• Develop and enforce design guidelines, material standards, and quality benchmarks for hospitality assets.
• Conduct regular site visits to monitor design implementation and ensure consistency with approved design intent.
• Evaluate value‑engineering proposals while maintaining design integrity and guest‑experience quality.

4. Project Planning & Management

• Define design scope, deliverables, timelines, and milestones with clear accountability.
• Monitor design budgets, ensuring efficient use of resources and alignment with overall project financial targets.
• Identify design risks and propose solutions to prevent delays or cost overruns.

5. Innovation & Industry Trends

• Stay up-to-date on global hospitality trends, sustainability practices, technology integration, and material innovations.
• Drive creativity in spatial planning, guest experience, and brand positioning.
• Recommend design enhancements that improve operational performance and asset value.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or related field.
• 6‑10+ years of experience in hospitality design, preferably with exposure to hotel operators, developers, or design consultancies.
• Strong portfolio of hospitality projects (hotels, resorts, F&B, leisure).
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary design teams across multiple design stages.
• Excellent understanding of hotel brand standards, operational workflows, codes, and regulations.
• Strong project management, communication, and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Proficiency in design tools (AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Adobe Suite) and familiarity with BIM workflows.

Key Competencies

• Design Excellence & Creative Vision
• Leadership & Team Coordination
• Stakeholder Management
• Technical & Regulatory Knowledge
• Problem‑Solving & Decision‑Making
• Time & Budget Management
• Attention to Detail
• Strong Communication Skills