Senior Manager, Design & Projects

Millennium & Copthorne International Limited; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Millennium & Copthorne International Limited seeks a Design Management & Planning professional to lead hotel development, renovation and upgrading projects from concept to completion.

You will develop design briefs, review proposals, and coordinate architects and consultants while aligning with operational requirements and guest experience. The role requires strong hospitality design experience and ability to manage multiple projects end-to-end.

Qualifications

• Degree holder in Architecture, Interior Design, Building, Construction or Project Management.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant hospitality design experience.
• Strong experience in hospitality design and design management, including coordination of architects and consultants.
• Demonstrated experience in design feasibility, space planning and preliminary/concept design work.
• Experience in managing projects through design development, tender, construction and completion.

Responsibilities

• Lead design management for hotel development, renovation and upgrading projects from concept to completion.
• Coordinate with architects, interior designers and consultants to deliver quality design.
• Review design proposals, drawings and specifications for functionality, cost and compliance.
• Incorporate operational and guest experience requirements into project design.
• Ensure design quality, sustainability, accessibility and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Design management

Stakeholder management

Project coordination

Communication skills

Analytical/problem-solving

Education

Degree in Architecture / Interior Design / Building / Construction / PM

Tools

CAD

Presentation software

BIM

Budgeting tools

Job description

Design Management & Planning

• Lead and manage the design process for hotel development, renovation, refurbishment and upgrading projects from concept through completion.
• Develop and review design briefs, hotel facility programmes and project requirements, and provide design direction to architects, interior designers and consultants.
• Review design proposals, drawings, materials and specifications to ensure design quality, functionality, operational suitability, cost effectiveness and compliance with design standards.
• Coordinate with hotel operators and internal stakeholders to incorporate operational and guest experience requirements into project design.
• Ensure design proposals appropriately consider accessibility, safety, sustainability, maintainability and applicable statutory requirements, where relevant.

Design Feasibility & Concept Development

• Undertake design feasibility studies, space planning, concept development and preliminary design work for selected projects.
• Develop design options, preliminary layouts and concept proposals to assess project feasibility functionality, cost and implementation considerations.
• Undertake design work for smaller-scale projects that do not require external designers.
• Provide design and technical input to feasibility and due diligence studies, identifying potential design, planning and implementation constraints at an early stage.

Project Management & Implementation

• Lead project planning, coordination and implementation, including tender, construction, site coordination, completion and handover.
• Coordinate architects, designers, consultants, contractors, hotel operators and other project stakeholders.
• Monitor project budget, programme, quality and design standards, and identify and resolve design and project issues in a timely manner.
• Ensure design intent and approved project requirements are properly communicated and implemented throughout project execution.

Cost & Technical Management

• Carry out cost studies and value engineering to achieve cost-effective design solutions without compromising quality or functionality.
• Review the cost and programme implication of design changes and project requirements.
• Provide design and technical advice to the Vice President, Design & Planning and relevant senior stakeholders.
• Balance design quality, operational requirements, cost and programme when evaluating project options and recommendations.

Reporting & Design Standards

• Prepare design presentations, feasibility studies, project reports, budget papers and management submissions as required.
• Review and update design standards, guidelines and procedures.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of design and project delivery practices, including capturing lessons learned from completed projects.
• Assist the Vice President, Design & Planning on other design, development and project-related matters.

Education & Experience

• Degree of Diploma in Architecture, Interior Design, Building, Construction, Project Management or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years relevant experience, preferably in hospitality, hotel development, renovation or refurbishment projects.
• Strong experience in hospitality design and design management, including coordination of architects, interior designers and multidisciplinary consultants.
• Demonstrated experience in design feasibility, space planning and preliminary / concept design work.
• Experience in managing projects through design development, tender, construction and completion.

Design & Technical Skills

• Strong design judgement and sensibility, with an eye for proportion, materials, finishes, detailing and overall design quality.
• Good understanding of hotel design, guest experience and operational requirements.
• Good knowledge of building construction and project implementation.
• Ability to interpret and review architectural, interior design, engineering and construction drawings and specifications.
• Proficient in CAD and relevant design and presentation software.
• Experience in project cost review, budget control and value engineering.
• Awareness of sustainability, accessibility, maintainability and relevant statutory requirements in design and project development.

Project & Management Skills

• Strong project planning, coordination and implementation skills.
• Good commercial awareness and ability to balance design quality, functionality, operational requirements, cost and programme.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.
• Ability to lead and coordinate multidisciplinary project teams and external consultants.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Good stakeholder-management and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior management, hotel operators, consultants, designers and contractors.
• Proactive, self-motivated, assertive and able to work independently.
• Effective team player with a strong sense of responsibility, ownership and accountability.