Design Manager

About the job

Position: Design Manager
Job Location: Abu Dhabi

Responsibilities:

1. Design Leadership and Collaboration:
   Take ownership of the project’s design from inception to completion, ensuring adherence to project scope, timeline, budget, relevant codes, standards, and communicated design considerations.
   Collaborate with project design teams comprising architects, drafters, modelers, engineers, external specialists, sub-consultants, freelancers, clients, and other stakeholders to ensure the successful preparation, development, and delivery of design projects.
   Facilitate seamless coordination among cross-functional design disciplines to support effective construction execution.
   Oversee design team assignments, task management, and time tracking to ensure efficient workflow.
   Monitor and control resource allocation for the architectural design team, aligning with the resource plan set by the Architectural Section Manager.
   Stay updated on local and international regulatory requirements, building codes, and industry trends, advising the team and stakeholders accordingly.
2. Design Quality Assurance:
   Ensure design concepts align with project requirements, goals, and regulatory guidelines.
   Coordinate and participate in design reviews, presentations, and workshops.
   Verify the quality, accuracy, and completeness of design deliverables and maintain high-quality standards through stringent quality control procedures.
   Conduct regular design reviews to identify and address discrepancies, avoiding scope creep and abortive work.
3. Client Engagement and Communications:
   Engage with clients to understand project requirements, objectives, and design preferences.
   Provide expert advice, manage client expectations, and foster strong relationships.
   Present design concepts and proposals to obtain necessary approvals and report on design status.
   Represent Al Suweidi in design-related communications, presentations, meetings, workshops, and other stakeholder engagements.
   Execute prequalification and performance assessments of external design teams and specialists.
   Lead stakeholder workshops and charrettes to gather input and align design objectives with project goals.
   Act as the primary point of contact for resolving design conflicts among stakeholders.
4. Team Development and Evaluation:
   Mentor junior team members and contribute to talent development by organizing knowledge-sharing sessions, training programs, and workshops.
   Provide technical support, coaching, and tools to enhance the architectural design team’s performance and efficiency.
   Execute performance evaluations for internal and external design team members, including sub-consultants and specialists.
   Support recruitment and onboarding efforts for the design team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
5. Project Control:
   Serve as a problem solver for unforeseen challenges in the design process, ensuring timely resolutions to maintain project progress.
   Develop contingency plans to address critical design or resource issues without compromising deadlines or quality.
   Support the development and adherence to project resource, quality, time, and budget plans, identifying cost-saving opportunities and value engineering options without compromising quality.
   Identify design-related risks and implement corrective and preventive measures with appropriate mitigation strategies, ensuring proper documentation in the lessons-learned register.
   Provide support during post-construction stages, including design-related clarifications or modifications requested by clients or contractors.
   Verify compliance with building codes, regulations, and industry standards.
   Manage design documentation, including drawings, presentations, reports, specifications, cost estimates, BoQs, and correspondence.
   Support documentation for project handovers and record-keeping.
6. Policy and Procedure Adherence:
   Follow work instructions from the Architectural Section Manager, technical advisors, and Design Project Managers concerning project scope requirements.
   Comply with all rules, regulations, and procedures established by ALSUWEIDI Management.
   Evaluate and recommend new design tools, software, and technologies to enhance productivity and accuracy.
   Oversee the implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) best practices within the design team.

Requirements:

1. Educational Background:
   Bachelor’s degree in architecture.
   Master’s degree in architecture and professional certifications or affiliations with architectural organizations are advantages.
2. Relevant Experience:
   Not less than 12 years of experience in Architectural Design.
   Proven no less than 7 years of experience in a senior architectural position within an engineering consultancy organization in UAE.
3. Design Skills:
   Strong knowledge of architectural design principles, techniques, and best practices.
   Excellent design management skills, including the ability to deliver a design from concept to construction as a standalone or a supervised design team supported by tasks, quality, time, and design resources cost management.
   International and UAE Building Codes and Practices
   Familiarity with international building codes, regulations, and construction practices.
4. Software Proficiency:
   Proficiency in design software such as AutoCAD and Revit.
5. Communication Skills:
   Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

Benefits:

1. Competitive salary package.
2. Health insurance and annual leave as per UAE labor law.
3. End-of-service benefits as per UAE labor law.
4. Professional development opportunities.
5. Work in a collaborative and innovative environment.