Senior Design Manager - Master Planning | Real Estate | Asset Development

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions: automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration, and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day.

Overview of the role

The role involves managing design tasks for the Design department, including consultant and stakeholder management, technical reviews, advisory on design quality, functionality, engineering, statutory considerations, constructability, and deliverable completeness. It also includes conducting internal design studies, research, and technical analysis. The role typically oversees three or more complex and atypical projects.

What you will do

Design Brief and Assessment:

• Complete assessment of plots, including evaluations of the physical characteristics, location and context, visibility, access and circulation, etc.
• Create a detailed design brief, incorporating product objectives, project and context description, collating all relevant background information and related documents, and defining the key design objectives and technical criteria.
• In coordination with the Project Management department, define a set of detailed infrastructure, engineering, delivery or statutory considerations to be included in the design brief.

Design Process Management:

• Guide projects from design vision to tender documentation, advising throughout construction.
• Define timeframes, aspirations, and documentation requirements with consultants.
• Ensure clear communication and documentation between stakeholders.
• Lead project reviews for compliance with objectives, costs, efficiency, user experience, and aesthetics.
• Conduct technical reviews on design criteria, performance, engineering coordination, and statutory issues.
• Provide commentary on design deliverables for executive presentations.
• Assess design changes and recommend actions.
• Prepare executive presentations and involve relevant stakeholders.
• Resolve feedback conflicts and secure necessary statutory approvals.
• Develop marketing collateral for project launches.

Support the Definition of Development Briefs and Budgets:

• Advise on various aspects of the development brief documents, including project positioning, development statistics targets, and project programme.
• Identify and advise on key design, infrastructure, engineering, delivery or statutory considerations that have impact on the development strategy.
• Conduct independent cost analysis and coordinate with the Commercial department for cost benchmarks to ensure suitability of targets.
• Advise on project budget, including breakdowns of hard and soft costs.
• Support return on investment calculations that model and evaluate the benefits of various product or design considerations within projects.

Research and Development:

• Lead research on city and product design (smart technologies, mobility, sustainability, amenities).
• Develop and refine departmental systems (guidelines, templates).
• Advise on development briefs, budgets, and cost analysis.
• Support return on investment calculations.

Project Schedule and Reporting:

• Define project schedules and milestones.
• Create roadmaps for weekly project progress.
• Prepare progress reports for executive review.

Required Skills to be successful

• Minimum 15+ years’ experience in design and management-related roles, preferably having worked with leading local developers or consultancy firms.
• In-depth experience managing residential and commercial projects is required; hospitality projects are a plus.
• Versatility across design disciplines, including architecture and interior design, with skills in graphics and presentations.
• Advanced knowledge of technical requirements of buildings, including advanced understanding of structural and MEP systems, civil works, construction, and statutory authorities.
• Ability to prepare clear and compelling presentations to executive management.

What equips you for the role

• Master’s or bachelor’s degree in architecture or similar.
• Extensive experience with Master Planning for all design stages (from Concept to IFC).
• Supplementary training in business or real estate is a plus.

About Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate

The real estate development and operations arm of Al-Futtaim, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate is responsible for a multi-billion-dollar portfolio across MENA. With high-quality residential, business, retail, tourism, educational, and healthcare developments, the master developer caters to the diverse needs of cities and communities in the region. From origination, conception, development, sales, procurement, and construction of mega-projects to the leasing, operation, and management of these projects after completion, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE) has been developing and managing owned landbanks, unlocking the economic potential of the region and contributing to future development for more than 40 years.

AFGRE is responsible for master planning of all projects in its portfolio, including two large scale mixed-use destinations: Dubai Festival City and Cairo Festival City.