Design Manager

Job Overview

The Design Manager will take full ownership of shaping the design of a Luxury Hotel Development located in Fujairah, UAE. This role encompasses the entire design lifecycle, from conceptualization through to construction completion and final handover. As SML serves as developer, designer, builder, and operator, the Design Manager is responsible for defining and controlling the design intent, detailed specifications, and materials ensuring they are feasible, budget-compliant, and ready for operational use. The role also includes overseeing approvals from UAE authorities, coordinating consultants, and providing ongoing design support during construction.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the entire design process from initial concept to project handover, establishing design intent, details, materials, and specifications rather than merely coordinating finalized designs.
• Oversee design-build delivery by directing consultants and designers through construction phases, maintaining ownership over design execution.
• Ensure designs are practical and buildable, focusing on constructability, detailing, fit-outs, and finishes, while collaborating closely with site and construction teams during progress.
• Review and validate design outputs including drawings, Bills of Quantities (BOQs), and specifications to ensure technical completeness, accuracy, budget alignment, and program compliance.
• Manage and secure stakeholder and authority approvals during the design stage involving Fujairah officials, hotel operators, and client representatives.
• Identify potential design risks and lead value engineering initiatives, optimizing aesthetics, technical feasibility, operational needs, and financial considerations.
• Control the design schedule, monitor milestones and deliverables across consultants, and provide design guidance and clarifications to on-site teams throughout construction.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture is mandatory; a Master's degree is preferred, confirming architectural training.
• A minimum of 10 years in Design Management, including at least 5 years experience within the UAE market.
• Demonstrable experience delivering luxury hotels, hospitality projects, or upscale developments.
• Proven track record in design-build projects from the contractor or developer perspective or EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) background.
• Extensive knowledge of UAE building codes, regulations, and processes for authority approvals, along with experience handling stakeholders and authorities during the design phase.
• Robust technical expertise in detailing, constructability, and execution, with capacity to manage fit-out stages directly (consultancy-only design coordination backgrounds are insufficient).
• Competency with AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong leadership capabilities to effectively manage and motivate multidisciplinary design teams.
• Excellent communication skills to coordinate with consultants, contractors, regulatory bodies, hotel operators, and client representatives.
• Keen attention to design details and adherence to luxury hospitality quality standards.
• Exceptional organizational skills to handle multiple concurrent design packages and deadlines efficiently.
• Commercial acumen for reviewing BOQs and applying value engineering principles.
• The ability to clearly convert design intent into actionable information for on-site construction teams, subcontractors, and fit-out groups.