Design Manager

Design manager – hospitality projects

Leading design delivery for hospitality (hotels/stadium/museums/hospitals) projects across the Middle East, ensuring alignment with client vision, technical standards, and project requirements. Manages multidisciplinary design teams, coordinates design development, and oversees design reviews, approvals, and integration with construction and procurement processes. Drives design quality, resolves technical challenges, and ensures timely delivery of coordinated, compliant, and buildable design solutions.

Communicate with the client’s representatives continuously regarding project progress and areas of concern.

Propose in-house project management procedure to comply with contract requirements and client’s procedures.

Establish and maintain specific project procedures for design/construction supervision management (as applicable).

Prepare special report to the project director to investigate any problem related to the scope of services and recommend solutions to management.

Identify priorities and tasks and develop the organization structure to assure execution of tasks, by providing clear direction on methods, time frame, and schedule to achieve the stated goals.

Provide clear definition of roles and responsibilities of project management staff.

Attend executive meetings and progress meetings.

Monitor performance to assure successful delivery of the key performance indicators and client contractual requirements.

Advise the project director on any potential variation to the design/supervision consultant and contractor’s scope of work that may generate cost or time impact and present the project management’s assessment.

Assist the project director in leading the project management staff in assessing variations and claims and report the technical position of the proposed variation to the client.

Advise the project director of any foreseen slippage of progress and propose corrective actions.

Review weekly and monthly reports as presented by design/supervision consultant(s) and contractor and present to the client comments of non-compliance, and/or area of concern and corrective actions.

Coordinate with design manager during the detailed design stage of the project to ensure design compliance with client requirement and avoid any cost impact.

Informs themselves of the relevant quality, environmental, safety and occupational health policies, manuals, and procedures in place within the company, and ensures continued compliance with these requirements while employed.

Perform other duties as assigned by the line manager/supervisor.

Qualifications and experience

Bachelor’s degree in architecture, construction management or equivalent.

Minimum of 15+ years of experience in comprehensive mega projects. Job role includes taking overall responsibility for projects design.

PMP, CIOB, RICS or equivalent certification is strongly preferred.

Skills and competencies

• Lead and motivate teams of diverse individuals to achieve common goals. This requires strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Oversee the planning and execution of multiple projects within a program. This involves defining project goals, establishing timelines, allocating resources, and tracking progress.
• Must identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks and issues that could impact the program's success. This requires strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Interact with a wide range of stakeholders, including executives, project managers, team members, and customers. Effectively manage stakeholder expectations, address concerns, and maintain clear communication channels.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with various stakeholders; able to articulate complex concepts clearly, provide concise updates, and actively listen to feedback.
• Lead and motivate teams, set clear expectations, and provide constructive feedback; be confident and foster a collaborative working environment.
• Identify and resolve issues that arise during program execution. Analyze problems from multiple perspectives, develop creative solutions, and implement effective strategies.
• Manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously. Prioritize effectively, meet deadlines, and maintain clear documentation.
• Experience of working internationally (preference GCC experience).

About the company

The company, with more than 4,300 professionals in over 100 offices worldwide, provides program management, project management, construction management, project management oversight, advisory, facilities management, and other consulting services to clients in a variety of market sectors. It is ranked as one of the largest program management firms in the world.

The company is exclusively a program, project, and construction management provider, meaning it has one focus as a company: protecting client interests. Free of any potential conflicts, the entire business is geared towards helping clients achieve their desired outcomes. The company is dedicated to exceeding expectations throughout the entire construction project lifecycle and adapts to the needs of each assignment to develop tailored approaches and solutions to meet those needs.

The company is part of a global infrastructure solutions family of companies.

The company is an equal opportunity employer/veteran/disabled.

Note

This job description is intended to provide an indication of the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions to be carried out as part of fulfilling the role mentioned. Various other duties as required.