Senior Interior Design Manager

My Client a leading Real Estate Developer requires a Senior Interior Design Manager to join their team in Abu Dhabi. The successful candidate will be essential in guiding design projects from inception to completion while upholding high standards of quality and compliance with relevant codes and practices. Tasked with evaluating consultant designs, this role effectively coordinates the design and development process alongside project and delivery teams. The Interior Design Manager concentrates on efficient scheduling and streamlined production design processes to ensure timely and quality outcomes for projects of all sizes. Serving as a pivotal liaison between senior management and the design team, they oversee both internal and external groups to guarantee successful and holistic project development and delivery.

Roles and Responsibilities

As a nexus of operational oversight and design excellence, the Manager, Interior Design ensures that projects are managed efficiently from ideation to execution. Entrusted with the stewardship of specific design segments, this role encompasses the following duties:

• Command the full cycle of design management projects from ideation to execution.
• Manage and coordinate the design and development process in collaboration with the wider projects and delivery team.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all interior design-related matters during development and delivery, ensuring alignment with broader objectives.
• Provide consistent guidance and support to junior staff, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Lead and coordinate with all internal and external stakeholders throughout the design and development process through to delivery.
• Communicate and present critical project updates and interior design strategies to senior management, ensuring understanding of priorities and impacts.
• Assess and evaluate interior design consultant's work for compliance with approved design briefs, leadership direction, relevant codes, regulations, and best practice standards.
• Ensure all designs maintain a high level of quality, aligning with project programs and approved direction and design intent.
• Monitor and mitigate development cost and risk throughout the design and delivery process.
• Oversee site inspections to check project progress and ensure compliance with briefs, leadership direction, regulations, and specifications.
• Prepare and deliver project-related presentations to both internal divisions and external stakeholders.
• Actively involve team members in decision-making processes, fostering a sense of ownership and shared success.
• Participate in talent recruitment and training initiatives to bolster team strength and competency.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams of designers and engineers throughout all design stages, ensuring smooth transitions and alignments.
• Ensure timely resolution of any design conflicts or issues that arise during the project lifecycle, facilitating discussions among relevant stakeholders to arrive at consensus.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Master's or Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Architecture, Interior Design, or related fields;
• Master's degree or MBA with a specialization in architecture, interior design, or related field is highly desirable;
• 12-15 years of interior design experience, including a minimum of 7 years in the GCC/UAE, with at least 3-5 years in real estate and/or hospitality development managing large-scale projects.
• Effective leadership skills with the ability to motivate and inspire team members to achieve excellence in their designated responsibilities and tasks.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills, both as a team player and as an independent contributor, with a demonstrated ability to balance teamwork and independent project assignments.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and lead projects to successful completion, while promoting a collaborative and supportive team environment.
• Proficient in developing and delivering concise and informative presentations to senior leadership, providing clear insights into project objectives, progress, and outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex project and design concepts effectively to executive audiences through well-crafted presentations.
• Exceptional design aesthetic sensibility
• Executed various projects / mixed-use developments.
• Strong financial acumen and demonstrated attention to best value for investment within agreed budgets, ensuring cost-effective design solutions without compromising quality.
• Extensive experience working with diverse and cross-functional teams and design disciplines, fostering effective collaboration and integration of various stakeholders.
• Results-driven mindset, consistently achieving project goals and driving success in design delivery.
• Excellent communication skills, written and spoken English (Arabic preferred).
• Strong presentation, interpersonal, and public speaking skills.
• Capacity to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Ability to foster collaborative relationships within and outside the organization.
• Proven track record in managing complex projects, displaying exemplary project management skills such as organization, time management, resourcefulness, flexibility, and communication.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.