Design Manager - Real Estate

Role Overview

Design Manager - Real Estate at Asico, based in the United Arab Emirates. This role provides hands-on design leadership across the project portfolio, reporting to the Director of Operations & Projects Development.

Role Purpose

To take ownership of design development and coordination across active projects, ensuring architectural and engineering design is delivered to a high standard while remaining buildable, code-compliant, commercially practical, and aligned with project schedules. The Design Manager acts as the key technical link between the design studio and the construction site, working closely with architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and the wider project team.

Key Responsibilities

Design Development & Coordination

• Lead day-to-day development and coordination of architectural, structural, and MEP designs across active projects from concept through to construction.
• Review and coordinate consultant drawings and specifications to identify and resolve clashes, gaps, and inconsistencies before they reach site.
• Ensure all design deliverables are completed on time and aligned with the overall project program.

Technical Governance & BIM

• Act as day-to-day technical reviewer for design submissions, ensuring they meet the project brief, budget, and authority requirements.
• Maintain BIM protocols and standards across the design team to ensure accurate models and reliable data throughout design and construction.
• Support value engineering by identifying cost efficiencies without compromising design intent or quality.

Construction Support & Site Supervision

• Provide hands-on design support to the construction team on site by resolving design queries and issuing technical clarifications.
• Conduct site visits and inspections to ensure work follows approved drawings and specifications.
• Respond to contractor RFIs in coordination with design consultants.
• Review shop drawings and material submittals for design compliance.

Quality & Compliance

• Maintain design quality and consistency across the project portfolio by ensuring alignment with brand standards and authority regulations.
• Support QA/QC processes by identifying and resolving design-related non-conformities.
• Proactively manage design risks by identifying potential issues and coordination liabilities early and escalating them to senior management.

Stakeholder & Consultant Management

• Manage day-to-day relationships with design consultants, ensuring accountability for design quality, program, and deliverables.
• Support the permitting and NOC process by ensuring submissions meet the requirements of Dubai Municipality, DDA, DEWA, Civil Defense, and other relevant authorities.
• Represent the design function in project meetings with contractors, consultants, and clients where required.

Team Support & Handover

• Support and mentor junior design and BIM team members.
• Coordinate closely with Commercial, Procurement, and Construction teams to ensure design decisions are clearly communicated and potential delays or claims are minimized.
• Support testing, commissioning, and handover by ensuring design compliance and accurate as-built drawings reflecting the completed works.

Reporting

• Present weekly and monthly design progress and coordination reports covering design status, open technical queries, and risk items.
• Support the preparation of periodic client design updates and regulatory design submissions.

Market Intelligence & Risk

• Stay up to date with UAE design and building code requirements and emerging design and BIM technologies.
• Proactively identify and escalate design and coordination risks for inclusion in the project risk register to help protect the company's interests.

Qualifications & Experience

• 10 to 12 years of experience in architectural or engineering design with demonstrated exposure to construction-stage design support and site supervision.
• Minimum 5 years of UAE experience.
• Experience on the consultant or developer side is essential; prior main contractor design-coordination experience is a good addition, but contractor-only experience will not qualify on its own.
• Qualified Architect with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture.
• Valid UAE driving license.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong hands-on proficiency in AutoCAD and BIM (Revit or equivalent).
• Practical experience enforcing BIM protocols (LOD, BEP, CDE).
• Working knowledge of FIDIC Conditions of Contract as they relate to design obligations, RFIs, and variations.
• Familiarity with UAE construction codes and authority approval processes (Dubai Municipality, DDA, Civil Defence, DEWA).
• Arabic speaker with strong command of English, both written and spoken.
• Comfortable splitting time between design-office coordination and active site presence.

Additional Information

• Monthly compensation.
• Health coverage and work permit provided.
• Professional development opportunities and resources.
• Dynamic and collaborative work environment with growth potential.