Head of Design & Project Delivery

Role Overview

Head of Design & Project Delivery at Metabolic Health, located at Grove Mall, Al Barsha, Dubai, UAE. This is a high-impact executive leadership role reporting directly to the Founders, responsible for safeguarding design integrity and driving the successful execution of facility fit-outs.

Role Purpose

Act as the organization's central authority for design governance and project management of new facilities and construction delivery. This role requires a rare combination of high-level project management and hands-on technical depth, managing multidisciplinary teams, consultants, and contractors with an assertive, ownership-driven mindset to ensure all parties remain on schedule and within budget through rigorous oversight.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Governance & Healthcare Integrity

• Lead technical validation of architectural, structural, MEP, and joinery shop drawings.
• Personally review and markup AutoCAD/Revit files to identify clashes before they reach the site.
• Ensure all projects strictly adhere to DHA (Dubai Health Authority) or MOHAP Health Facility Guidelines.
• Manage specific spatial requirements for clinical rooms, sterile environments, and optimized patient flow.
• Ensure design and contractors comply with healthcare-specific HVAC (Infection Control/HEPA), Medical Gas systems, and Lead Lining (Radiation Protection).
• Coordinate technical requirements for medical equipment (e.g., Imaging/X-Ray) with DEWA loads.
• Lead selection and approval of material samples, physical mock-ups, and FF&E to ensure they meet the Founders' aesthetic vision while remaining clinically compliant (antimicrobial surfaces, etc.).
• Lead approvals with Dubai Municipality (DM), Civil Defence (DCD) for life safety, and DEWA.

Strategic Project Management & Delivery

• Act as primary point of contact for Architects of Record, MEP consultants, and General Contractors.
• Establish rigorous communication cadence to manage deliverables and ensure no project lag.
• Drive project schedules with an "on-time, every time" mentality.
• Identify bottlenecks and proactively pivot resources to keep the critical path on track.
• Lead high-intensity snagging/de-snagging cycles and operational readiness audits.
• Develop a "Delivery Standard" playbook to ensure craftsmanship meets the flagship brand standard.
• Utilize digital tools (Procore, Bluebeam, BIM360) for virtual site verifications and progress monitoring for regional or satellite projects.

Commercial & Founder-Level Leadership

• Manage project budgets with total transparency.
• Validate payment applications from contractors and rigorously track variations to protect the company's capital.
• Oversee planning approvals and permit processes across Dubai jurisdictions (DM, DCD, Tecom, etc.).
• Deliver consolidated project dashboards, risk assessments, and strategic updates directly to the Founders.
• Offer clear solutions to complex site challenges.

Tendering, Procurement & Commercial Strategy

• Lead end-to-end preparation of Tender Packages (ITT), including detailed Scopes of Work (SOW), technical specifications, and healthcare-specific MEP requirements.
• Rigorously vet potential General Contractors and specialized healthcare sub-contractors (Medical Gas, Lead Lining, HVAC).
• Ensure contractors have the financial stability and DHA-track record required.
• Lead "leveling" sessions to compare bids across multiple contractors.
• Negotiate aggressively on behalf of the Founders to ensure "Value for Money" without compromising on clinical quality or aesthetic finish.

Qualifications & Experience

• 10–15 years in Design-Build or Fit-out Delivery.
• Proven track record of delivering high-end healthcare or clinical projects in the UAE.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, or Construction Management.
• Prior experience or technical knowledge of UK (NHS/HTM standards) or USA (FGI/AIA healthcare guidelines) is considered a significant advantage.

Skills & Competencies

• Expert-level AutoCAD proficiency (mandatory).
• Advanced ability to navigate BIM/Revit.
• Advanced technical markups using Bluebeam Revu.
• Advanced project management expertise in managing external contractors and consultants.
• Ability to be assertive and "firm but fair" to maintain project momentum.
• Assertive, solutions-driven leadership style.
• Uncompromising eye for both technical detail and aesthetic finish.

Additional Information

Success in this role means: the physical portfolio is a 1:1 realization of the approved design concept and fully DHA-compliant; contractors and consultants are managed effectively, resulting in zero project delays and minimal variations; the Founders have total confidence in project timelines and financial reporting through clear, concise communication.