Senior Design Manager

Job Summary

The overall responsibility and duties under this role is to initiate, manage and lead projects through the RIBA Design Stages 0 – 4 (inception to final design), and provide design support to the Project Delivery team during construction (RIBA Stage 5). The role is ultimately responsible for ensuring projects are delivered to the Client’s time, quality and budget objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-contract Stage (RIBA Stage 0 to 4)

• Responsible for the entire design process from initiation to project handover to the Delivery Team for construction, including but not limited to:
• Prepare budgets, project briefs (in written and graphic presentation form), scopes of services and programmes for consultant RFP tenders to be issued to the market to deliver a variety of project types and scales;
• Guide and assist in the initiation, management and completion of the tender processes and selection of consultant teams (bidder recommendations, expressions of interest, pre-qualification, RFPs, post tender interviews, technical evaluation, award recommendation and contract execution and administration);
• Provision of day-to-day management, guideance, instruction and leadship to awarded consultants, ensuring the project is delivered to the Client’s time, quality and budget objectives;
• Collaborate with the Development, Commercial and Project Delivery teams on design strategy, schedule, budgets, and execution strategy;
• Review project deliverables, for completeness, coordination, adherance to the scope of work and compliance with authority requirements, providing comments, mark-ups and feedback whenever required;
• Ensure design/project approvals are received following all formal submissions to the Client and government authorities;
• Manage the conditions and queries received from the Client and government authorities in relation to the relevant projects;
• Preparation of presentations, reporting on design development and progress to senior management, Client representatives and key stakeholders;
• Maintaining active and timely lines of communication with the Client (via the Project Owner), key government authorities, consultants and associated stakeholders and promoting effective relationships to benefit the projects;
• Keep up to date on government regulations and statutory requirements and determine their impact on project delivery;
• Schedule and attend all projects meetings. Ensure action items are documented by the relevant parties and distributed appropriately;
• Support the Project Owner and the Commercial Department to manage the project financially and contractually, including administration of consultants contracted deliverables and invoicing procedures;
• Administration of risk and change management procedures;
• Administration of Value Engineering procedures;
• Provide input into weekly/monthly/quarterly reporting;
• Assist the Project Delivery team in the provision of design support and advice during the post-contract tender stage;
• Provide assistance in the technical review of tender submissions and selection process of the contractor;
• Administration of Pre-contract Stage close-out and handover procedures; and
• Perform other duties as assigned to the Senior Design Manager.
  
  

• Act as design ambassador and guardian through the provision of design support and advice to the Project Manager, ensuring the approved designs and objectives are maintained throughout the execution and completion of the post-contract works; and
• Where applicable, highlight any departures to the Project Manager for decision and appropriate action.
  
  

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture or Design Management
• Preferably Chartered Professional member of recognized professional body (RIBA, RICS, ICE, etc.),
• PMP is an added advantage
  
  

• 12 – 15 Years of experience in design management (minimum 5 years’ experience in UAE) including considerable work experience with reputable companies;
• Demonstrable experience of managing multiple projects simultaneously;
• Previous Client-side experience (either direct appointment or under a secondment basis) is an added advantage
  
  

• Demonstrated extensive knowledge of architectural design, drafting, building materials, building codes and construction techniques;
• General knowledge of best practices in building design disciplines including architecture, structural, civil, mechanical, landscape and interior design;
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in tender procurement
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Plan of Work 2020
  
  

• Design delivered to Client project time, cost and quality objectives
• Lead Time Per Project (Efficiency measure - how much time a project takes from request to final delivery)
• Estimated vs. Actual Project Time (Enhanced efficiency measure - comparing what was estimated to actual).
• Estimated vs. Actual Project Budget
• Client Satisfaction Ratings (during and post-project completion)