Director – Design Planning & Services

United Arab Emirates·Abu DhabiExperienced hiresexecutive

OtherDirector

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Overview

JOB PURPOSE Lead the Group Design Planning & Services function as the integrated backbone of the Group Design Studio, connecting master planning, infrastructure planning and engineering, public realm,

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OtherDirector

JOB PURPOSE

Lead the Group Design Planning & Services function as the integrated backbone of the Group Design Studio, connecting master planning, infrastructure planning and engineering, public realm, architecture, interior design, design management and design innovation. Establish governance, programme, data and performance frameworks that enable coordinated design delivery, design excellence, efficiency and scalability across a multi-project portfolio.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Design Governance and Integration

Establish end-to-end design frameworks integrating all disciplines, with common standards, interfaces, decision pathways and accountabilities.
Establish unified design governance, procedures and quality frameworks across disciplines.
Act as central integrator across design teams, resolving interface risks and ensuring coherent end-to-end design outcomes.

Programme, Resources and Consultants

Lead design programme planning, resource orchestration and milestone governance across all design disciplines.
Proactively manage interdependencies across planning, infrastructure, buildings and interiors, optimising resource deployment across concurrent developments.
Develop and manage the integrated design procurement strategy, coordinating consultant scopes, interfaces, performance expectations and commercial compliance.
Maintain consistency of design intent and accountability across the consultant ecosystem.

Data, Digital and AI

Own the Studio's integrated data and systems architecture, providing visibility of progress, dependencies, resources, risks and decisions.
Embed AI-enabled tools, including large language models and agents, to improve scenario planning, tracking, risk detection, reporting and cross-discipline coordination.

Performance and Studio Operations

Deliver portfolio insights to the Group Chief Design Officer and Governance Committees on progress, quality, dependencies, resources and delivery risk.
Lead Studio operational support, setting team objectives, developing capability and ensuring scalable, agile and responsive delivery across multiple concurrent developments.

KEY MEASURES OF SUCCESS

Critical design milestones delivered in line with approved portfolio programmes.
Identified cross-disciplinary interface risks resolved within agreed timeframes.
Compliance with Group design governance and quality standards.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

14+ years of relevant experience in design planning, design management, design operations or a related built-environment discipline.
6+ years in managerial leadership roles.

TECHNICAL AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Design planning and programme governance
Cross-disciplinary design integration
Consultant and procurement management
Data, digital and AI-enabled workflow optimisation
Stakeholder management
Strategic planning and problem solving
Microsoft Office, PowerPoint and Excel
Project and portfolio management platforms
Design, common data environment (CDE) and collaboration platforms
Analytics, AI and large language model tools; workflow automation tools

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning, Design Management or a related discipline (required)
Master's degree (preferred)
Relevant professional certification or membership (preferred)