Associate Director - Design

Job Purpose

• Accountable for the design management of vertical assets including communities, villas, governmental buildings
• Managing client communication, authorities’ requirements and consultants
  
  
  

Please note, this role is for UAE National only.

Roles And Responsibilities

• Provide overall design direction on feasibility / test fits
• Provide input and innovative ideas to management
• Manage the creation of client design briefs in conjunction with Development Managers
• Participate in prequalification process and assist and oversee assessments of consultant
• Assist and oversee the Brief and the Scope sections of the RFP
• Manage and approve tender evaluations for technical stage submissions
• Establish and manage the Aldar Design Guidelines
• Oversee, review and approve the Project Implementation Plan for each project
• Oversee and approve the Bidders Recommendation Report
• Participate in all Architectural / vertical / residential, mixed use design presentations and review all design related submittals from concept to final delivery
• Manage the consultant contract in relation to contract implementation, measuring completed work for payments, variation orders etc
• Manage and approve all proposed value engineering options
• Oversee the management design progress against the programme
• Review design documentation for the purpose of validating brief / code compliance
• Review and approve all proposed materials, their substitutes and colours
• Ensure adherence to Estidama standards
• Liaise with consultants and ensure that all drawing submittals are in line with Aldar specifications
• Review consultants work submittals against project brief and recommend changes in case of deviation
• Ensure that adequate level of support is provided to project teams during execution and commissioning through design reviews for constructability issues
• Ensure integrity of the approved design is maintained through project delivery and handover, working with project stakeholders to assess, manage and document any design changes
• Ensure possible value engineering ideas are identified to cut costs/time and provide recommendations to project teams
• Ensure that all architectural / vertical / residential, mixed use design changes are clearly communicated to DM & related functions to be reflected in the forecasts
• Work closely with Master Planning and Infrastructure teams to ensure design fit with overall plan
• Ensure the issuance of all required government permits and construction licenses
• Carry out weekly and monthly reporting of progress and issues to the line manager
• Work with Stakeholder Management to obtain design NOCs in conjunction with government relations
• Work with Stakeholder Management to obtain Utility/DOT/ADM/ etc NOC’s in order to obtain a Building Permit through the consultants
  
  
  

Qualifications & Experience

RELATED YEARS OF EXPERIENCE:

Min of 14+ years of experience in real estate architecture or design of residential, mixed use and vertical assets.

FIELD OF EXPERIENCE:

• Managing the design process
• Ensuring compliance with codes, design brief, PIP & PEP & detailed schedule
• Able to hit deadlines with accurate work submittals from consultants
• Deep exposure to GCC region and adjacent markets preferred
  
  
  

TECHNICAL AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

• Excellent design & masterplanning capabilities
• Excellent leadership skills and ability to delegate and coordinate responsibilities
• Strong conflict resolution/management skills
• Strong team player with ability to balance conflicting priorities and take timely decisions
• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, required to present master plans to senior leaders for approval
• Experienced in working with and leading multi-disciplinary teams that include members from Business Planning, Master Planning, Design, Project Management, Procurement and Commercial functions
  
  
  

QUALIFICATION(S):

Bachelor degree in engineering, architecture or equivalent is required

Technical post-graduate degree is preferred.