Head of Design Department

Job Description A. Design Strategy & Management Develop and implement the overall design strategy for the company's projects.

Translate the project's development objectives, target market, positioning, budget, and product vision into design requirements.

Establish design standards, guidelines, specifications, and quality requirements.

Lead the design process from concept design through detailed design, tender, construction, and handover .

Ensure design decisions support the project's commercial, operational, technical, and aesthetic objectives.

Review and approve design deliverables within the department's authority.

B. Architectural Design Management Lead the development and review of architectural concepts and design packages.

Ensure architectural designs meet approved project requirements, regulations, quality standards, and development objectives.

Review building layouts, elevations, façades, materials, finishes, entrances, public areas, and architectural details.

Ensure consistency of architectural design across different project phases.

Identify design risks and provide appropriate technical and commercial solutions.

C. Interior Design Management Oversee interior design development and coordination.

Ensure interior design reflects the project's positioning, target customer, brand, and architectural concept.

Review interior layouts, finishes, materials, ceilings, flooring, doors, joinery, lighting coordination, and other relevant elements.

Coordinate interior design with architecture, MEP, furniture, and operational requirements.

Review and approve interior design submissions and material selections.

D. Exterior & Façade Design Oversee exterior architectural and façade development.

Ensure façade design achieves the required aesthetic, functional, technical, and commercial objectives.

Review façade materials, colors, textures, shading systems, entrances, balconies, and external architectural features.

Ensure façade designs are coordinated with structural and MEP requirements.

Review mock-ups, samples, shop drawings, and façade technical submissions.

E. Landscape Design Lead the coordination of landscape design with the overall master plan and architectural vision.

Review landscape concepts, hardscape, softscape, outdoor amenities, pedestrian areas, public spaces, and project entrances.

Ensure landscape design is coordinated with infrastructure, irrigation, lighting, architecture, and MEP.

Ensure landscape solutions consider functionality, aesthetics, sustainability, maintenance, and lifecycle cost.

F. Consultant Management Manage and evaluate external design consultants.

Define consultant scopes of work, deliverables, design responsibilities, and submission requirements.

Participate in consultant selection and technical evaluation.

Monitor consultant performance against approved scope, quality, cost, and schedule.

Conduct design review meetings with consultants.

Challenge and improve consultant proposals where required.

Ensure consultant comments and design revisions are properly tracked and closed.

Ministry Declaration coordination from architecture prospective

F. Design Review & Quality Assurance Establish a formal design review and approval process.

Review design packages at key project stages.

Ensure drawings, specifications, calculations, schedules, and technical documents are complete and coordinated.

Monitor design quality and minimize design errors, omissions, and unnecessary revisions.

Establish design checklists and quality-control procedures.

Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, authority requirements, and company policies.

H. Value Engineering & Cost Optimization Lead design-related value engineering initiatives.

Identify opportunities to optimize project costs without compromising approved quality or customer experience.

Review alternative materials, construction systems, technologies, and design solutions.

Coordinate with Cost Control, Procurement, Development, and Project Management teams.

Assess the technical, financial, aesthetic, and operational impact of proposed design changes.

K. Construction & Technical Support Provide design leadership during construction.

Review technical queries, RFIs, shop drawings, material submittals, and proposed design changes.

Support Project Management and Construction teams in resolving design-related issues.

Conduct periodic site visits to monitor implementation of approved design intent.

Review deviations from approved designs and recommend corrective actions.

Ensure design changes during construction are properly evaluated and documented.

M. Team Leadership & Development Lead, manage, and develop the Design Engineering team.

Define departmental objectives, KPIs, and annual plans.

Allocate resources according to project priorities.

Conduct performance reviews and identify development needs.

Establish technical knowledge-sharing and design review practices.

Coach Senior Design Engineers and Design Coordinators.

Build a high-performance and collaborative design culture.

Key Deliverables The Department Head is responsible for ensuring timely delivery of: Project Design Brief

Design Strategy

Concept Design

Schematic Design

Detailed Design

Architectural Design Packages

Interior Design Packages

Exterior/Façade Packages

Landscape Design Packages

Engineering Coordination Packages

Tender Documentation

Authority Submission Packages

Design Review Reports

Value Engineering Proposals

Design Change Reports

Technical Review Comments

Shop Drawing Reviews

Design Completion / As-Built Documentation

Bachelor's degree in Architecture or a relevant Engineering discipline.

15+ years of relevant professional experience, preferably in real estate development.

Proven experience in design management and leading multidisciplinary design teams.

Strong expertise in architectural design, technical coordination, and value engineering.

Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks, and BIM coordination tools.

Extensive experience in consultant management, design reviews, and construction documentation.

Strong knowledge of building codes, authority approvals, and quality assurance.

Excellent leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.