Senior Manager – Interior Design I Real Estate I Asset Development

Overview

Job Requisition ID: 171982 

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world’s most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organization to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate. 

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day

Overview of the role:

In this role, you will be responsible for managing and delivering the design scope of high-profile residential and commercial projects within the Group’s development portfolio. Acting as the client representative, the role ensures design quality, functionality, and innovation while balancing budget, program, and commercial objectives. The candidate will be responsible for leading the interior design efforts, ensuring that interior spaces are functional, aesthetically appealing, and aligned with the project’s objectives and client expectations.

The Senior Design Manager will drive the design process across multiple stages — from feasibility and concept to construction — ensuring alignment with corporate vision, market positioning, and end-user expectations. The purpose of this role is to ensure that each project meets the highest design standards, enhances the user experience, and contributes to the overall success of the real estate development portfolio

What you will do:

Responsible for:

 Project and Design Management:

• Lead the development of interior design concepts and detailed designs for commercial, residential, hospitality, or mixed-use projects.
• Develop project-specific design briefs in alignment with business objectives and market strategy (RFP’s).
• Benchmark projects against leading market trends to ensure competitive positioning and future-proofing.
• Manage the interior design scope from concept to completion, ensuring seamless integration with architectural and engineering disciplines.
• Ensure sustainability, wellness, and ESG considerations are embedded into project designs.
• Coordinate with external interior design consultants, FF&E vendors, and contractors to deliver design intent.
• Review and approve design documentation, material selections, finishes, and mock-ups.
• Conduct regular site visits to verify design implementation and provide directions to resolve on-site challenges.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Serve as the main point of contact for all interior design-related matters with internal stakeholders and external consultants.
• Work closely with development managers, architects, cost consultants, and contractors to align design direction with project objectives.
• Facilitate workshops and design review meetings with consultants, operators (if applicable), and internal departments to gather requirements and align expectations.
• Provide technical guidance and support to the project delivery team.

Design Governance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure design proposals adhere to brand, quality, and functional standards.
• Validate compliance with building codes, local regulations, and sustainability requirements.
• Drive design consistency and excellence across all touchpoints.
• Establish and implement design quality control procedures

Procurement & Cost Alignment

• Support the procurement team with FF&E and material specifications and vendor evaluations.
• Align material selections with project budgets while maintaining design integrity.
• Participate in value engineering sessions to optimize cost without compromising design quality.
• Align design solutions with financial feasibility and business plans.
• Contribute to cost management strategies and ensure design efficiency.
• Identify and mitigate design-related risks across all project stages.
• Manage as much as possible the design budget for each project

Innovation & Trends

• Stay updated with emerging design trends, materials, technologies, and sustainability practices.
• Recommend design innovations that enhance user experience, functionality, and aesthetic appeal

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate project records, including design briefs, schedules, review comments, and approvals.
• Prepare and present progress reports and design presentations to senior leadership and stakeholders

Job Context:

Works within the Design & Build framework of the real estate development company, contributing to both the design phase and the construction phase of projects. This role requires balancing creativity with practical design implementation, managing project constraints (such as budget, time, and material availability), and ensuring design consistency across a diverse range of projects.

The position works closely with internal teams including architects, Development, Marketing, project managers, construction teams, and procurement, as well as with external consultants and contractors

Required skills to be successful:

Job-specific skills:

• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Experience in managing external design consultants.
• High attention to detail and ability to work independently.
• Strategic thinker with a strong understanding of interior design principles.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to influence without authority.

What equips you for the role:

Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s degree in interior design or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Prior experience in a real estate development or design & build environment is strongly preferred.
• Proven experience in a client-side role managing design processed from concept to completion.
• Proven experience in retail design more specifically and a focus on large scale projects.  

                                                       

Minimum Experience:

15+ years of experience in interior design, with a strong portfolio in residential, commercial, or hospitality projects and at least 5 years in a client/developer-side design management role.

Familiarity with design standards, codes and practices.

• LEED, WELL, or other sustainability-related accreditation.
• Proficiency in design software: AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong understanding of FF&E, materials, finishes, and space planning.
• Familiarity with local codes, sustainability standards, and regulatory requirements
• Experience working with hotel operators, luxury brands, or retail tenants is a plus.

About Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate
The real estate development and operations arm of Al-Futtaim, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate is responsible for a multi-billion-dollar portfolio across MENA. With high-quality residential, business, retail, tourism, educational and healthcare developments, the master developer caters to the diverse needs of cities and communities in the region. From origination, conception, development, sales, procurement and construction of mega-projects and the leasing, operation and management of these projects after completion, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE) has been developing and managing owned landbanks, unlocking the economic potential of the region and contributing to future development for more than 40 years. 
Our focus is to enable and invest in meaningful relationships to make our properties the best places to live and work, build additional products and services and enable partnerships to create true value to our customers throughout their entire experience with us.
AFGRE is responsible for master planning of all projects in its portfolio, including two large scale mixed use destinations: Dubai Festival City and Cairo Festival City.