Job Purpose
The Design & Technical Manager shall be responsible for leading and managing the complete design and technical delivery process of the project from post-award through construction completion.
The role will act as the primary technical interface between the Contractor, Client, PMC, Operator, Designers, Authorities, and internal project teams to drive closure of design gaps, finalize design intent, and ensure timely release of coordinated and approved deliverables to support programme execution.
Following design finalization, the role shall lead the engineering and technical delivery process including preparation, coordination, submission, review, approval, and issuance of shop drawings, material submittals, samples, mockups, and construction documentation.
The position shall ensure that technical delivery supports programme milestones, procurement strategy, construction sequencing, and sectional handover requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Design Leadership & Client Interface
- Act as the primary technical representative with Client, PMC, Operator, Design Consultants, and Authorities.
- Lead technical workshops to conclude outstanding design gaps, design assumptions, and unresolved interfaces.
- Drive final design sign-off and agreement of design intent.
- Establish decision logs and design closure trackers.
- Ensure alignment between Employer Requirements, operator standards, and project execution requirements.
- Lead technical discussions related to variations and design development.
- Design Management & Coordination
- Lead post-award design development and engineering process.
- Review tender design and identify design gaps, coordination issues, and missing information.
- Ensure full multidisciplinary coordination across:
- Architectural
- Interior Design
- MEP
- Structural
- Specialist systems
- Manage IFC readiness and release strategy.
- Lead design coordination meetings and technical reviews.
- Technical Delivery & Engineering Management
Lead The Technical Team Throughout The Engineering Lifecycle Including
- Shop drawings preparation and management
- Technical submissions and approvals
- Material submissions and approvals
- Sample submissions and approvals
- Mockup strategy and approvals
- Coordination drawings
- Builders work drawings
- Interface management
Ensure all submissions support planned construction sequencing.
- Submission & Approval Management
Develop And Manage
- Drawing register
- Material register
- Sample register
- Technical submittal schedule
- Approval matrix
Ensure all approvals are obtained in accordance with programme requirements.
- Procurement & Construction Support
- Support procurement through technical evaluation of suppliers and subcontractors.
- Ensure technical compliance of procurement packages.
- Coordinate long-lead items with procurement schedule.
- Provide technical support during construction.
- Resolve RFIs and site technical issues.
- Mockups & Quality Management
- Establish project mockup strategy.
- Lead mockup reviews and approvals.
- Ensure approved mockups become benchmark standards.
- Coordinate with QA/QC for technical acceptance.
- Programme & Commercial Integration
- Align technical deliverables with construction milestones.
- Support programme recovery actions.
- Identify technical risks affecting critical path.
- Support variation assessments related to design development.
- Stakeholder Management
Manage And Coordinate With
External
- Client
- PMC
- Operator
- Authorities
- Designers
- Specialist Consultants
Internal
- Project Director
- Project Manager
- Construction Manager
- MEP Manager
- Procurement Team
- Commercial Team
- Planning Team
- QA/QC Team
Authority Matrix
The Role Shall Have Authority To
- Approve internal technical submissions
- Recommend design solutions
- Escalate unresolved design matters
- Direct engineering priorities
- Recommend technical acceptance of subcontractors and suppliers
Qualifications & Experience
Education
- Bachelor's Degree in Architecture / Engineering / Interior Design
Experience
- Minimum 12–15 years experience in Design Management / Technical Delivery
- Minimum 5 years in luxury hospitality / hotel refurbishment projects
- Experience in Design & Build contracts
- Experience managing:
- Client interface
- Technical approvals
- Shop drawings
- Material approvals
- Mockups
- Multi-disciplinary coordination
Preferred Experience
- Luxury hospitality / ultra-high-end interiors
- Live building refurbishment
- Burj Khalifa / Emaar / premium hospitality standards
- Authority coordination in UAE
