Carter Murray is excited to be working with a prominent luxury design and manufacturing client here in the UAE.
As Head of Design & Systems, you will drive the evolution of the design function from a collection of specialist teams into a highly integrated, scalable, and systems-driven organisation. The successful candidate will lead the development of design standards, product innovation, operational processes, and digital transformation initiatives that support future growth across the UAE and international markets.
This role requires a strategic leader who can balance design excellence, manufacturing realities, customer experience, and technology integration while building high-performing teams across multiple locations.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute the long-term design and systems strategy aligned with business growth objectives.
- Build a scalable, design-led organisation that reduces reliance on individual expertise and creates repeatable operational excellence.
- Lead organisational transformation across design, product development, and technical functions.
- Drive innovation and continuous improvement initiatives across the customer journey.
Design & Product Development
- Lead the development and evolution of product architecture, modular systems, and new product lines.
- Translate customer insights and market trends into commercially viable products and solutions.
- Oversee research, development, prototyping, and product innovation activities.
- Ensure design quality, consistency, and manufacturability across all product categories.
Systems & Digital Transformation
- Establish and standardise design processes, workflows, and quality controls.
- Drive the integration of digital design tools, automation technologies, and design software platforms.
- Partner with technology and operational teams to enhance efficiency and scalability.
- Develop frameworks that connect design, manufacturing, installation, and after-sales operations.
Team Leadership
- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team of 25+ professionals across multiple locations.
- Create a culture focused on collaboration, accountability, innovation, and agility.
- Build organisational capability through succession planning, coaching, and talent development.
- Foster strong cross-functional relationships with manufacturing, sales, operations, and executive leadership teams.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Essential Experience
- Significant (8+ years) senior leadership experience within furniture, kitchens, cabinetry, wardrobes, interiors, or product-driven retail environments.
- Experience leading large multidisciplinary design and technical teams.
- Demonstrated success delivering organisational transformation and business growth initiatives.
- Strong understanding of the relationship between design, manufacturing, installation, and customer experience.
- Proven ability to build scalable systems, processes, and operating models.
Preferred Background
- Experience in: Major furniture, interiors, cabinetry, kitchen or design-led manufacturing businesses
- Strategic thinking and systems leadership
- Product architecture and product development expertise
- Digital transformation and process optimisation
- Design operations management
- Organisational development and talent leadership
- Strong commercial awareness
- Change management and stakeholder engagement
- Agility and growth mindset
