Senior Design Manager

Description

The role covers the entire project lifecycle — from concept and design development through all authority approvals, construction, and project commissioning — ensuring full compliance with UAE and Abu Dhabi regulations, quality standards, and contractual obligations.

The Senior Design Manager is responsible for organizing, leading, and ensuring the effective implementation of all design and technical coordination activities within the General Contractor’s scope of responsibility.

• Provide continuous technical and design support to the construction site teams.
• Maintain expert knowledge of electronic approval and document submission systems (TAMM, ADM e-Permits, Civil Defense Portal, Estidama , etc.).
• Ensure that all approved and stamped drawings are available on-site prior to commencement of works.
• Ensure that all documentation released for construction is reviewed, approved, and compliant with applicable authority and project requirements.
• Lead and supervise subordinate engineers, architects, and draftsmen involved in design coordination and documentation.
• Plan and control the overall design schedule, project milestones, and deliverable timelines.
• Participate in coordination meetings to resolve design, interface, or site-related issues.
• Manage the sequence, interdependencies, and timing of all document submissions and approvals, from concept design to completion certificate.
• Accountable for timely organization and acquisition of all required authority approvals from project initiation to completion.
• Oversee the workflow of design and construction documentation within the company’s document management system.
• Maintain liaison with authority representatives to resolve technical or procedural issues.
• Develop and approve the Design Brief in coordination with the Client and consultants.
• Personally responsible for the accuracy, completeness, and compliance of design and construction documentation submitted by the General Contractor.
• Ensure traceability, version control, and proper archiving of all submissions, approvals, and correspondence.
• Assign tasks, plan workloads, and monitor performance to ensure efficiency and high-quality output.
• Verify that all design deliverables meet contractual, technical, and regulatory requirements before release.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance on authority procedures and documentation practices.
• Organize, monitor, and manage the full process of obtaining all necessary permits, NOCs, and approvals from relevant authorities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
• Organize and control the issuance, signing, and release of all “Issued for Construction” documentation for the construction phase.
• Supervise the preparation, verification, and approval of design documentation.
• Maintain compliance with internal Quality Management System (QMS) and ISO standards.
• Ensures that all documents are properly signed, stamped, and uploaded in accordance with UAE authority standards.
• Coordinate all design disciplines: architectural, structural, civil, MEP, ELV, and process engineering, ensuring integration and technical consistency.
• Supervise uploading, review, resubmission, and closure of documents in authority portals, ensuring compliance with structure and naming conventions.
• Report regularly to the Project Manager on design progress, authority approvals, and document readiness.
• Coordinate and control the receipt of permits, NOCs, clearances, and completion approvals required for project handover.
• Supervise the preparation, verification, and submission of as-built documentation for authority approval.

Requirements

2.2 Authority Approvals and Regulatory Coordination

2.4 Document Control and Quality Assurance

2.1 General Management and Design Coordination

2.5 Leadership and Team Management

• At least 5 years of management experience within a General Contracting company related to licensed General Contractor activities.
• Strong knowledge of UAE Building Codes, ADM, Civil Defense, Estidama, EAD, and KEZAD regulations.
• Deep understanding of authority requirements, document structures, and submission hierarchies.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, MS Project, and Microsoft Office.
• At least 5 years of experience in the UAE with authority approvals and electronic documentation systems;
• Minimum 15 years of professional experience in design management and engineering coordination within construction projects, including:
• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Architecture, or Construction Management from an accredited university.
• English fluency (Upper-Intermediate or higher); Arabic is an advantage.
• Valid registration with the UAE Society of Engineers – mandatory.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and coordinating design, documentation, and construction workflows.

Benefits

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance