Associate Director - Design Management

About the Role

The project portfolio comprises projects directly managed by the client team or delivered by leading third‑party developers under the client’s leadership, covering new construction, master planning schemes and executive fit‑out works. The design director will be integrated into the client’s team, providing senior strategic design leadership across the portfolio, acting as a trusted advisor to shape design quality, governance and delivery outcomes while aligning with Abu Dhabi’s broader development vision, standards and long‑term objectives. At the portfolio level, the design director is responsible for setting the overall design direction, drafting comprehensive design briefs and critically reviewing submissions from signature architects to ensure alignment with client objectives. The role regularly presents design concepts and progress to senior management, leads multidisciplinary teams and external consultants, and maintains oversight of design performance across multiple projects, ensuring solutions are of the highest quality, buildable, sustainable and capable of delivering enduring value. • Provide portfolio‑wide strategic design leadership, setting clear design vision, principles and quality benchmarks aligned with client requirements. • Act as design authority across projects, ensuring consistency, excellence and alignment with client standards and governance. • Influence early‑stage decision‑making to support programme, cost, operational and long‑term asset value objectives. • Monitor design progress, performance and key milestones, escalating challenges and recommending corrective actions. • Support the client in managing interfaces between projects, programmes, developers and stakeholders. • Review, challenge and critique design submissions at all stages, offering expert guidance on functionality, aesthetics, compliance and buildability. • Ensure effective integration of design with construction, procurement and operational requirements. • Lead, mentor and develop high‑performing teams, fostering collaboration, professional development and design excellence. • Serve as senior interface with client leadership, government stakeholders, developers and delivery partners.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸design leadership
• ▸design authority
• ▸design review
• ▸progress monitoring
• ▸stakeholder liaison
• ▸team mentoring

What You Bring

Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey. • Significant experience at design director or equivalent senior leadership level on complex, high‑value portfolios. • Degree in architecture with relevant professional accreditation or membership. • Architectural background with experience collaborating alongside renowned architects. • Proven track record of providing strategic design leadership within client‑side, PMC or signature architect environments. • Deep understanding of design governance, management systems, statutory approval processes and multidisciplinary coordination. • Strong capability in design review, risk management and decision‑making across all project lifecycle stages. • Experience working with senior stakeholders, with confidence and credibility to influence outcomes. • Demonstrated commitment to quality, safety, well‑being, sustainability and long‑term asset value. • Strong interpersonal skills to lead, mentor and inspire teams within a secondment environment.

Requirements

• ▸design director
• ▸architecture degree
• ▸professional accreditation
• ▸design governance
• ▸risk management
• ▸stakeholder influence

Benefits

Mace is an inclusive employer that welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds and is open to part‑time, flexible and hybrid working arrangements where suitable.

Work Environment

Office Full-Time