Senior Design Manager (Interior Design)

About the Role

The portfolio comprises projects either 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 senior design manager (interior design) will be based in the client office, operating at portfolio level to represent the client’s interests while leveraging Mace’s consultancy expertise, leading interior design delivery across assigned projects to ensure quality, compliance, constructability and alignment with strategic objectives. In this role the manager acts as a trusted advisor, interfacing with internal client stakeholders, external consultants and delivery teams to ensure design outcomes support programme goals, budget, schedule and operational requirements. • Drive safe, compliant, high‑quality interior design delivery per Abu Dhabi regulations, HSE standards, and client governance. • Manage the full interior design lifecycle from concept through detailed design and construction support, ensuring coordinated, fit‑for‑purpose outputs. • Act as primary design focal point, overseeing design reviews, approvals, change control and technical compliance. • Represent client interests in interior design matters, providing advice, assurance and recommendations to senior stakeholders. • Coordinate with external designers, consultants, specialist contractors and PMO to ensure alignment and effective decision‑making. • Support collaborative working between design, commercial, planning and construction teams to achieve project outcomes. • Apply and uphold client and Mace design management processes, standards and reporting requirements. • Contribute to continuous improvement, lessons learned and best practice across the portfolio. • Provide technical input on interior design quality, constructability, materials, finishes, FF&E and interface management. • Contribute to project planning, risk management and programme reporting from a design perspective. • Safety first – champion a safe, diverse, inclusive environment and prioritize well‑being. • Create opportunity – foster continuous improvement and inspire people to develop.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸design lifecycle
• ▸design review
• ▸compliance
• ▸constructability
• ▸ff&e
• ▸risk management

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. • Hold a degree in interior design, architecture or a related discipline, with relevant professional accreditation or membership. • Demonstrate strong experience managing interior design delivery on complex commercial, mixed‑use, retail or executive fit‑out projects. • Proven capability working in client‑side, PMC or design consultancy roles, providing independent oversight and assurance. • Exhibit excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, confident engaging with senior client and consultant levels. • Possess solid understanding of design governance, building safety, sustainability principles and Abu Dhabi regulatory requirements. • Client focus – own quality of deliverables, strategic outcomes and build long‑term client relationships.

Requirements

• ▸design degree
• ▸project delivery
• ▸stakeholder management
• ▸design governance
• ▸building safety
• ▸sustainability

Work Environment

Office Full-Time