Executive Director - Design Management
aldar· Group Design Studio
About this role
About the Role
Aldar is seeking an Executive Director – Design Management to lead and govern the Design Management function across three product verticals: Upper & Luxury Residential; Commercial, Retail & Hospitality; and National Housing, Education & Civic. You will own the translation of commercial development briefs into high-quality, market-differentiated design outcomes, balancing design ambition with commercial and programme constraints, and build a world-class in-house design management capability serving D-Sell, D-Hold and Government clients.
Key Responsibilities
Design Leadership & Strategy
- Establish the design vision, standards and governance frameworks across all three Design Management verticals and Aldar's full asset portfolio.
- Direct the design response to commercial briefs, ensuring proposals meet target customer, price point, unit mix, key features, timeline and budget requirements.
- Define design standards, material palettes and innovation opportunities for each product typology.
- Chair design quality reviews at every stage gate, with authority to approve or escalate to the GDS Committee.
Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as the primary executive interface between GDS Design Management and the three client groups, maintaining strong relationships with CDOs and Development Management Directors.
- Present design recommendations and stage-gate outcomes to the GDS Committee, GCEO and BU CEO.
- Manage escalations where Design Management and Development Management cannot agree on brief alignment.
Design Consistency & Innovation
- Drive design consistency within each typology while fostering innovation with Design Innovation and Interior Design teams.
- Establish shared design knowledge frameworks and cross-vertical synergies.
- Oversee integration of AI-assisted design tools and modular design thinking across teams.
People & Capability
- Lead, develop and retain a high-performing multi-disciplinary design management team across all verticals.
- Define performance goals, succession plans and capability roadmaps aligned to GDS strategy.
- Identify capability gaps and drive attraction of top-tier design talent.
Required Qualifications and Experience
- Minimum 16 years' experience in architectural design management or urban development, including at least 6 years in a senior executive leadership role.
- Minimum 6 years managing large, multi-disciplinary design teams at senior manager level or above.
- Proven experience leading design across multiple asset classes (residential, commercial, hospitality, civic) in the GCC or comparable markets.
- Master's degree in architecture, Urban Design or a related discipline.
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional registration (RIBA, AIA or equivalent).
- LEED AP or equivalent sustainability credential.
Skills
- Design management across residential, commercial, hospitality and civic typologies.
- Ability to read and respond to commercial development briefs with financially grounded design proposals.
- Executive communication and presentation skills at C-suite and board level.
- Proficiency in BIM, design management platforms and AI-assisted design and review tools.
- Stakeholder management and conflict resolution across multiple client groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the salary disclosed for the Executive Director - Design Management position at aldar?
The salary for this Executive Director - Design Management role at aldar is not publicly listed. Click "Apply Now" to learn more about the compensation package on their official careers page.
Where is the Executive Director - Design Management position at aldar located?
This Executive Director - Design Management role at aldar is based in Abu Dhabi. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Is the Executive Director - Design Management role at aldar full-time or part-time?
This is listed as a Experienced hires position. It is posted as a Executive Director - Design Management role in the Group Design Studio department at aldar.
Which team or department does the Executive Director - Design Management at aldar belong to?
This Executive Director - Design Management position is part of the Group Design Studio department at aldar. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Executive Director - Design Management position at aldar?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to aldar's official application portal hosted on lever where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Executive Director - Design Management job at aldar posted?
This Executive Director - Design Management position at aldar was posted on Aug 21, 2026. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
Executive Director - Design Management
aldar
You'll be redirected to aldar's official application page on Lever.