Design Manager

The Role
Role Overview We are seeking an experienced Design Manager for a temporary project-based assignment (9–11 months) with our client, based in DIP. The successful candidate will lead and coordinate the full design lifecycle of modular building projects, ensuring technical excellence, compliance, efficiency, and timely delivery. Key Responsibilities1. Design Leadership & Strategy • Lead the design development and coordination of modular building projects from concept through IFC and handover. • Define and implement project-specific design strategies, execution plans, and DfMA principles. • Establish and maintain design workflows, approval routes, and information management processes. • Champion buildability, standardisation, and efficiency within all design solutions. 2. Governance & Design Management • Prepare and maintain Design Responsibility Matrices, Design Deliverable Trackers, and Design Risk Registers. • Manage design programmes to ensure timely issuance of coordinated information aligned with project milestones. • Oversee design change control, impact assessments, and formal approvals. • Ensure full compliance with building regulations, statutory approvals, employer’s requirements, specifications, and sustainability objectives. 3. Coordination & Technical Oversight • Coordinate architects, structural, civil, MEP, and specialist designers, manufacturers, and supply-chain partners. • Review drawings, BIM models, and material submissions, providing structured technical feedback. • Manage design information through the company’s Common Data Environment (CDE). • Lead clash detection, model coordination, and constructability reviews. 4. Stakeholder & Client Interface • Act as the primary design interface with clients, consultants, and internal stakeholders. • Prepare and present design proposals, technical reports, and programme updates. • Prepare, review, and present tender and construction design packages. • Lead and chair design meetings, workshops, buildability reviews, and healthy start sessions. • Manage comment resolution and design review close-out documentation. 5. Delivery & Construction Support • Support manufacturing and construction teams during production and site installation. • Resolve design-related issues efficiently to avoid programme or cost impacts. • Drive continuous improvement through lessons learned and post-project reviews. 6. People & Team Leadership • Lead, mentor, and develop multi-disciplinary design and engineering teams. • Foster a collaborative, high-performance, and inclusive working culture. • Contribute to resource planning and workload management.

Requirements
Qualifications & Experience • Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a related discipline. • Minimum 5+ years of experience in design coordination/management within modular, off-site, or construction environments. • Proven experience managing multi-disciplinary design teams. • Strong understanding of modular construction, DfMA, and prefabrication workflows. • Proficiency in BIM and design software (Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks, or similar). • Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills. • Demonstrated programme, risk, and change-management capability. Preferred Skills & Attributes • Knowledge of sustainability and low-carbon design in modular construction. • Experience with Common Data Environments (CDE) and BIM Execution Plans. • Familiarity with lean construction and digital delivery methodologies. • Strong commercial awareness and understanding of contract deliverables. • Proactive, solution-focused, and detail-oriented mindset

About the company
Welcome to Exclusive Talent Human Resource Consultancies Co., a leading Human Resource Agency based in the heart of Dubai. Specializing in staffing solutions across the Middle East, our agency excels in providing flexible temporary to permanent placement options tailored to diverse organizational needs. Covering major markets including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, Exclusive Talent offers a broad network of highly skilled professionals across various industries. Utilizing advanced AI technology, our agency efficiently matches candidates with the precise skills and qualifications required for each role. With expertise in recruiting at all levelsfrom entry-level positions to mid-management and C-suite rolesExclusive Talent delivers comprehensive staffing solutions that support both immediate and long-term business objectives. Whether for temporary, hybrid, or permanent staffing needs, our agency ensures that the right talent is available to meet evolving demands and drive success.