Associate Director - Design

JOB PURPOSE- Accountable for the design management of vertical assets including communities, villas, governmental buildings.- Managing client communication, authorities’ requirements and consultants.ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES- Provide overall design direction on feasibility / test fits.- Provide input and innovative ideas to management.- Manage the creation of client design briefs in conjunction with Development Managers.- Participate in prequalification process and assist and oversee assessments of consultant.- Assist and oversee the Brief and the Scope sections of the RFP.- Manage and approve tender evaluations for technical stage submissions.- Establish and manage the Aldar Design Guidelines.- Oversee, review and approve the Project Implementation Plan for each project.- Oversee and approve the Bidders Recommendation Report.- Participate in all Architectural / vertical / residential, mixed use design presentations and review all design related submittals from concept to final delivery.- Manage the consultant contract in relation to contract implementation, measuring completed work for payments, variation orders etc.- Manage and approve all proposed value engineering options.- Oversee the management design progress against the program.- Review design documentation for the purpose of validating brief / code compliance.- Review and approve all proposed materials, their substitutes and colours.- Ensure adherence to Estidama standards.- Liaise with consultants and ensure that all drawing submittals are in line with Aldar specifications.- Review consultants work submittals against project brief and recommend changes in case of deviation.- Ensure that adequate level of support is provided to project teams during execution and commissioning through design reviews for constructability issues.- Ensure integrity of the approved design is maintained through project delivery and handover, working with project stakeholders to assess, manage and document any design changes- Ensure possible value engineering ideas are identified to cut costs/time and provide recommendations to project teams.- Ensure that all architectural / vertical / residential, mixed use design changes are clearly communicated to DM & related functions to be reflected in the forecasts.- Work closely with Master Planning and Infrastructure teams to ensure design fit with overall plan.- Ensure the issuance of all required government permits and construction licenses.- Carry out weekly and monthly reporting of progress and issues to the line manager.- Work with Stakeholder Management to obtain design NOCs in conjunction with government relations.- Work with Stakeholder Management to obtain Utility/DOT/ADM/ etc NOC’s in order to obtain a Building Permit through the consultants.QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCERELATED YEARS OF EXPERIENCE:Min of 14+ years of experience in real estate architecture or design of residential, mixed use and vertical assets.FIELD OF EXPERIENCE:- Managing the design process.- Ensuring compliance with codes, design brief, PIP & PEP & detailed schedule.- Able to hit deadlines with accurate work submittals from consultants.- Deep exposure to GCC region and adjacent markets preferred.TECHNICAL AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:- Excellent design & masterplanning capabilities.- Excellent leadership skills and ability to delegate and coordinate responsibilities.- Strong conflict resolution/management skills.- Strong team player with ability to balance conflicting priorities and take timely decisions.- Excellent analytical skills.- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, required to present master plans to senior leaders for approval.- Experienced in working with and leading multi-disciplinary teams that include members from Business Planning, Master Planning, Design, Project Management, Procurement and Commercial functions.QUALIFICATION(S): Bachelor degree in engineering, architecture or equivalent is required, and a technical post-graduate degree is preferred.