Executive Director – Design Management

Executive Director – Design Management Job Overview

This Executive Director – Design Management opportunity is presented for job seekers looking for Executive Director – Design Management Jobs. The role is associated with Abu Dhabi and the stated employer is Aldar Properties. The information below has been reorganized into a practical format so candidates can review the position, responsibilities and stated requirements more easily.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.
• The successful applicant 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.
• 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.
• Manage escalations where Design Management and Development Management cannot agree on brief alignment.
• 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.

Qualifications and Skills

• 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.
• The successful applicant 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.
• Direct the design response to commercial briefs, ensuring proposals meet target customer, price point, unit mix, key features, timeline and budget requirements.
• Establish shared design knowledge frameworks and cross-vertical synergies.
• 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.

What Job Seekers Should Know

Applicants should compare their experience and skills with the requirements stated for this Executive Director – Design Management position. Important details such as salary, benefits, working arrangements and eligibility are included only when they are provided in the available job information. Candidates should verify any changing employment details before applying.

Application Information

Review the complete requirements and prepare an accurate CV before applying. The application button on this page takes you to the application destination associated with this vacancy.