Design Manager - Masterplanning
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Key skills for this role
About the Role
White Space Recruitment seeks a Design Manager to lead large-scale masterplanning and urban design projects in Dubai. The role oversees design quality, technical rigour, and client relationships.
Key Skills for This Role
Responsibilities
- Oversee design teams from vision/pre concept masterplanning phase through to CMP/DMP/FMP stages
- Ensure design outputs are inventive, commercially sound, and consistent with project goals
- Uphold rigorous standards of design quality and technical accuracy across all deliverables
- Build and manage project programmes, deliverable schedules, and resource plans
- Coordinate multidisciplinary consultant teams spanning masterplanning, architecture, landscape, infrastructure, transport, environmental, and engineering disciplines
- Track project progress, timelines, and budget performance
- Flag project risks early and put mitigation measures in place
- Serve as main point of contact for clients on design and contractual matters
- Run workshops, presentations, and design review sessions
- Develop and sustain strong working relationships with clients, developers, government bodies, and other key stakeholders
- Present masterplanning proposals with clarity and conviction
- Ensure full compliance with local planning regulations, development controls, and authority requirements
Requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Urban Design, Architecture, Urban Planning, or related field
- 8–12+ years relevant experience in masterplanning and urban design
- Track record leading large scale mixed use, residential, hospitality, commercial, or destination development projects
- UAE/GCC project experience strongly preferred
- Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, GIS, and presentation tools
- Working knowledge of planning regulations, authority approval pathways, and development frameworks
Full Job Posting
Job Overview
- The Design Manager will drive and oversee the delivery of large scale masterplanning, urban design, and mixed use development projects across the UAE and wider international markets
- The role calls for a solid design foundation, strategic vision, and demonstrated leadership to steer multidisciplinary teams through every stage of a project's development
- The Design Manager is accountable for design quality, technical rigour, project efficiency, and effective client relationships
Roles & Responsibilities
- Oversee design teams from the vision/pre concept masterplanning phase through to CMP/DMP/FMP stages
- Ensure design outputs are inventive, commercially sound, and consistent with project goals
- Uphold rigorous standards of design quality and technical accuracy across all deliverables
- Build and manage project programmes, deliverable schedules, and resource plans
- Coordinate multidisciplinary consultant teams spanning masterplanning, architecture, landscape, infrastructure, transport, environmental, and engineering disciplines
- Track project progress, timelines, and budget performance
- Flag project risks early and put mitigation measures in place
- Serve as the main point of contact for clients on design and contractual matters
- Run workshops, presentations, and design review sessions
- Develop and sustain strong working relationships with clients, developers, government bodies, and other key stakeholders
- Present masterplanning proposals with clarity and conviction
- Ensure full compliance with local planning regulations, development controls, and authority requirements
Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Urban Design, Architecture, Urban Planning, or a related field
- 8–12+ years' relevant experience in masterplanning and urban design
- Track record leading large scale mixed use, residential, hospitality, commercial, or destination development projects
- UAE/GCC project experience strongly preferred
- Solid grasp of masterplanning methodologies, automation processes, and urban design principles
- Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, GIS, and presentation tools
- Working knowledge of planning regulations, authority approval pathways, and development frameworks
- Familiar with sustainability principles, smart city thinking, and placemaking strategy
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