Design & Technical Lead – Interior Fit-Out

Role Purpose

To lead and manage the design process for commercial interior fit-out projects, from concept review and design development through technical coordination, construction documentation, and implementation.

The Design Manager will ensure that all design information is technically sound, fully coordinated, buildable, and delivered in accordance with project requirements and deadlines.

Working closely with clients, consultants, subcontractors, procurement, project management, and site teams, the role requires a combination of technical expertise, leadership, strong organizational skills, and effective communication.

The successful candidate must be both a capable team leader and a hands-on technical professional who can support the team directly, investigate complex details, and resolve design and construction challenges when required.

Key Responsibilities

1. Design Management and Development

• Lead the development of client concepts into coordinated technical designs and construction documentation.
• Review design information, identify gaps and inconsistencies, and establish the required design deliverables.
• Ensure design intent is maintained throughout the development and implementation process.
• Manage design revisions, deliverables, and submissions in line with project requirements.

1. Technical Design and Buildability

• Review architectural and interior design drawings, details, specifications, and material selections.
• Ensure designs are technically feasible, coordinated, and suitable for construction.
• Resolve design interfaces involving MEP, lighting, joinery, glazing, metalwork, finishes, and specialist installations.
• Provide hands-on technical support to designers and review complex details when required.
• Review subcontractor shop drawings, material proposals, and technical submissions to ensure compliance with the approved design.

1. Coordination and Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate design activities with clients, consultants, subcontractors, suppliers, procurement, project managers, and site teams.
• Lead design coordination meetings and ensure that decisions, responsibilities, and deadlines are clearly established.
• Identify design risks and resolve coordination issues proactively.
• Communicate technical matters clearly and professionally to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

1. Planning and Organisation

• Prepare and manage design deliverable schedules and submission trackers.
• Monitor progress against deadlines and ensure outstanding information is followed up.
• Manage competing priorities across multiple projects.
• Maintain effective document control and ensure that the latest approved information is issued to the relevant teams.
• Identify potential delays and communicate their implications early.

1. Procurement and Construction Support

• Coordinate design approvals, material selections, specifications, and technical information with procurement requirements.
• Identify long-lead items and ensure that design decisions are made in time to support the project programme.
• Support project teams in resolving technical queries and site-related design issues.
• Evaluate proposed alternatives and changes for their impact on design intent, buildability, cost, and programme.
• Assist in assessing additional design requirements arising from client or project changes.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Architecture, Architecture, or Interior Design with a strong technical fit-out background.
• Approximately 8–12 years of relevant experience, including substantial commercial interior fit-out experience.
• Proven track record in F&B, retail, hospitality, or commercial workplace projects.
• Strong knowledge of construction detailing, materials, finishes, joinery, and multidisciplinary coordination.
• Excellent AutoCAD skills; Revit and other design coordination tools are advantageous.
• Experience working with fit-out contractors or design-and-build companies is strongly preferred.
• Excellent English communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Required Competencies

• Strong technical and construction knowledge.
• Excellent planning, organisation, and multitasking abilities.
• A proactive, solution-oriented approach.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and quality control.
• Confidence in leading meetings and managing client relationships.
• Ability to work independently while supporting and developing the wider team.
• Willingness to remain hands-on and personally contribute to technical problem-solving when required.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of the relationship between design, procurement, cost, and programme.

Pay: AED7,500.00 - AED36,000.00 per month

Work Location: In person