Job Description

Associate Director - Design Management - AECOM Middle East - Dubai, UAE
Position Overview
This Associate Director - Design Management role leads multiple complex design portfolios across Dubai, ensuring strategic alignment, design excellence, and operational efficiency. The position combines high-level leadership, client engagement, and multidisciplinary coordination to drive high-impact design outcomes across diverse sectors.
Job Details
Country: UAE
City: Dubai
Industry: Architecture & Planning
Function: Design
Salary: 28000-34000 monthly (Market estimated)
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multiple design projects or portfolios, ensuring alignment with client goals and company standards
• Provide strategic oversight to Project Managers, ensuring compliance with protocols and reporting requirements
• Drive process improvements to enhance efficiency, quality, and competitive advantage
• Mentor, manage, and evaluate multidisciplinary project teams, promoting continuous development
• Advise leadership on client strategies, market opportunities, and business growth areas
• Make autonomous decisions aligned with company policies and long-term objectives
• Coordinate internal and external design teams to ensure integrated design delivery
• Conduct peer reviews, technical presentations, and contribute to design innovation
• Resolve complex design and project challenges with minimal direction
• Lead development of advanced methodologies and procedures for novel design assignments
• Serve as subject matter expert and strengthen AECOM's market positioning
• Act as Approved Lead Verifier, ensuring quality assurance and compliance
• Manage key client accounts or sub-functions as required
• Lead major annual proposals supporting business development strategies
• Engage with clients to build strong relationships and identify opportunities

Ideal Profile

• Minimum 15 years of post-graduate experience in design leadership
• Degree in Architecture or related discipline; professional membership required
• Strong leadership background managing complex, multi-project design portfolios
• Advanced knowledge of design management best practices, tools, and processes
• Excellent client-facing skills with strong business development capability
• Proven ability to mentor teams and manage cross-functional coordination
• Strong analytical, managerial, and decision-making abilities
• Excellent communication, reporting, and technical presentation skills

Skills Set

• Strategic design management
• Multidisciplinary coordination
• Leadership and team development
• Client engagement and business development
• Portfolio governance and quality assurance
• Advanced problem-solving and innovation
• Proposal leadership and bid management

Why Join Us

• Lead high-profile design portfolios that shape Dubai's skyline and infrastructure
• Work with global design and engineering leaders driving industry innovation
• Grow professionally through AECOM's award-winning training and global exposure
• Join a collaborative and future-focused environment committed to excellence

About the Company
AECOM Middle East is a leading engineering, design, and infrastructure consultancy based in Dubai, delivering innovative, sustainable solutions across transportation, buildings, water, environment, and energy. With global reach and strong regional expertise, AECOM helps clients deliver world-class urban and infrastructure developments across the GCC.
Job Title Associate Director - Design Management - AECOM Middle East - Dubai, UAE
Associate Director - Design Management - AECOM Middle East - Dubai, UAE
Position Overview
This Associate Director - Design Management role leads multiple complex design portfolios across Dubai, ensuring strategic alignment, design excellence, and operational efficiency. The position combines high-level leadership, client engagement, and multidisciplinary coordination to drive high-impact design outcomes across diverse sectors.
Job Details
Country: UAE
City: Dubai
Industry: Architecture & Planning
Function: Design
Salary: 28000-34000 monthly (Market estimated)
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multiple design projects or portfolios, ensuring alignment with client goals and company standards
• Provide strategic oversight to Project Managers, ensuring compliance with protocols and reporting requirements
• Drive process improvements to enhance efficiency, quality, and competitive advantage
• Mentor, manage, and evaluate multidisciplinary project teams, promoting continuous development
• Advise leadership on client strategies, market opportunities, and business growth areas
• Make autonomous decisions aligned with company policies and long-term objectives
• Coordinate internal and external design teams to ensure integrated design delivery
• Conduct peer reviews, technical presentations, and contribute to design innovation
• Resolve complex design and project challenges with minimal direction
• Lead development of advanced methodologies and procedures for novel design assignments
• Serve as subject matter expert and strengthen AECOM's market positioning
• Act as Approved Lead Verifier, ensuring quality assurance and compliance
• Manage key client accounts or sub-functions as required
• Lead major annual proposals supporting business development strategies
• Engage with clients to build strong relationships and identify opportunities

Ideal Profile

• Minimum 15 years of post-graduate experience in design leadership
• Degree in Architecture or related discipline; professional membership required
• Strong leadership background managing complex, multi-project design portfolios
• Advanced knowledge of design management best practices, tools, and processes
• Excellent client-facing skills with strong business development capability
• Proven ability to mentor teams and manage cross-functional coordination
• Strong analytical, managerial, and decision-making abilities
• Excellent communication, reporting, and technical presentation skills

Skills Set

• Strategic design management
• Multidisciplinary coordination
• Leadership and team development
• Client engagement and business development
• Portfolio governance and quality assurance
• Advanced problem-solving and innovation
• Proposal leadership and bid management

Why Join Us

• Lead high-profile design portfolios that shape Dubai's skyline and infrastructure
• Work with global design and engineering leaders driving industry innovation
• Grow professionally through AECOM's award-winning training and global exposure
• Join a collaborative and future-focused environment committed to excellence

About the Company
AECOM Middle East is a leading engineering, design, and infrastructure consultancy based in Dubai, delivering innovative, sustainable solutions across transportation, buildings, water, environment, and energy. With global reach and strong regional expertise, AECOM helps clients deliver world-class urban and infrastructure developments across the GCC.
Post Details
Job Start Date
Salary from 28000.00
Salary to 34000.00
Number of Vacancies 1
Location -
Location City Dubai
Desired Candidate's Profile
Gender No Preference
Nationality
Candidate Current Location

Skills Required