Job Description

Overview
The Design Manager will play a key leadership role within the Project Management Team, overseeing the design development, coordination, and technical compliance of assigned projects. With over 10 years of professional experience in architectural and engineering design management and a proven track record delivering school projects over the past five years. The ideal candidate will ensure that all design outputs meet project objectives, regulatory requirements, and stakeholder expectations. A strong working knowledge of ADEK (Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge) guidelines, policies, and design criteria is essential to this role.
Your role
Design Leadership & Coordination

• Lead and manage the full design process during the Design & Build phase of works.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams, including architects, engineers, and specialist consultants.
• Ensure design integrity, consistency, and quality across all project stages.

Compliance with ADEK Requirements

• Interpret and apply ADEK regulations, design standards, and educational facility guidelines.
• Review and validate all design submissions to ensure strict compliance with ADEK criteria.
• Liaise with ADEK representatives during design reviews and approval processes.

Project Management Integration

• Work closely with the Project Management Team to align design deliverables with project schedules, budgets, and strategic objectives.
• Provide technical input into procurement strategies, value engineering exercises, and risk assessments.
• Monitor design progress and manage changes to ensure programme adherence.

Stakeholder Management

• Serve as a key point of contact for clients, authorities, and consultant teams on design matters.
• Facilitate design workshops, coordination meetings, and technical presentations.
• Ensure effective communication and timely resolution of design-related issues.

Quality Assurance & Documentation

• Implement design quality control processes and oversee review cycles.
• Prepare, review, and approve design reports, drawings, specifications, and tender documentation.
• Ensure all deliverables meet relevant codes, standards, and best practices.

About you

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a related design discipline; Master's preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in design management within the PMC or consultancy sector.
• Demonstrated experience delivering school or educational facility projects within the last 5 years.
• Strong knowledge of ADEK standards and compliance processes or UK curriculums.
• Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and complex design packages.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.

Rewards & benefits
Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive - at every stage of your life and your career.
This includes:

• Tax-free salary.
• Life insurance coverage.
• Medical insurance.
• Annual leave balance.
• Company gratuity scheme.
• Discretionary bonus program.
• Annual flight contribution.
• Transportation & housing allowances.
• Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, personal health, fitness, and nutrition.

About AtkinsRealis
We're AtkinsRealis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.
Worker Type Employee
Job Type Regular
At AtkinsRealis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.

Skills Required