Head of Innovation & Design

Head of Innovation & Design

• Advise the Chief Development Officer on design-related matters impacting the implementation of the company’s strategy.
• Ensure design strategies align with business objectives, innovation goals, and long-term development plans.
• Manage design budget preparation and contribute to the overall budgeting process.
• Monitor design-related expenditures to ensure cost efficiency and value optimisation.
• Represent the Section before senior leadership, internal departments, and external stakeholders.
• Provide technical leadership across development and asset management projects, ensuring consistency in design principles and standards.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the organisation’s business structure, operations, and departmental functions to support strategic decision-making.
• Lead the development and implementation of internal policies, systems, processes, and procedures within the Section.
• Identify learning and development needs of team members and support succession planning and competency development.
• Support nationalisation initiatives and contribute to the development of UAE national talent.
• Conduct continuous research into innovative materials, systems, and products that enhance sustainability, comfort, and quality.
• Prepare innovative concept designs aligned with the company’s vision and brand positioning.
• Support Development teams during project feasibility and opportunity appraisal by clarifying design principles and standards.
• Integrate innovation, sustainability, and smart-living concepts where commercially viable.
• Lead the preparation of consultant design briefs and scopes of work.
• Develop and maintain design standards across different market tiers and project types.
• Review schematic and conceptual consultant proposals against approved design principles and standards.
• Recommend and manage the appointment and engagement of design consultants.
• Ensure timely delivery of architectural drawings and consultant deliverables.
• Approve designs and oversee design change management, ensuring formal approval of variations.
• Contribute to project and portfolio risk registers, ensuring effective identification and mitigation of design-related risks.
• Propose and implement systems, applications, and tools that support innovation and design management.
• Ensure project teams effectively utilise approved systems and technologies.
• Ensure all designs, works, and processes comply with legal, regulatory, and internal requirements.
• Provide guidance to team members on compliance-related matters and industry standards.

• Emirati National (required)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture (required)
• Master’s Degree in Engineering, Architecture, or related field (preferred)
• 9+ years of experience in the development industry, including at least 4 years in a managerial role

• Strategic Management
• Engineering Practices
• Value Engineering
• Building Codes & Standards
• Real Estate & Property Management
• Budgeting & Cost Control
• Project Management
• Legal, Regulatory & Compliance Knowledge