Fit Design Manager - SAR Western-led Firm

The Fit Out Design Manager will lead the design and technical delivery process from post-award through to construction completion, ensuring that design development, technical coordination and approved deliverables are aligned with the project programme, procurement strategy, construction sequencing and handover requirements.

Acting as the primary technical interface between the Contractor, Client, PMC, Operator, Designers, Authorities and internal project teams, the role will drive the resolution of design gaps, finalisation of design intent and timely release of coordinated information to support construction.

Following design finalisation, the Design Manager will lead the engineering and technical delivery process, overseeing the preparation, coordination, submission, review, approval and issuance of shop drawings, material submittals, samples, mock-ups and construction documentation.

Candidate Requirements:

MANDATORY — FIT-OUT CONTRACTING

EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design or a related discipline.
• Minimum 12–15 years of experience in Design Management / Technical Delivery.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in luxury mixed-use, commercial/corporate, hospitality or hotel refurbishment projects
  .
• Mandatory proven experience working for a fit-out contractor
  , with direct responsibility for fit-out contracting and technical delivery.
• Experience in Design & Build contracts and post-award design development.
• Proven experience managing client interfaces, technical approvals, shop drawings, material approvals, mock-ups and multidisciplinary coordination.
• Strong understanding of programme-driven technical delivery, approval cycles, procurement support and construction sequencing.
• Ability to lead technical workshops, resolve RFIs, close design gaps and coordinate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Role

Description:

• Act as the primary technical representative and point of contact with the Client, PMC, Operator, Design Consultants and Authorities.
• Lead technical workshops to resolve and close outstanding design gaps, design assumptions and unresolved interfaces.
• Drive final design sign-off and secure agreement on design intent.
• Establish, maintain and manage decision logs and design closure trackers.
• Ensure alignment between employer requirements, operator standards and project execution requirements.
• Lead technical discussions and coordination relating to variations and ongoing design development.

Design Management & Coordination

• Lead all post-award design development and engineering processes.
• Review tender design documentation and identify design gaps, coordination issues and missing information.
• Ensure complete multidisciplinary coordination across architectural, interior design, MEP, structural and specialist systems.
• Manage IFC readiness and the associated information release strategy.
• Lead design coordination meetings, technical reviews and multidisciplinary coordination processes.

Technical Delivery & Engineering Management

• Lead the technical team throughout the complete engineering lifecycle, including shop drawings, technical submissions, material submissions, samples, mockups, coordination drawings, builders' work drawings and interface management.
• Ensure all technical submissions and deliverables are aligned with planned construction sequencing and key programme milestones.
• Coordinate the preparation, review, approval and issuance of all technical documentation required to support project delivery.

Submission & Approval Management

• Develop, implement and manage the drawing register, material register, sample register, technical submittal schedule and approval matrix.
• Ensure all required technical approvals are secured in accordance with project programme…