Design Project Manager

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Design Project Manager to join our dynamic team in our Head Office in Abu Dhabi, UAE. In this role, you will be responsible for leading and coordinating the delivery of multidisciplinary design projects within the firm. This position focuses on project management and client/stakeholder communication. The DPM ensures that design teams deliver projects in line with contractual obligations, timelines, budgets, and quality standards.Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership and Coordination:Act as the main interface between the design department and the project stakeholders to align with departmental and project objectives. Lead project aspects related to scope, stages, durations, deliverables, and other design requirements, and make management decisions that ensure the success of the projects and actively support the operation. Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the project team, encouraging feedback and innovation.Contract & Scope Management:Review and interpret project contracts, ensuring scope, time, quality obligations, and other terms and conditions are clearly understood and met. Ensure that all project deliverables meet the contractual requirements. Manage sub-consultant contracts and ensure compliance with agreed deliverables and quality standards. Control project changes and variations, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and proper documentation. Provide leadership and support during the project closeout phase, including client handover, documentation, and lessons learned sessions.Time & Schedule Control:Develop and manage project schedules with input from Section Managers. Monitor progress against baselines; adjust plans as needed to stay on schedule, ensuring alignment with contractual requirements. Prepare and justify any schedule changes with clear impact statements on milestones, resources, and deliverables.Budget & Financial Oversight:Manage and track project budgets, ensuring expenditures remain within approved limits.Coordinate with accounting/admin teams to ensure timely invoicing, payment collection, and alignment of working hours, and freelancers’/sub-consultants’ fees with the project design fee. Provide input to proposals to ensure budget alignment.Client & Stakeholder Communication:Serve as the primary point of contact for clients and external stakeholders on project management matters Provide regular project updates and status reports to clients, senior management, and regulatory authorities. Manage client expectations, address concerns promptly, and oversee the change-order process. Facilitate interdisciplinary coordination meetings and escalate risks/issues when needed. Quality Assurance & Risk Management:Ensure the implementation of quality control measures across all design disciplines Identify project risks related to scope, schedule, and budget; develop mitigation strategies. Maintain organized project documentation, approvals, and records. Conduct lessons-learned reviews and promote best practices across the department.Interdepartmental & Business Support:Support the Strategy, Marketing, Business Development, and Bidding teams as needed. Collaborate with other departments (Construction, Procurement, etc.) to ensure seamless project execution. Stay abreast of industry trends, regulations, and technology advancements to integrate innovative approaches. REQUIREMENTSEducational Background:Bachelor's or Master’s degree in degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Project Management. Relevant Experience:Minimum 10 years in design project management with architectural or multidisciplinary design firms. Minimum 5 years in a similar managerial role in the UAE. Demonstrated record of managing contract scope, schedule, and budget control rather than purely technical delivery. Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate with multiple stakeholders. Software Proficiency:Project Management Tools: Microsoft Project, Primavera, or equivalent. Office Suite: MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for documentation, reports, and presentations. Familiarity with BIM environments (e.g., Revit) and collaboration platforms is a plus (for coordination/oversight, not production). Design Expertise:Experience on multi-disciplinary design projects.Familiar with industry-standards. Proficient in preparing reports and calculations.Communication Skills:Strong client-facing skills with the ability to clearly articulate project scope, progress, and issues. Skilled in negotiating, influencing, and resolving conflicts. Excellent written and verbal English for reports, contracts, and presentations. Ability to dotted-line relationships with technical leads and Section Managers. Benefits:Competitive salary package.Health insurance and annual leave as per UAE labor law.End-of-service benefits as per UAE labor law.Professional development opportunities.Work in a collaborative and innovative environment.Please note that only candidates meeting all specifications will be contacted.