At Arada, we create communities that inspire healthier, happier and more meaningful lives. Through innovative developments, exceptional customer experiences and a commitment to sustainability, we are shaping places where people can live, work and thrive.

Joining Arada means becoming part of a collaborative, ambitious and forward-thinking team dedicated to delivering excellence across every aspect of our business.

Role Purpose:

The Design Manager will manage the architectural design delivery of assigned projects within ARADA’s Syria portfolio, overseeing projects from concept development through detailed design, IFC documentation, and construction support.

The role will act as the key design custodian, ensuring that design intent, quality standards, commercial objectives, programme requirements, and development strategies are successfully integrated throughout the project lifecycle.

Working closely with Development, Project Management, Commercial, Construction, and external design consultants, the role will provide strong design governance, technical leadership, and stakeholder coordination to deliver high-quality developments aligned with ARADA’s standards.

Key Responsibilities

Design Leadership & Design Management

• Lead and manage the complete architectural design lifecycle from concept stage through detailed design, tender, IFC documentation, and construction support.

• Act as ARADA’s representative and design guardian, ensuring the approved design vision, architectural quality, and brand standards are maintained throughout all project phases.

• Provide design direction and technical guidance to architectural consultants, ensuring alignment with project objectives, investment case, programme, and delivery requirements.

• Review and challenge design proposals to ensure solutions are innovative, practical, commercially viable, and aligned with ARADA’s development aspirations.

• Establish and maintain robust design management processes, standards, and reporting frameworks across projects.

• Coordinate architectural design with the structural, MEP, civil/infrastructure, landscape and interior-design disciplines to ensure a fully integrated, coordinated and clash-free design.

Consultant Management & Stakeholder Coordination

• Manage relationships with international and local architectural consultants, ensuring effective delivery of design packages and project milestones.

• Lead consultant procurement activities including scope definition, technical evaluations, fee negotiations, appointments, performance management, and contract administration.

• Monitor consultant performance, deliverables, design progress, and compliance with agreed timelines.

• Chair design reviews, workshops, coordination meetings, and technical discussions with internal and external stakeholders.

• Ensure effective communication between Development, Design, Project Management, Commercial, Construction, Procurement, Infrastructure, landscape, Sales & marketing and operational teams.

Design Quality, Compliance & Technical Governance

• Review architectural submissions at all design stages to ensure quality, coordination, completeness, and constructability.

• Ensure designs comply with ARADA standards, project requirements, Syria Building Code, local authority regulations (e.g., the relevant municipality/Amanah, MOMRAH, Civil Defence and utility providers), planning requirements, and international best practices.

• Maintain strong knowledge of Syria’s architectural approval processes, authority requirements, and regulatory frameworks.

• Ensure compliance with Fire & Life Safety requirements, accessibility standards, sustainability objectives, and technical guidelines.

• Drive design quality assurance reviews, technical audits, value engineering exercises, and design optimization initiatives.

Cost, Programme & Commercial Alignment

• Ensure design solutions remain aligned with approved budgets, investment objectives, cost plans, and development strategies.

• Work closely with Commercial and Development teams to balance design ambition with cost, programme, and delivery constraints.

• Identify opportunities for design efficiencies, value engineering, and optimization without compromising quality or user experience.

• Monitor design risks, dependencies, and critical milestones, providing regular reporting and recommendations to leadership.

Tendering & Procurement Support

• Support consultant, contractor, and specialist package procurement strategies in collaboration with Commercial and Procurement teams.

• Prepare and manage RFP processes, technical submissions, consultant evaluations, and recommendation reports.

• Review tender documentation and ensure design packages are complete, coordinated, and aligned with project requirements.

• Provide technical input during contractor selection and appointment processes.

Construction Phase Design Support

• Provide design leadership and technical support throughout construction delivery.

• Review and approve RFIs, shop drawings, material submissions, mock-ups, and technical proposals to ensure alignment with approved design intent.

• Work closely with site teams, consultants, and contractors to resolve design challenges efficiently.

• Monitor design-related changes during construction, ensuring quality, cost, and programme impacts are properly assessed and controlled.

• Participate in site reviews and design inspections where required.

Design Processes & Governance

• Contribute to the development and implementation of Design Management Plans, Project Execution Plans, and design governance frameworks.

• Ensure consistent application of design procedures, reporting standards, and approval workflows across ARADA projects.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the Design Department by introducing best practices, processes, and industry benchmarks.

• Promote collaboration, accountability, and excellence within project design teams.

Qualifications & Professional Membership

• Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from a recognised university.

• Master’s Degree in Architecture or related discipline preferred.

• Professional membership with recognised bodies such as Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), American Institute of Architects (AIA), or equivalent preferred.

• Additional qualifications in BIM, project management, or design management would be advantageous.

Experience & Skills

• 12+ years of experience in architectural design management, preferably within a leading developer, master developer, or international consultancy environment.

• Proven experience delivering large-scale mixed-use, residential, hospitality, retail, commercial, lifestyle and master-planned developments.

• Strong experience managing architectural consultants through all project stages from concept to construction delivery.

• Previous experience working in the Middle East, with Syria experience strongly preferred.

• Strong understanding of Syria development regulations, authority approvals, permitting processes, and local design requirements, including the Syria Building Code.

• Experience working with international design consultants and multidisciplinary project teams.

• Strong understanding of BIM processes, coordination workflows, and digital design delivery.

• Proficiency in design software including Revit, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and related architectural tools.

• Commercially aware with the ability to manage design decisions against cost, programme, and delivery objectives.

• Strong leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder management capabilities.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; Arabic language skills would be advantageous.

• Highly organised, detail-oriented, proactive, and comfortable operating within a fast-paced developer-led environment.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Design coordination: integrating architecture with engineering, infrastructure, landscape and interiors.

• Communication: clear written and verbal communication with internal teams, consultants and authorities.

• Stakeholder management: managing expectations across Development, Commercial, Projects, Procurement and external parties.

• Problem solving: resolving technical and coordination issues pragmatically and quickly.

• Decision making: sound, timely design and technical decisions balancing quality, cost and programme.

• Time management: managing multiple design packages and deadlines concurrently.

• Commercial awareness: understanding cost, value and return implications of design decisions.

• Negotiation: negotiating scope, fees and technical positions with consultants and contractors.

• Team collaboration: working effectively within multidisciplinary, developer-led teams.

• Report writing and presentation: preparing clear design reports, dashboards and presentations for leadership.

Using GenAI in Your Application Process

To support a fair and consistent experience for all candidates, we ask that assessments and interviews are completed independently and without assistance from generative AI tools. This ensures we understand your strengths, your thinking, and how you approach real situations.

Why join Arada?

At Arada, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to projects that transform communities while working alongside talented professionals in a culture that values innovation, collaboration and continuous growth. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Arada is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and make employment decisions based on merit, experience and business needs.