--- title: 'Executive Director - Design Management at Aldar Properties PJSC' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/executive-director-design-management-aldar-properties-pjsc-abu-dhabi-cb72y8e1rbcj' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-13' --- # Executive Director - Design Management at Aldar Properties PJSC - **Company:** Aldar Properties PJSC - **Location:** Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-08-21 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/aldar/e46e3456-ab02-4e39-ba68-34b05a00aee4 ## Job description ## About the Role Aldar is seeking an Executive Director – Design Management to lead and govern the Design Management function across three product verticals: Upper & Luxury Residential; Commercial, Retail & Hospitality; and National Housing, Education & Civic. You will own the translation of commercial development briefs into high-quality, market-differentiated design outcomes, balancing design ambition with commercial and programme constraints, and build a world-class in-house design management capability serving D-Sell, D-Hold and Government clients. ## Key Responsibilities Design Leadership & Strategy - Establish the design vision, standards and governance frameworks across all three Design Management verticals and Aldar's full asset portfolio. - Direct the design response to commercial briefs, ensuring proposals meet target customer, price point, unit mix, key features, timeline and budget requirements. - Define design standards, material palettes and innovation opportunities for each product typology. - Chair design quality reviews at every stage gate, with authority to approve or escalate to the GDS Committee. Client & Stakeholder Engagement - Act as the primary executive interface between GDS Design Management and the three client groups, maintaining strong relationships with CDOs and Development Management Directors. - Present design recommendations and stage-gate outcomes to the GDS Committee, GCEO and BU CEO. - Manage escalations where Design Management and Development Management cannot agree on brief alignment. Design Consistency & Innovation - Drive design consistency within each typology while fostering innovation with Design Innovation and Interior Design teams. - Establish shared design knowledge frameworks and cross-vertical synergies. - Oversee integration of AI-assisted design tools and modular design thinking across teams. People & Capability - Lead, develop and retain a high-performing multi-disciplinary design management team across all verticals. - Define performance goals, succession plans and capability roadmaps aligned to GDS strategy. - Identify capability gaps and drive attraction of top-tier design talent. Required Qualifications and Experience - Minimum 16 years' experience in architectural design management or urban development, including at least 6 years in a senior executive leadership role. - Minimum 6 years managing large, multi-disciplinary design teams at senior manager level or above. - Proven experience leading design across multiple asset classes (residential, commercial, hospitality, civic) in the GCC or comparable markets. - Master's degree in architecture, Urban Design or a related discipline. ## Preferred Qualifications - Professional registration (RIBA, AIA or equivalent). - LEED AP or equivalent sustainability credential. ## Skills - Design management across residential, commercial, hospitality and civic typologies. - Ability to read and respond to commercial development briefs with financially grounded design proposals. - Executive communication and presentation skills at C-suite and board level. - Proficiency in BIM, design management platforms and AI-assisted design and review tools. - Stakeholder management and conflict resolution across multiple client groups. ## About Aldar Properties PJSC ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Aldar Properties PJSC is the leading real estate developer, manager, and investor in the UAE, master‑planning communities and managing a diversified portfolio across residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, and education. - **Entity Type**: Public (ticker: ALDAR on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange) - **Headquarters**: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - **Founded**: 2005 (IPO year; exact founding date not publicly available) - **Founders**: Not publicly available ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Real estate development, investment, property management, education, hospitality, and retail. - **Target customers**: B2B (corporate tenants, government entities, institutional investors), B2C (residential buyers and tenants), and B2G (government housing projects). - **Mission or purpose statement**: Not explicitly stated in the provided sources, but the company emphasizes creating integrated, sustainable communities and delivering long‑term value to stakeholders while supporting the UAE’s Net Zero Strategic Initiative. ## Products & Services - **Aldar Development** – Master developer of large‑scale residential communities (e.g., Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Al Raha, Reem Island) and commercial projects. Also manages a ~65 million sqm land bank and delivers government housing and infrastructure projects (AED 45 billion backlog). - **Aldar Investment** – Platform that owns and manages recurring‑income assets: - **Investment Properties** – Grade‑A offices (HQ, ADGM Square), retail malls (Yas Mall, Al Jimi Mall), logistics, and residential for lease. - **Hospitality & Leisure** – Hotels and resorts (e.g., Nurai Island, DoubleTree by Hilton, Rixos Bab Al Bahr) and golf clubs. - **Aldar Education** – Leading private education provider in Abu Dhabi, operating schools and academies (e.g., Cranleigh Bahrain). - **Aldar Estates** – The region’s largest integrated property and facilities management platform (merged with Eltizam Asset Management). - **Aldar Ventures** – Incubates new business opportunities and innovation in areas like sustainability and digital. - **Aldar Egypt** – Development platform focused on mixed‑use communities in Egypt (via SODIC). - **International** – London Square (UK) and other overseas ventures. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed in the provided sources. - **Key Metric**: Annual revenue of AED 33.8 billion (latest fiscal year). - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Government of Abu Dhabi (major shareholder), First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB – via acquisition of FAB Properties), Dubai Holding (strategic partnership for Dubai market), Abu Dhabi Housing Authority. - **Growth Signals**: - Headcount grew 21.1% year‑over‑year to 1,680 employees (LinkedIn data). - Group development sales reached AED 27.9 billion, with AED 16 billion from overseas and expat buyers. - Expanded into Dubai (launched Haven), Ras Al Khaimah (Nikki Beach Residences), Bahrain (Cranleigh Bahrain), and the UK (London Square). - Launched The Sustainable City on Yas Island and a Net Zero decarbonisation plan. - Increased investments in Aldar Education (AED 350 million) and mall redevelopment (AED 500 million). - Achieved a 21% improvement in Net Promoter Score (NPS) compared to 2022. ## Competitive Advantages - **Scale and diversification**: One of the largest real estate players in the region with a balanced portfolio of development, investment, education, hospitality, and property management. - **Government backing**: Strong ties to the Abu Dhabi government provide access to prime land, capital, and major infrastructure mandates. - **Integrated operating model**: The merger of development and asset management under one roof allows end‑to‑end value creation from master‑planning to property management. - **Geographic expansion**: Successfully entered Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Egypt, and the UK, reducing reliance on a single market. - **Sustainability leadership**: Early adoption of net‑zero commitments and a real estate climate pledge differentiate the brand. ## Strategic Focus - **Geographic diversification**: Further penetration of the Dubai market, continued growth in Egypt and the UK. - **Sustainability**: Implementing the Net Zero comprehensive plan, investing in retrofits, and launching new sustainable communities. - **Digital transformation**: Using AI for risk management, customer journey, and data analytics; piloting sustainability‑focused start‑ups. - **Customer experience**: Enhancing CRM, digital SPAs, and loyalty programmes to improve NPS. - **Talent and Emiratisation**: Onboarding 661 Emiratis through the NAFIS programme and maintaining a “Great Place to Work” certification. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Aldar is recognised as a “Great Place to Work” and actively invests in employee development and well‑being. - **Growth trajectory**: Rapid expansion across multiple geographies and sectors offers opportunities for internal mobility and career advancement. - **Diverse workforce**: Staff from 43 countries, with a strong push for local talent (NAFIS programme). - **Work location**: On‑site roles in Abu Dhabi (with some positions in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah); the company’s presence in Egypt and the UK may offer international assignments. - **Notable perks**: Not explicitly listed, but the company’s scale and government affiliation suggest competitive compensation and benefits common in UAE real estate. - **Engineering/tech culture**: Investment in AI, data projects, and digital ventures indicates a growing tech focus within the organisation. ## Sources 1. [Aldar Careers Page](https://jobs.lever.co/aldar) 2. [Aldar Investor Relations](https://ir.aldar.com/) 3. [Aldar LinkedIn Profile](https://linkedin.com/company/aldar_properties) 4. [Aldar Corporate Website](https://www.aldar.com/en/explore-aldar/about-aldar/story) ## Other roles at Aldar Properties PJSC - [Vice President - Commercials](https://feeny.ai/job/vice-president-commercials-aldar-properties-pjsc-abu-dhabi-w489v0zzgyeb) — Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - [Sales Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/sales-manager-aldar-properties-pjsc-dubai-mcbk8beag4vf) — Dubai, United Arab Emirates - [Vice President - International Sales](https://feeny.ai/job/vice-president-international-sales-aldar-properties-pjsc-dubai-fyjf0qbmj9fn) — Dubai, United Arab Emirates - [Executive Assistant - Investment Management (Emirati Talent only)](https://feeny.ai/job/executive-assistant-investment-management-emirati-talent-only-aldar-properties-gtf7441y4m1z) — Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - [Associate – Asset Management (Residential/Commercial)](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-asset-management-residential-commercial-aldar-properties-pjsc-abu-6csgw1ecakh5) — Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - [Assistant Vice President – Financial Planning & Analysis](https://feeny.ai/job/assistant-vice-president-financial-planning-analysis-aldar-properties-pjsc-abu-hzw26s8wctk4) — Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - [Assistant Vice President - Wealth Management](https://feeny.ai/job/assistant-vice-president-wealth-management-aldar-properties-pjsc-dubai-wpnftfe6naq4) — Dubai, United Arab Emirates - [Senior Accountant - Financial Reporting](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-accountant-financial-reporting-aldar-properties-pjsc-abu-dhabi-ykszwvmhcnk9) — Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - [Associate Director – Commercial Assurance](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-director-commercial-assurance-aldar-properties-pjsc-abu-dhabi-0td1t2009y80) — Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - [Associate Director - D Sell Portfolio Management](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-director-d-sell-portfolio-management-aldar-properties-pjsc-abu-dhabi-xwsb5p2yayj4) — Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates