Senior Design ManagerSenior Technical Design ManagerHead of DesignDesign Team LeadSenior Lead Designer
Work Type
Full time
Location preference
On-site
Location:
Jebel Ali Hills, Dubai, UAEDUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Open to relocation:
Yes
Minimum Desired Compensation
د.إ540000/yr
Important to me
Career advancementFlexible work hoursHealthcare benefitsWorking remotely optionWork-life balanceCompany culturePersonal development programmesPaid time offTeam building / company retreatsPaid sick leave
13
Years of experience
5
years of post-secondary education
6
Certificate
Accomplished Design Leader specialising in concept-to-completion design leadership and creative direction within hospitality and branded residence design. Delivered innovative design solutions through expertise in adaptive reuse, heritage interiors, and technical delivery, while successfully managing teams of 20 to 30 professionals. Focused on translating client visions into tangible outcomes and fostering collaboration to achieve project goals within budgetary constraints.
Work history
ID Design Manager & Digital Implementation Lead
3 Years 5 Months
KEO International Consultants | Dubai, UAE | 2023.06 - Current
Led digital design team standards, workflows, and QA/QC review processes across disciplines.
Introduced automated quality control using BIM data extraction for fewer document errors.
Established studio design and BIM standards, including centralised resource library processes.
Led interior design on high-rise residential and hotel towers through completion.
Led project teams of 20 to 30 people across multiple parallel projects.
Coordinated with architects and MEP through model coordination and clash detection.
Acted as design guardian on site for hotel and villa mock-ups.
Resolved recurring project issues by analysing root causes and restoring delivery schedules.
Applied cost-saving measures and sustainable design practices to improve project efficiency.
Mentored junior and mid-level staff using automated training and assessment materials.
Supported bids and wrote commercial proposals to secure project opportunities.
Contributed to global resourcing planning for programme and budget staffing needs.
Supported client presentations and maintained client relationships aligned to project objectives.
Worked with Autodesk on starter packs for digital designers and technicians.
Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, ensured relevance in all design initiatives undertaken by the team.
Streamlined workflow processes, boosted productivity within the design team.
Senior Interior Designer & BIM Lead
2 Years 3 Months
Studio International Consultants | Dubai, UAE | 2021.02 - 2023.05
Led and completed 9 projects across hospitality, commercial, and residential sectors.
Delivered interior design across concept, schematic, and construction phases.
Managed a 14-person engineering team and mentored junior designers.
Prepared BIM execution plans, linked models, and coordinated disciplines.
Secured repeat business through timely, within-budget delivery for recurring clients.
Collaborated with contractors and suppliers, then inspected completed work.
Produced cost-of-completion estimates, timelines, and coordinated vendor sourcing.
Supported company growth by meeting annual revenue targets through acquisition.
Previously Studio International Engineering Consultants
Led creative brainstorming sessions to generate unique concepts.
Managed projects from concept to completion for successful implementation of design plans.
Senior Project Designer
1 Year 4 Months
CitySpace LLC | UAE | 2019.10 - 2021.02
Led design-and-build fit-outs for corporate clients through end-to-end interior delivery.
Designed offices for Nutanix BCLP, PCFC, and DEWA HQ projects.
Reviewed designers’ work, providing feedback and delegating design tasks to ensure project alignment with client expectations.
Translated client requirements into design concepts and communicated them to clients.
Managed high-volume workload, delivering 2 projects weekly and 1 every 2 weeks to meet client deadlines.
Maintained quality standards by releasing only approved work to clients.
Developed lasting client relationships with BCLP, Nutanix, and PCFC through effective communication and project delivery.
Project Architect
2 Years 2 Months
Meta Fina DMCC | Dubai, UAE | 2017.08 - 2019.10
Delivered Zenia Beauty Lounge in Dubai as an adaptive reuse conversion project.
Developed detailed office and commercial designs in India using Archicad BIM, enhancing project clarity and stakeholder alignment.
Coordinated with building services engineers, construction managers, and quantity surveyors to resolve construction issues and maintain project timelines through site and client meetings.
Facilitated smooth delivery and execution by promptly addressing data exchange and RFIs, ensuring seamless progress from concept to execution.
Created detailed shop drawings using Archicad BIM and other CAD applications for construction projects.
Prepared planning permission applications with government departments, wrote and presented reports, proposals and contracts, and specified project requirements.
Contributed to a design competition submission for Palm Exotjca in Watamu, Kenya.
Interior Designer & BIM Lead (Consultant)
NORR Group International Consultancy | Dubai, UAE | 2019.01 - 2019.01
Directed technical and digital implementation of interior design scope, ensuring alignment with project specifications.
Coordinated interior design teams across unit typologies and amenities, integrating trade interfaces for cohesive project execution.
Delivered guest room designs that brought the client's vision to life; the tower is recognised as the world's tallest hotel-only skyscraper.
Returned to Norr as a consultant for Ciel Dubai Marina delivery oversight.
Assisted senior architects in planning and designing complex structures.
Produced detailed Revit drawings and design proposals, enhancing visual communication for client presentations.
Generated 3D models of design plans, facilitating clearer project visualisation and stakeholder engagement.
Negotiated with contractors, conducted site visits, and documented progress to ensure project alignment with design intent.
Ensured adherence to budget constraints whilst managing construction projects.
BIM Engineer - Architecture and Structure
8 Months
NORR Group International Consultancy | Dubai, UAE | 2016.08 - 2017.04
Worked with Design Directors and project teams from concept design through design development and final production drawings in Revit.
Assisted in creating BIM execution plans that facilitated project delivery and alignment with stakeholder expectations.
Prepared and updated design documentation for UAE authority submission and approval, ensuring compliance with UAE Building Regulations and international codes.
Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to resolve technical issues ahead of submission.
Led digital transformation projects that streamlined workflows and improved collaboration.
Developed space and occupancy plans, along with complex furniture layouts, to optimise functionality and aesthetics of office spaces.
Presented visual concepts to clients during meetings, ensuring clarity and alignment with client expectations.
Prepared cost estimates, timelines, and BOQs, coordinating with clients on furniture and interior requirements to ensure alignment with project goals.
Presented design concepts to clients, facilitating discussions to achieve timely approvals.
Compiled comprehensive style guides for maintaining brand consistency.
Programmed space requirements from schematic design to construction document phase and installation.
Developed cost estimates, providing transparency in budget matters to clients at every stage of the project.
Technical Designer
8 Months
I-Fashion Marketing Co. | 2015.07 - 2016.03
Created working drawings in Revit and AutoCAD, conducted site inspections, coordinated bidding documents and supplier communications.
Resolved technical issues promptly to maintain workflow continuity.
Streamlined processes for better project delivery.
Contributed to brainstorming sessions by sharing ideas and insights.
Design Architect (Freelance)
4 Months
Quezon City | 2015.07 - 2015.11
Managed residential and community projects in Quezon City, enhancing local development and fostering community engagement.
Worked on residential projects, creating aesthetically pleasing and functional spaces.
Developed custom interior layouts, enhancing end-user experience.
Streamlined project timelines for better efficiency, working in collaboration with other architects.
Design Architect / Project Architect
1 Year 3 Months
Uno Manila Contracting Co. | 2014.03 - 2015.06
Created BIM design drawings from schematic design to tender documents, coordinating with engineering disciplines and researching materials and finishes to ensure project alignment and quality.
CAD Operator / 3D Modeler and Renderer
7 Months
Arch. Gilbert Acain | 2013.06 - 2014.01
Streamlined design process by implementing new CAD software.
Validated designs against industry standards, ensuring compliance.
Managed complex projects, resulting in timely delivery.
Contributed to design projects at Villegas-Roxas Consultants and G.R. Flancia & Associates, enhancing project outcomes through collaboration and technical expertise.
Member, Philippine Institute of Architects, 2014 – Present
Member, United Architects of the Philippines, 2014 – Present
Member, AIA Middle East
Member, Society of Engineers Dubai
Data Science Training, 2022
Revit Architecture Training, 2014
3ds Max, 2014
ISO 19650 - Certified 2025
Timeline
ID Design Manager & Digital Implementation Lead
KEO International Consultants
2023.06 - CurrentRead More
Senior Interior Designer & BIM Lead
Studio International Consultants
2021.02 - 2023.05Read More
Senior Project Designer
CitySpace LLC
2019.10 - 2021.02Read More
Interior Designer & BIM Lead (Consultant)
NORR Group International Consultancy
2019.01 - 2019.01Read More
Project Architect
Meta Fina DMCC
2017.08 - 2019.10Read More
Junior Architect
Dubai Consultants LLC
2017.05 - 2017.07Read More
BIM Engineer - Architecture and Structure
NORR Group International Consultancy
2016.08 - 2017.04Read More
Architectural and Interior Designer
BAFCO Trading LLC
2016.04 - 2016.08Read More
Technical Designer
I-Fashion Marketing Co.
2015.07 - 2016.03Read More
Design Architect (Freelance)
2015.07 - 2015.11Read More
Design Architect / Project Architect
Uno Manila Contracting Co.
2014.03 - 2015.06Read More
CAD Operator / 3D Modeler and Renderer
Arch. Gilbert Acain
2013.06 - 2014.01Read More
University of Santo Tomas
Bachelor of Science from Architecture
2014.01Read More
Work availability
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Notable Projects
Damac Bay 2 (Roberto Cavalli Residences), Dubai Harbour, UAE – Three luxury towers, 24 unit typologies (14 luxury, 10 super-luxury), now under construction. As KEO’s Interior Design Lead, I took Damac’s pre-concept through final concept and schematic design to IFC, strengthening feasibility with KEO’s engineers. I developed marketing materials, elevated layouts, visuals and materials, and coordinated all three towers across landscape, infrastructure, architecture and engineering. I expressed the Cavalli brand within guidelines, minimizing delays, led design, delivery and resourcing, and personally QA/QC’d every package. I still support site supervision.
Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah, Riyadh, KSA – 5-star adaptive-reuse heritage hotel: 134 keys (106 rooms, 28 suites incl. Mesbah duplexes and Seffah rooms) in two-storey Najdi buildings of mud-brick, exposed timber and Athel wood, evoking a 300-year-old village near UNESCO’s At-Turaif. Client: Diriyah Company; operator: Marriott. As Studio International’s Lead Technical Designer, I took over the concept, developed 2D plans through schematic design and multidisciplinary coordination, and built VR-ready BIM models and finishes so the client could present to end users. My materials honored the site’s heritage and ruins while meeting operator and UNESCO requirements.
Ciel Dubai Marina, Vignette Collection by IHG, UAE – The world’s tallest hotel-only skyscraper: 82 floors, 377 m, 1,000+ rooms and suites. Developer: The First Group; operator: IHG. As Interior Designer and BIM Lead at NORR Group, I led technical and digital delivery and coordination of interior design, from typologies and amenities to space planning, materials and all trades affecting interiors. I value-engineered materials and FF&E and kept typologies deliberately few, limiting bespoke millwork deviations, and delivered guest rooms that realized the client’s vision to their satisfaction.
<ul><li>Roles and Responsibilities</li><li>Hiring and team building</li><li>Managing team’s career progression and performance reviews</li><li>Managing Performance improvement plan and firing</li><li>Mentoring</li><li>Product roadmap planning and execution</li><li>Accountability of the entire delivery execution including the risk mitigation planning.</li><li>Stakeholder management</li><li>Adhering to Apple Privacy and Security Guidelines for platform</li><li>Design and implementation of new architectures and solutions to manage all online services for AdXchange in Apple Ads.</li><li>Design and implementation of new architectures and solutions deliver Budget experimentation in Apple Ads</li><li>Design and implementation of new architectures and solutions to manage data for Ad Platform.</li><li>Creating and maintaining all the data and analytics and revenue pipelines for Ad Platforms</li><li>Driving the solution for data ingestions and data processing across Ad platform</li><li>Defining the Strategy for data governance and data access</li><li>Collaboration with business to deliver relevant data and insight for our strategy and decisions.</li><li>Managing storage, processing, copy/synchronization etc. appropriate to scale</li><li>Enabling machine learning and algorithm groups by proving them right frameworks and data</li><li>Advancing team’s design methodology and quality programming practices and evangelize those techniques across Ad platform.</li><li>Deliveries</li><li>Setup 8+ member team to design and deliver Budget Allocation and Budget experimentation.</li><li>Leading Ad Delivery services team, responsible for delivering various capabilities like query understanding, targeting, fraud etc.</li><li>Delivered and Lead Design for observability for budget, and data platform in Ad platform.</li><li>Setup 11+ members high performing team to handle various business needs such as analytics and micro services for Display Advertising as well as Data Platform</li><li>Instrumental in driving Data Platform throughout the SDLC from inception, design, development, testing and deployment.</li><li>Instilled a strong team culture of high-quality delivery by constructive feedback, cross collaboration, focus and motivation.</li><li>Delivered Realtime and Batch Platform with various integrations</li><li>Delivered new DIP design for Data Platform</li><li>Delivered design of all the components of Data processing platform</li><li>Transitioned Display data work to India seamlessly and delivered many critical business impacting features and organizational security initiatives.</li><li>Closely worked with various stakeholders to understand the requirements which resulted into efficient remote work culture.</li><li>Seamless Display execution and set up best practices for 24X7 production on-call.</li><li>Tools and Technologies</li><li>AWS, S3, Kafka, Spark, Hadoop, EMR, Hive, Scoop, Flume, Cassandra, Airflow, Oozie, Gobblin, Schema Store, Icloud, Grafana, Kubernetes, Vertica, Alation, snowflake, druid, Iceberg, Java, Scala, IntelliJ, Oracle, MySql, Git, RIO, Spinnaker, Elastic cache, Grpc, Agile.</li></ul> at Apple - Adplatform<ul><li>Roles and Responsibilities</li><li>Hiring and team building</li><li>Managing team’s career progression and performance reviews</li><li>Managing Performance improvement plan and firing</li><li>Mentoring</li><li>Product roadmap planning and execution</li><li>Accountability of the entire delivery execution including the risk mitigation planning.</li><li>Stakeholder management</li><li>Adhering to Apple Privacy and Security Guidelines for platform</li><li>Design and implementation of new architectures and solutions to manage all online services for AdXchange in Apple Ads.</li><li>Design and implementation of new architectures and solutions deliver Budget experimentation in Apple Ads</li><li>Design and implementation of new architectures and solutions to manage data for Ad Platform.</li><li>Creating and maintaining all the data and analytics and revenue pipelines for Ad Platforms</li><li>Driving the solution for data ingestions and data processing across Ad platform</li><li>Defining the Strategy for data governance and data access</li><li>Collaboration with business to deliver relevant data and insight for our strategy and decisions.</li><li>Managing storage, processing, copy/synchronization etc. appropriate to scale</li><li>Enabling machine learning and algorithm groups by proving them right frameworks and data</li><li>Advancing team’s design methodology and quality programming practices and evangelize those techniques across Ad platform.</li><li>Deliveries</li><li>Setup 8+ member team to design and deliver Budget Allocation and Budget experimentation.</li><li>Leading Ad Delivery services team, responsible for delivering various capabilities like query understanding, targeting, fraud etc.</li><li>Delivered and Lead Design for observability for budget, and data platform in Ad platform.</li><li>Setup 11+ members high performing team to handle various business needs such as analytics and micro services for Display Advertising as well as Data Platform</li><li>Instrumental in driving Data Platform throughout the SDLC from inception, design, development, testing and deployment.</li><li>Instilled a strong team culture of high-quality delivery by constructive feedback, cross collaboration, focus and motivation.</li><li>Delivered Realtime and Batch Platform with various integrations</li><li>Delivered new DIP design for Data Platform</li><li>Delivered design of all the components of Data processing platform</li><li>Transitioned Display data work to India seamlessly and delivered many critical business impacting features and organizational security initiatives.</li><li>Closely worked with various stakeholders to understand the requirements which resulted into efficient remote work culture.</li><li>Seamless Display execution and set up best practices for 24X7 production on-call.</li><li>Tools and Technologies</li><li>AWS, S3, Kafka, Spark, Hadoop, EMR, Hive, Scoop, Flume, Cassandra, Airflow, Oozie, Gobblin, Schema Store, Icloud, Grafana, Kubernetes, Vertica, Alation, snowflake, druid, Iceberg, Java, Scala, IntelliJ, Oracle, MySql, Git, RIO, Spinnaker, Elastic cache, Grpc, Agile.</li></ul> at Apple - Adplatform
<ul><li>Design and develop impactful training materials to enhance sales performance and leadership capabilities across the Sales L&D Department.</li><li>Lead the redesign of the Best in Call Onboarding 90-Day Program to improve knowledge retention and reduce turnover—introducing a blended learning model with digital simulations, gamified assessments, and diverse practice methods (eLearning, roleplay, hot seats).</li><li>Develop simulations using Symtrain and design user training for performance coaching tools including Observe.AI and Salesforce Omni Supervisor as part of a new Leadership Development Program for Team Supervisors.</li><li>Collaborate cross-functionally with department leaders to inform training strategy and gather feedback for continuous improvement.</li><li>Create and manage a departmental newsletter to promote L&D initiatives, training opportunities, and team achievements.</li><li>Strengthen interdepartmental collaboration to unify training deliverables and reinforce a cohesive L&D voice.</li></ul> at National Debt Relief<ul><li>Design and develop impactful training materials to enhance sales performance and leadership capabilities across the Sales L&D Department.</li><li>Lead the redesign of the Best in Call Onboarding 90-Day Program to improve knowledge retention and reduce turnover—introducing a blended learning model with digital simulations, gamified assessments, and diverse practice methods (eLearning, roleplay, hot seats).</li><li>Develop simulations using Symtrain and design user training for performance coaching tools including Observe.AI and Salesforce Omni Supervisor as part of a new Leadership Development Program for Team Supervisors.</li><li>Collaborate cross-functionally with department leaders to inform training strategy and gather feedback for continuous improvement.</li><li>Create and manage a departmental newsletter to promote L&D initiatives, training opportunities, and team achievements.</li><li>Strengthen interdepartmental collaboration to unify training deliverables and reinforce a cohesive L&D voice.</li></ul> at National Debt Relief