Arada | Interior Design Director

About the Role
The Interior Design Director leads the interior design function, directing the design of a broad portfolio including residential, branded residential, hospitality, retail, workplace, amenity, community, and mixed-use developments. The role involves owning the interior design brief, setting standards and quality benchmarks, and overseeing interior design consultants and specialist operators. This position is accountable for the interior design outcomes at every project stage, ensuring alignment with the company's development strategy while balancing design excellence with program, budget, constructability, operator and brand standards, and customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the interior design vision, creative strategy, and quality benchmark across the project portfolio, ensuring a consistent level of design excellence while allowing for a distinctive identity for each project.
• Lead and manage the interior design process across multiple concurrent projects through all design stages, including brief, concept, schematic design (SD), design development (DD), tender, IFC, construction, and handover.
• Establish and issue interior design briefs, standards, room data sheets, specification benchmarks, and project requirements for appointed consultants.
• Manage, direct, and hold accountable interior design consultants, specialist consultants, operators, contractors, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Critically review and challenge design submissions for quality, technical resolution, compliance, and constructability.
• Lead design reviews, technical coordination, value engineering, optimization, and risk management.
• Protect design intent through tender, procurement, and construction phases and ensure all deliverables meet established standards.
• Drive decisions that reconcile design excellence with program, budget, operational requirements, sales strategy, and customer expectations.
• Develop the internal interior design management team and provide strategic direction to the design function.
• Represent interior design to leadership, partners, operators, and authorities, ensuring alignment at each decision gate.

Design Management Responsibilities

• Set the design strategy and stage-gate process for each project, including deliverables, design program, review cycles, and approval protocols.
• Prepare and maintain design briefs and standards as reusable assets.
• Manage the interior design program in sync with the development and construction schedule and identify critical-path decisions.
• Coordinate with architecture, engineering, and other disciplines to resolve any conflicts prior to site work.
• Run structured design reviews and maintain comment trackers to ensure all feedback is addressed.
• Lead value engineering efforts and maintain a risk register to identify and mitigate project risks.
• Oversee the design change process, assessing impacts before any approvals.

Interior Design Responsibilities

• Direct the development of interior concepts, spatial strategies, material palettes, lighting designs, and other essential project narratives.
• Translate brand positioning and customer insights into clear briefs and design directions.
• Review consultant designs, ensuring compliance with all standards and requirements.
• Approve material selections based on durability, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Ensure construction documents meet pricing accuracy and facilitate an achievable workflow on-site.

Stakeholder & Team Leadership

• Define consultant scopes and lead the RFP process for both interior and specialist consultants.
• Manage consultant performance, review invoices, and monitor for compliance with scope and fee agreements.
• Collaborate with cost management teams throughout the project lifecycle to ensure financial success.
• Drive value engineering that maintains quality while promoting cost efficiency.
• Report on design status, risks, and decisions to senior management at both the project and portfolio levels.

Required Experience

• Minimum of 15 years in interior design or architecture, preferably in reputable design consultancies or development firms.
• At least 5 years in a developer or client-side capacity with demonstrable accountability for design management.
• Significant experience in senior design leadership roles with a proven record of overseeing numerous concurrent projects.
• Strong background in leading projects through all phases from conception to completion, including effective design review processes and construction support.
• Regional experience within the GCC or UAE is required, with knowledge of local authority approvals and market dynamics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture, or related field; a Master’s Degree is advantageous.
• Formal training in design or project management is a plus.
• Fluency in English is essential; knowledge of Arabic is beneficial.

Technical & Professional Competencies

• Expert understanding of the complete interior design process, from brief through to construction.
• Proficient in space planning, materials, finishes, and interior detailing.
• Strong command of design management tools and process documentation.
• Commercially literate in consultant fees, cost plans, and contract management.
• Proficient in industry-standard software including AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, and MS Office, with a general understanding of BIM coordination.

Desirable Experience

• Experience with branded residences, high-end hotel interiors, and cultural projects is a plus.
• Background in projects featuring luxury residential or resort developments and large-scale community design.

Why Join Us
Joining means contributing to transformative projects while working with talented professionals within a culture that values innovation, collaboration, and personal growth. We foster an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and make a meaningful impact.

Equal Opportunity Statement
We are dedicated to an inclusive and diverse workplace. We welcome all qualified applicants and make hiring decisions based on merit and business needs.