mselect is looking to hire a Design Manager for a construction client in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. Candidates must have a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience within the construction or architectural industries. Fluency in English, Kurdish and Arabic is a must; proficiency in Turkish is a plus.
Job Summary
The Design Manager (Architecture) is responsible for overseeing architectural design activities across assigned projects, ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality design outputs that meet company standards and project requirements. The role supports design planning, consultant coordination, design reviews, and multidisciplinary integration throughout the project lifecycle, from concept design through construction documentation and site execution support. The Design Manager works closely with internal teams, including MEP, structural, BIM, QS, and construction, as well as external consultants, to ensure design solutions are functional, compliant, cost-effective, and buildable.
Key Responsibilities
Design Execution and Delivery:
Oversees the execution of design activities from concept through completion, ensuring alignment with project objectives and applicable standards
Ensure design deliverables are completed in accordance with approved design briefs, specifications, and functional requirements
Monitor progress against design schedules and ensure the timely delivery of all architectural outputs
Design Coordination and Stakeholder Management:
Manage and coordinate with internal teams and external consultants to ensure effective interdisciplinary coordination, collaboration, and communication
Liaise with consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders to resolve design-related technical issues and ensure design intent is maintained
Prepare and deliver design presentations to clients and stakeholders, incorporating feedback and ensuring alignment with project expectations
Design Review and Quality Assurance:
Conduct regular design reviews and provide constructive feedback to ensure compliance with design principles, quality standards, and project requirements
Review and assess design submissions for completeness, accuracy, constructability, and compliance with applicable codes and regulations
Ensures design documentation is properly controlled, updated, and issued in accordance with established procedures
Compliance and Regulatory Alignment:
Ensure compliance with project specifications, applicable building codes, and environmental regulations throughout the design process
Ensure adherence to project timelines, quality standards, and regulatory requirements, supporting successful project approvals and delivery
Planning, Cost, and Value Engineering:
Develop and maintain the design schedule and initial cost plan for the selected design, ensuring alignment with the overall project master plan
Ensure designs are updated based on value engineering outcomes and adjust cost plans accordingly
Review and evaluate design change requests, analyse impacts, and provide recommendations for approvals and implementation
Design Vision and Brief Development:
Fine-tune, articulate, and communicate the design vision to internal and external stakeholders, designers, and consultants
Facilitate the development of clear design briefs that effectively communicate project objectives aesthetically and functionally
Define design specifications, including schedules of components and material standards requirements
Tendering and RFP Development:
Develops tender documentation and ensures all requests for proposal (RFPs) meet required standards and comply with applicable rules and regulations
Participate in the development and coordination of RFPs with relevant business units to ensure clarity, completeness, and alignment with project needs
Team Development and Leadership:
Mentor junior design staff and support their professional development through coaching, guidance, and knowledge sharing
Foster a collaborative, structured, and creative working environment that supports performance and continuous improvement
Innovation and Continuous Improvement:
Stay updated with industry trends, technologies, and best practices to drive innovation in design tools, workflows, and processes
Promote continuous improvement in design coordination, delivery efficiency, and quality control practices
Requirements
Qualifications and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in architecture
Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience
Proven experience leading and managing design teams on large-scale projects, preferably mixed-use projects
Strong knowledge of design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp) and tools
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with diverse teams and clients
Strong project management skills, with a focus on time, cost and quality control
Ability to work under tight deadlines and manage multiple targets simultaneously
Key Competences:
Project & design management with focus on quality, compliance, and timely delivery
Leadership & team motivation, fostering collaboration and high performance
Strategic planning, feasibility studies, and effective change management
Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and results-driven mindset
Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and accountability
*Only applicants meeting the strict criteria outlined above will be contacted as part of the shortlisting process.