Design Manager

Company overview

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions: automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Groupu2019s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organization to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration, and integrity, Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day.

Overview of the role

Lead and oversee the landscape design function across real estate developments, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, sustainable, functional, and aesthetically appealing outdoor environments. The role is responsible for ensuring all landscape designs align with the project vision, development brief, budget requirements, operational considerations, regulatory standards, and construction objectives while maintaining design excellence and compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

What you will do

• Develop and prepare comprehensive landscape design scopes covering softscape, hardscape, irrigation systems, lighting coordination, site furniture, signage integration, and long-term maintenance requirements.
• Lead the technical evaluation and selection of landscape consultants, specialist designers, contractors, and tender bidders, ensuring alignment with project objectives and quality standards.
• Monitor and report on key landscape design performance indicators, including green area targets, planting quality, irrigation efficiency, public realm performance, accessibility, maintainability, and compliance with project and operational requirements.
• Manage the full landscape design lifecycle from concept development through schematic design, detailed design, tender documentation, construction support, and final handover.
• Direct and coordinate the work of landscape consultants and specialist sub-consultants to ensure timely delivery and adherence to project standards.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable Egyptian codes, authority requirements, environmental regulations, accessibility standards, and project approval processes.
• Collaborate closely with architecture, civil, MEP, irrigation, lighting, wayfinding, operations, and maintenance teams to deliver integrated, functional, durable, and buildable landscape solutions.
• Support project delivery during construction by overseeing landscape-related site activities, including material and plant approvals, mock-ups, RFIs, technical reviews, site coordination, and contractor engagement as required.

Required skills to be successful

• 10-12+ years of experience in landscape architecture, landscape design, public realm design, or design management within real estate development, consultancy, mixed-use developments, hospitality, retail, or large-scale urban projects.
• Proven experience leading landscape design projects across all stages, from concept design through construction and handover.
• Strong expertise in landscape design leadership, consultant management, planting design review, and hardscape and softscape coordination.
• Solid understanding of irrigation systems, landscape lighting coordination, public realm design, and sustainable landscape practices.
• Experience in technical design reviews, material selection, mock-up evaluations, authority approvals, and contractor coordination.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, and landscape design documentation tools.

What equips you for the role

• Bacheloru2019s degree in landscape architecture, urban landscape design, civil engineering, or a related field.
• Professional certifications related to landscape architecture, urban design, sustainability, or project management are considered an advantage.
• Strong understanding of landscape design standards, authority requirements, environmental regulations, accessibility standards, and construction methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead consultants, influence stakeholders, and deliver high-quality landscape solutions aligned with project objectives.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.
• Strong leadership, strategic thinking, stakeholder management, communication, and influencing capabilities.

About Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate

The real estate development and operations arm of Al-Futtaim, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate is responsible for a multi-billion-dollar portfolio across MENA. With high-quality residential, business, retail, tourism, educational, and healthcare developments, the master developer caters to the diverse needs of cities and communities in the region. From origination, conception, development, sales, procurement, and construction of mega-projects and the leasing, operation, and management of these projects after completion, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE) has been developing and managing owned landbanks, unlocking the economic potential of the region and contributing to future development for more than 40 years.

Our focus is to enable and invest in meaningful relationships to make our properties the best places to live and work, build additional products and services, and enable partnerships to create true value to our customers throughout their entire experience with us.

AFGRE is responsible for master planning of all projects in its portfolio, including two large scale mixed-use destinations: Dubai Festival City and Cairo Festival City.