Manager – Retail Design – Retail Destination – Asset Management

Job Description

Manager Retail Design Retail Destination Dubai Holding Asset Management

About Dubai Holding Asset Management:

Dubai Holding Asset Management (DHAM) owns and operates an extensive portfolio of 20 landmark retail destinations and 15 residential communities.

The Group plays a focal role in shaping Dubai&aposs position as a global leader in business, tourism and leisure, contributing to its position as one of the world&aposs most coveted and sought-after liveable destinations. From hot-spot retail destinations like Bluewater&aposs, JBR, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Al Khawaneej Walk and The Outlet Village to popular attractions, including the Theatre of Digital Art, Madame Tussauds, Tr88house, Museum of Illusions, Dubai Holding Asset Managements retail destinations captivate millions of visitors and tourists every year.

Meanwhile, the niche and vibrant community centres as Bay Avenue, Mudon Community Centre, and Serena Marketplace play a vast role in enhancing the overall quality of life in residential communities, making neighborhoods more vibrant and connected. In 2022,

Dubai Holding Asset Managements retail destinations collectively attracted over 28 million visitors and hosted over 75 events across the portfolio. Dubai Asset Management maintains a substantial presence in Dubai with a leasing portfolio of 15 distinct residential communities, elevating the citys global recognition as one of the most desirable and liveable destinations worldwide.

About the Job:

An opportunity has arisen for Manager Retail Design to join our Retail Destination team. The main duties and responsibilities of this role:

- Manage, plan, record and direct the reporting design team members to ensure that all business requirements are met, and relevant services are provided.
- Controlling and managing the Delivery of Tenants to the respective Assets within the given milestones. Ensuring quality units are delivered as per approved drawings.
- Assist the Senior Manager of Retail Design to manage, plan, record and direct the Design team to ensure that all business requirements are met.
- Responsible for managing and accessing all retail designs to meet the unique individual brand identities of each asset in line with DHAMs overall guidelines, and which will have a positive impact on the overall profitability of the destinations and resolving tenant design issues.
- Manage the coordination of the design and delivery of the retail tenancies with other parts of the business, including Project Management and Construction, Development, Leasing and Mall Management, to incorporate all relevant factors into the development of the tenancies.
- Provide technical inputs to the tenants / consultants / contractors on all design, construction, and primarily site-based activities.
- Check profiles of the contractors chosen by the tenant to ensure that the contractors experience is in line with the requirements.
- Review design submissions, report defaults with regards to design violations as per DHAM / Authority policies and regulations while providing expertise in new retail stores development and redevelopment cycles.
- Provide technical inputs to the tenants / consultants / contractors on all design, construction, and primarily site-based activities.
- Work with design teams to create solutions and expedite final design approval.
- Conduct site visits to inspect on-site tenants contractors work against approved technical drawings and programmers.
- Compare tenants drawings to actual site conditions to point out all modifications applied by the tenants and guide their teams through the DHAM process for TVR submissions and approvals as well as achieving authorities approvals.
- Understand design and construction documents, design criteria and provide technical support to tenants consultants / contractors.
- Review and monitor the design teams and contractor construction design processes, procedures and quality management plans thus ensuring distribution of all construction design information and documentation to all relevant parties.
- Review base build shop drawings / sample submissions and consult within the projects team and external consultants, as appropriate, to ensure the design intent is being maintained for base build works.
- Review units Lease Outline Drawings (LOD) issued by FM team.
- Provide expertise in detail development and recommend products and systems that accomplish the design intent based on research.
- Facilitate timely communication and coordination with tenants consultants / contractors to complete design drawings approvals.
- Coordinate Architectural drawings at all stages to ensure conflicts are resolved; be fully aware of architecture/building interfacing and possible conflicts and initiate resolution.
- Managing the review of all operational units requests for minor modifications as well as activations and promotions booths design in assigned assets.
- Provide oversight to ensure the timely completion of the design deliverables throughout all stages of the design and construction program.
- Ensure that all shops / units are fully operational by the established opening date by adhering to timelines for on-site store delivery, and minimization of downtime in the income stream as a result of programmed openings.
- Introduce health & safety measures including method statements and risk assessments to fit-out contractors.
- To identify Asset project risks; highlight discrepancies of process and implement a risk mitigation strategy for construction and/or drawings and implement solutions to rectify/expedite delivery.
- Follow-up as necessary to achieve tenant mobilization within agreed timeline and resolve tenant issues raised within agreed timeline.
- Improve concepts / redesign retail formats for the concept in line with the customer, retail stores requirements and latest market trends.
- Ensure that all the designs and drawings are as per DHAM design standard and minimum design criteria.
- Oversee weekly report on the overall fit out status for all assets to be shared with Retail Property Management and Retail Leasing departments to keep them updated on the progress of the fit-out works being undertaken by each tenant.
- Responsible for day-to-day project management success of selected Assets project phases including, but not limited to fit outs documentation, work permit procedures and tracking.
- Liaise with the base-built contractor and all statutory authorities.
- Build and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including the client, landlord, consultants, contractors, architects, concerned authorities, etc., to ensure all projects are completed without disputes, litigation, or cost overruns.
- Provide directions to contractors, including design, project management, scheduling and coordination necessary, and assist in resolving potential discrepancies.
- Seek assistance from the leasing team to reach out to the tenant in case the tenant is unresponsive to requests / calls.
- Interact with Centre Managers and mall operations teams in order to coordinate work during the store / unit fit-out design process and ensure that minimum hindrance is faced during the redevelopment projects.
- Provide leadership within the function, Manage the effective achievement of objectives through setting individual objectives, managing performance, developing and motivating staff, provision of formal and informal feedback and appraisal in order to maximise subordinate and the overall performance in the pursuit of the Departments objectives.
- Build and promote an organization culture that encourages innovation and reward performance that leads to enhanced staff motivation and retention.
- Attend and participate in weekly/monthly and annual board meetings with leadership teams and peers to share and provide feedback on design concepts, support colleagues, learn, coordinate joint approvals, and help each other in achieving stand-out concepts.
- Take responsibility for the creative vision and the standard of output across team members who work under them.
- Motivate subordinates and contribute to the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement of systems, processes and practices considering international leading practice, improvement of business processes, cost reduction and productivity improvement.

About you:

- Bachelors degree in Architecture or equivalent is required.
- Minimum 6 - 8 years of experience in managing retail design ideally in a large shopping mall / retail development company.
- People Management Skills
- Performance Management Skills
- Problem Solving Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Proficient skills in Design Softwares (AutoCAD, Photoshop, illustrator)
- Ability to manage new/ ambiguous situations.
- Creativity and innovation.
- Market/ Regional knowledge.
- Advanced analytical and reporting skills.
- Skilled in planning and organizing resources.
- Skilled in quality management.
- Knowledge of total cost management concepts and their application.
- Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
- Proficient in both oral and written English communication skills; proficiency in Arabic is considered an advantage.

About the Benefits:

At Dubai Holding, we&aposre committed to nurturing the success and well-being of our colleagues. Join our dynamic and diverse team and enjoy a comprehensive benefit package that includes competitive compensation, career development opportunities, and a collaborative work environment. We strongly believe in creating an empowered workforce that will help us build a connected city for tomorrow. We are committed to attracting the brightest minds and nurturing the most pioneering candidates who desire to make a great impact on the future of Dubai.

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