Design Manager to lead the design function for mixed-use commercial developments comprising office spaces, retail, experience centres, and urban distribution centres (UDCs). The role involves managing the entire design lifecycle—from feasibility and project brief preparation to coordination of detailed drawings, consultant management, sales support, and construction integration. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of commercial real estate design standards and statutory regulations, with a keen eye for materiality, cost-efficiency, and user experience.

Key responsibilities

Design Strategy & Feasibility:

• Lead design feasibility assessments for complex, mixed-use developments considering zoning, FAR/FSI, circulation, and service integration.
• Assist in developing and refining the project brief for office, retail, UDCs, and customer-facing experience zones, in line with development vision and market positioning.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to align design with business case, ROI, and phasing strategy.

Consultant & Design Coordination:

• Manage multidisciplinary design consultants (architectural, structural, MEP, facade, landscape, sustainability, vertical transport, traffic, etc.) throughout all project stages.
• Ensure timely delivery and quality of concept designs, tender packages, GFCs, and technical specifications.
• Oversee the integration of various design components—office space planning, retail shell design, experience centre layouts, and logistics flows within UDCs.

Sales Centre, Mockups & Material Sampling : 

• Drive the design and execution of high-impact sales and experience centres that reflect the development’s vision and value proposition.
• Lead creation of mockup units/spaces for office, retail, and UDC components, ensuring accuracy in look, feel, and specifications.
• Manage material sampling, approvals, and alignment with brand, budget, and quality expectations.

Construction & Site Coordination:

• Liaise with project execution teams to ensure accurate implementation of design on-site.
• Review shop drawings, resolve RFIs, and attend site coordination meetings with consultants and contractors.
• Support construction with detailed sketches, material clarifications, and alternative solutions during execution.

Statutory Compliance & Approvals:

• Ensure complete compliance with all applicable building codes in MMR, NBC, fire norms, UDC-specific logistics norms, and local development control regulations.
• Coordinate with legal, liaison, and planning teams for submission packages, approvals, and authority interactions.

Metric type (Indicative)

Design Delivery Timelines:

• % Adherence to agreed timelines for concept designs, tender packages, and GFCs across all project phases.

Stakeholder Satisfaction:

• Average internal stakeholder feedback rating on design quality, coordination effectiveness, and alignment with project objectives.

Statutory Compliance Efficiency:

• % Compliance rate with applicable building codes (e.g., MMR, NBC, DCR, UDC norms) and average resolution time for statutory queries.

Marketing, Branding & Collaterals:

• Collaborate with marketing and leasing teams to develop project marketing collaterals, master plans, layout visualizations, brochures, and digital walkthroughs.
• Ensure spatial branding and design support for experience centres, signage, and wayfinding aligned with the brand strategy.

Material Knowledge & Cost Awareness:

• Stay updated on the latest building materials, finishes, green certifications, and construction methods.
• Contribute to value engineering exercises, optimizing design for quality and cost.
• Coordinate with procurement and QS for BOQ alignment and technical evaluations.

Educational Requirement and Work Experience

• Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (B.Arch). Master’s in Urban Design,  Real Estate Development is an advantage.
• Years of experience: 10-12 years

Key Behavioral Capabilities

• In-depth experience in mixed-use commercial developments including office, retail, and logistics spaces.
• Strong grasp of urban planning principles, functional layouts, and circulation strategies.
• Proficient in design coordination tools like AutoCAD, Revit, BIM tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent leadership, coordination, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong awareness of statutory frameworks, design innovation, and user-centric space planning