Senior Manager - Interior Architecture

Transguard Group was established in 2001 and has diversified significantly, we lead in the fields of Cash Services, Security Services, Manpower Services, Facilities Management & Aviation. Transguard Group is the UAE’s most trusted business support and outsourcing provider and has a large, dynamic and culturally diverse workforce with 50,000 employees!  We are currently recruiting for a Senior Manager - Interior Architecture for our trusted client in Aviation industry to be based out of their headquarters in Dubai. 

Job Purpose-

The Organization is seeking an exceptional Senior Manager - Interior Architecture with broad creative and technical expertise to help design and deliver beautiful hospitality & commercially led aviation projects.
The Senior Manager - Interior Architecture role shall lead, as well as actively design where necessary, our project team of design thinkers and doers who specialize in helping to tell stories and create experiences in the context of aviation, commercial and hospitality, creatively re-imagining existing buildings & interior spaces, taking a human-centered approach to help them become environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. They must possess a thorough knowledge of interior design practice with emphasis on aviation design, experience design & planning, building materials, construction methods, integration of engineering disciplines and building codes.
The role work creatively with designers and the marketing team to ensure that the project story reflects the Airports design requirements and aspirations, and that any required resources are in place partake and coordinate the creative side of the project and input as required with drawings, presentations, schedules etc.

Job Responsibilities:

Key Accountability: Provision of Subject Matter Expertise (SME) in Commercial & Hospitality led Interior Design

Demonstrate extensive experience at an accountable level with interior architectural & experience design teams with five years’ experience in commercial & hospitality projects, space planning & interior concepts

• Demonstrate an understanding of the key drivers of hospitality & commercial interior design & planning, including the interactions between aviation and airport operations, development of design concepts, retail & commercial planning
• Can speak in hospitality terminology about occupancy, IT and the overall technology required.
• Understands operational needs of housekeeping, service, sales and catering, meetings and conference rooms, food and beverage, spa and fitness, seating & circulation spaces
• Follow trades and reads articles about what is being tried in other markets and the success and failures to educate self so that ideas can be applied to own work and ideas.
• Openly shares ideas and knowledge with team to enhance the project.
• Manage and own the design stage reviews.

Key Accountability: Stakeholder Management & Coordination

Demonstrate extensive experience at an accountable level with leading & coordinating design teams in multi-partner / stakeholder scenarios;

• Coordinate & collaborate with a range of project partners, stakeholders, business units, contractors and clients
• Facilitate and enable the business to connect with the experience design through benchmark visioning and the creation of working prototypes with reference to new and emerging trends in the aviation and other relevant service industries..
• Drive collaboration with internal and external stakeholders and Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects to ensure all guest experience design solutions are realised as per customer and stakeholder requirements, and to ensure the business objectives are fully realised.

Key Accountability: Project Briefings & Design Requirements
Support with the wider project team, stakeholders & business units in the design requirements associated with project briefs;;

• Brief Development & Consultant Management
• Support of organizations Business Units in development & definition of project design to support an overall business brief
• Support in the selection of various subcontractors and outsourced service providers to ensure that Dubai Airports benefits from the engagement of a competitive, quality assured and performance driven supply chain focused on a mutually supportive long term relationship.

Key Accountability: Interiors & Experience Design Development

Develop conceptual design and planning studies for short-term and long-term airport development projects;

1. Conceptual Design:

• Utilizes innovation in design and methods.
• Knows how to develop vignettes and hand sketches of architectural and FF&E ideas that work in the space and meet intended design goals – and then articulates ‘why concepts work’ to the team, by using sound logical reasoning that is convincing.
• Can readily capture the intended ‘look and attitude’ that reflects branding and positioning; with architecture, color, finish materials, FF&E – and articulates “why concepts work” to the team using a sound, logical reasoning.
• Designs ‘around corners’ not just major areas - so spaces flow consistently, areas tie together for maximum impact and secondary focal points are established and used to build upon the underlying ‘story’ and attitude.
• Regularly follows trends in Hotels, Architecture and Interior Design so that own work and ideas are of an ‘International’ caliber as well as sophistication level.
• Is highly skilled in ‘Lighting’ as a design element, knows how to use lighting and shadows for drama and impact. Regularly follows lighting magazines to watch for new trends and applications and fixtures. Introduces new ideas and approaches in concepts.

2. Developed Design:

•  Analysis Ability
• Researches, documents and is responsible for discipline design compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances, standards and regulations.
• These drawings include:
  - Finished Floor Plans – tagged/keyed and noted for all areas developed as required for final approval.
  - Furniture Plans all areas including major public areas, corridors, foyers, restrooms, fitness etc. – developed as required for final approval
  - Finished Elevations with millwork, outlets, wall sconces, cabinetry, specialty finishes and treatments noted, tagged and indicated in a way that is clear for construction and fabrication.
  - Finished RCP with ceiling materials, treatments and heights clearly called out and dimensioned where needed.
  - Knowledge of types of lighting, applications, energy requirements, lamping and appropriate light spread.
  - Skilled at researching finish materials and learning about their required applications as well as installation requirements so that the information can be noted in depth on the drawings.
  
  
• FF&E Specification Requirements
  - Proven ability to independently produce a set of quality specifications and issue a book that require few questions from outside agents, that deliver quality products at the level intended, that are within budget and meet operational needs.
  - In depth knowledge of the Major Manufacturers and their products, fabrication techniques, finish requirements and ability to deliver quality products on schedule and per budget.
  - Highly skilled in designing: Custom Lighting, Carpets, Fabrics, Wallcovering and has an in depth knowledge of process and procedures to insure Manufacturers interpretations of our designs meet DDA level of intended quality, is delivered on time, within budget and meets operational levels of durability.
  - Is an expert at reviewing shop drawings and samples to insure drawings and finishes match organization specifications.
  - Can interpret photos of ‘like” FF&E and draw custom furniture/lighting/ fabric and carpet designs that are detailed and noted in a way that require little clarification from outside agents.
  - Has an expert knowledge of durability codes, fire codes and operational needs on product being designed and specified.
  - Has an expert knowledge of fabrication techniques for drapery, bedding, pillows and knows how to achieve a wide array of designs ranging from contemporary to formal classic; and is then able to create detailed specs for fabrication.
  
  
• Designing for Safety incorporated into drawings
  - Ensure compliance to all relevant QHSSE management procedures and controls within a defined area of activity so that Dubai Airports provides a safe, world class, secure and environmentally responsible airport to passengers, customers, the public and staff

Key Accountability: Soft Skills & Project Controls

A high sense of accountability with an ability to work in a fast-paced environment, be quality oriented and have a desire to deliver high quality work on time and on budget

• Assisting Stakeholders & Business Units in setting out formal design requirements
• Ensure the business understands the design, whilst also balancing the business impact and ramifications of the solutions, using business acumen to provide justification for the design decisions.
• Drive the project objectives and balance the competing demands of the business.
• Leadership of design meetings, site meetings and all other project related meetings
• Presenting and explaining proposed strategies and outcomes
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with ability to distil and present technical work to non-technical audiences and be fluent in English.
• Keep up to date with latest industry trends and ensure their dissemination within the team

• Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design / Space Planning / Commercial / Hospitality
• Professional Qualifications/Regulatory/Certification Requirements: University degree qualified / Chartered Interior Architect / Interior Designer with minimum 5 years professional experience Commercial & Hospitality design experience preferred
• 5-7 years of Industry Experience in Interior Design / Hospitality Design / Commercial & Retail Design

Tools and Systems Experience:

• Exceptionally high standards in the preparation & presentation of architectural / design drawings & studies using AutoCad / SketchUp
• Ability to hand-draw & sketch to high standard
• High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office
• Experience in 3D modelling / rendering software (Lumion / Blender)