Associate Design Director

Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey.

The project:

A landmark programme involving the delivery of premium buildings and supporting infrastructure for a prestigious private estate. The project encompasses a diverse portfolio of high-value developments, requiring exceptional standards of design, planning, and execution.

We are seeking an experienced associate design director/design lead to provide strategic leadership and direction across the design delivery of a prestigious and confidential development programme.
Reporting to the project director and acting as the senior design authority for the project, you will lead multidisciplinary design teams, drive design excellence, oversee design governance, and ensure all design outputs align with the client's vision, operational requirements, budget, programme, and quality objectives.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Lead the overall design strategy and design delivery across a portfolio of building and infrastructure projects.
• Act as the primary design interface between the client, PMC team, consultants, and other key stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain robust design governance, review, and approval processes.
• Direct multidisciplinary consultant teams to ensure design quality, integration, and consistency across the programme.
• Provide leadership through all project stages, from concept development through construction and project handover.
• Drive design excellence while balancing programme, commercial, operational, sustainability, and technical requirements.
• Chair design review meetings, technical workshops, and senior stakeholder presentations.
• Manage design risks, critical interfaces, and technical challenges affecting project delivery.
• Ensure all design packages are coordinated, compliant, buildable, and aligned with project objectives.
• Support procurement strategies and participate in consultant and contractor selection processes.
• Review and endorse key technical submissions and major design decisions.
• Lead and mentor design management teams, fostering high performance and professional development.
• Support client decision-making by providing strategic design advice and recommendations.

You’ll need to have:

• Degree qualified in architecture, engineering, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in a senior design leadership position within a developer, PMC, consultancy, or client organisation.
• Proven track record delivering major luxury residential, hospitality, mixed-use, estate, cultural, or landmark developments.
• Strong understanding of design management, design assurance, technical governance, and project delivery methodologies.
• Experience leading large multidisciplinary consultant teams across multiple project phases.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to engage at the executive level.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of programme, procurement, construction, and operational requirements.
• Ability to challenge, influence, and drive design outcomes while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships.
• Middle East project experience is highly desirable.

Our values

Safety first - Going home safe and well: We champion a safe, diverse, and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of well-being in every team.

Client focus - Deliver on our promise: We own the quality of deliverables and strategic outcomes and build long-term relationships with our clients.

Integrity - Always do the right thing: We influence positive outcomes within our industry while always aligning with our compliance obligations.

Create opportunity - For our people to excel: We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfill all the criteria, please apply, as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.

We are also open to discussing part-time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role.

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