Director of Design

Company Overview: Our client is a Dubai-based, well-capitalized, vertically integrated real estate development and construction platform establishing and scaling its U.S. residential business, with Dallas serving as its U.S. headquarters. The firm is backed by a global organization of ~55,000 employees, with 50+ million square feet under development internationally, and decades of experience delivering large-scale residential and mixed-use projects.The U.S. platform has an active pipeline of ~1,000 homes, with homes already under construction, and a clear mandate to scale from ~500 homes annually toward several thousand units per year over time. The business operates with a conservative, equity-funded capital structure and a fully integrated execution model spanning development, construction, and offsite manufacturing, supporting the build-out of an institutional, multi-market U.S. residential platform.Position Overview:The Director of Design will lead the architectural and product design function for our client's U.S. single-family residential platform. This role is responsible for translating the firm's global design standards into a differentiated, scalable U.S. residential product, while balancing design excellence, constructability, cost discipline, and speed to market. The Director of Design will partner closely with Development and Construction as a core member of the U.S. leadership team.Responsibilities:Lead the architectural vision and product design strategy across our client's U.S. single-family communities.Establish and maintain design standards, guidelines, and prototype libraries to support scalable development across multiple communities.Manage external architects, engineers, and design consultants from concept through construction documentation.Partner with Development on feasibility, product positioning, lot fit, yield optimization, and entitlement strategy.Collaborate closely with Construction to ensure designs are buildable, cost-efficient, and aligned with schedules and budgets.Oversee entitlement packages, design development, and construction documents, ensuring compliance with local codes and jurisdictional requirements.Review and approve design changes, value engineering initiatives, and field-driven modifications without compromising brand or quality.Institutionalize design processes, workflows, and review protocols to support growth into a multi-market platform.Present design concepts, product updates, and recommendations to U.S. and global leadership.Build, mentor, and lead internal design resources as the U.S. platform scales.Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Architecture or a related field; professional licensure preferred.15+ years of residential design experience, primarily focused on single-family product, including 3–5 years in a leadership role.Experience in an in-house role with a residential developer or design-led homebuilder strongly preferred.Deep understanding of the residential design lifecycle, including entitlements, construction documentation, and field coordination.Proven experience managing external design firms and consultants across multiple projects.Strong knowledge of U.S. residential building codes, zoning, and permitting processes.Ability to balance high design standards with cost control, constructability, and execution timelines.Strong communication skills and comfort working with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.