Interior Design Quality Director - Site Based

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates Description Department: Projects / Design & Quality Reports To: Head of Projects / VP Projects Location: Site-based (Dubai/UAE – villa & residential development projects) Employment Type: Full-time Role Purpose To lead and safeguard interior design quality across villa and residential development projects — from design intent through to final handover — ensuring that on-site execution, materials, finishes, and craftsmanship consistently meet the approved design standards, brand positioning, and client expectations. Key Responsibilities Design Quality Assurance Review and validate interior design packages (FF&E, joinery, finishes, lighting, materials) against approved concept and design development documents before site execution. Conduct regular site walkthroughs and quality inspections at each construction/fit-out stage to verify alignment with design intent. Identify and resolve discrepancies between design drawings and on-site execution before they become costly rework. Ensure all interior design installations, including project mock ups (FIP), of fit-out and custom productions follow the highest of AHS quality standards. Aligning to the ID packages. Site Coordination Act as the on-site authority for interior design matters, liaising directly with contractors, subcontractors, joinery workshops, and FF&E suppliers. Coordinate with the design consultant/design studio to clarify details, resolve site queries, and manage design change requests. Work closely with the Projects team to align interior design milestones with the overall construction program. Inspection of all fit-out installations and to create detailed reports for VP of Design reviews and approvals. Quality Control & Standards Develop and maintain interior finishing quality benchmarks, snag-list protocols, and inspection checklists specific to villa/residential standards. Own the snagging and de-snagging process for interior scopes through to handover. Approve material and finish samples/mock-ups prior to full rollout. Sign off of site installation related to the interior design and custom furniture and lighting manufacturing. Documentation & Reporting Maintain a master log of design queries (RFIs), approvals, variations, and quality inspection reports. Provide regular progress and quality status reports to the Head of Projects/VP Projects. Flag risks related to design-execution gaps, material lead times, or contractor performance. Stakeholder Management Represent design quality interests in site coordination meetings. Support procurement in evaluating contractor/vendor capability for interior finishing works. Liaise with ownership/client representatives on design quality matters as required. Requirements Experience Minimum 8 years +' experience in interior design, with significant site-based/execution experience on high-end villa or luxury residential projects. Proven track record overseeing interior fit-out quality from design through handover. Experience working directly with contractors, joinery workshops, and FF&E suppliers in a live construction environment. Custom / Bespoke manufacturing experience with high end global suppliers across both residential and luxury hospitality. Education Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or related field. Skills & Competencies Proficiency in AutoCAD/relevant design software for reviewing drawings; familiarity with project management/reporting tools. Fluent English (Arabic a plus, given UAE site environment).