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 Sobha’s U.S. single-family residential platform. This role is responsible for translating Sobha’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 Sobha’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.