Design Lead – Architecture & Design Management

Location: Bangalore

Work Mode: Work from Office

Industry: Real Estate / Property Development

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Design Lead – Architecture & Design Management to lead architectural design, design development and coordination across multiple residential and commercial real estate projects.

The role will be responsible for translating project vision into compelling design solutions while ensuring seamless coordination between architecture, interiors, MEP, landscape, façade and other consultants. The ideal candidate will combine strong design sensibility with practical execution knowledge, ensuring that design intent is maintained from concept through site execution.

This is a hands-on role requiring strong ownership of design quality, consultant coordination, technical review, materials, site execution and stakeholder presentations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Design Leadership & Concept Development

• Lead architectural design from concept through schematic and design development stages across multiple projects.
• Translate project briefs and business objectives into compelling, market-relevant design concepts.
• Ensure design solutions align with project positioning, customer experience and commercial objectives.
• Drive innovation in planning, façade, spatial planning and overall user experience.
• Review and challenge design proposals to ensure high standards of architectural quality.

2. Project Coordination & Design Management

• Act as the central design coordinator across Architecture, Interiors, MEP, Landscape, Façade and Structural consultants.
• Ensure seamless integration of all design disciplines into a cohesive project outcome.
• Establish and monitor design deliverables, timelines and workflows.
• Coordinate with internal project, development, procurement, contracts, sales and marketing teams.
• Identify design risks, gaps and coordination issues proactively and drive timely resolution.
• Manage consultant performance and ensure adherence to agreed design timelines and deliverables.

3. Interior Design & Customer Experience

• Review and guide interior design concepts for clubhouses, lobbies, amenities and experience zones.
• Ensure interiors are premium, experiential and aligned with the overall project vision.
• Review spatial planning, detailing, materials, finishes and user journeys.
• Work closely with interior consultants to maintain consistency between architectural and interior design intent.
• Contribute to creating distinctive customer experiences that strengthen project positioning.

4. Materials, Mock-ups & Design Quality

• Review and finalize materials, finishes and specifications in line with design intent and project cost targets.
• Lead sample reviews, material selections and mock-up evaluations.
• Coordinate with vendors and consultants on material and finish specifications.
• Ensure consistency of design quality across projects.
• Drive value engineering without compromising the core design intent.
• Stay updated on emerging materials, technologies, construction solutions and global design trends.

5. Drawings & Technical Review

• Review architectural, interior and consultant drawings for accuracy, completeness and coordination.
• Identify clashes, gaps and optimization opportunities at an early stage.
• Ensure drawings are coordinated and execution-ready.
• Review GFC drawings and technical submissions as required.
• Work with consultants and site teams to resolve RFIs and design-related execution issues.
• Ensure technical decisions remain aligned with the approved design intent.

6. Site Monitoring & Quality Control

• Conduct regular site visits to monitor adherence to approved design intent.
• Review execution quality, finishes, detailing and workmanship.
• Coordinate with project and site teams to resolve design and execution challenges.
• Review deviations from approved designs and recommend corrective actions.
• Maintain high standards of architectural quality throughout execution.
• Bridge the gap between design teams and site execution teams.

7. MEP, Façade & Landscape Integration

• Coordinate with MEP consultants to ensure seamless integration of HVAC, electrical, plumbing and other services.
• Ensure building services are integrated without compromising architectural and interior design intent.
• Coordinate façade design and detailing with architectural and structural requirements.
• Work with landscape consultants to create cohesive outdoor environments.
• Ensure built and unbuilt environments work together as a unified customer experience.

8. Design Presentation & Stakeholder Management

• Lead the preparation of high-impact design presentations communicating project vision, concept and value.
• Present design strategies and recommendations to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• Translate design intent into compelling narratives that support sales, marketing and investment objectives.
• Review and guide masterplans, renders, walkthroughs, visualisations and experience storytelling.
• Support sales and marketing teams with design narratives and project collaterals.
• Represent the design function in key project reviews, consultant meetings and stakeholder discussions.
• Influence decision-making through strong design articulation and commercial understanding.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong architectural design sensibility with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong understanding of real estate development and project delivery.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and consultants simultaneously.
• Excellent design coordination and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong understanding of construction and execution challenges.
• Strong knowledge of materials, finishes and architectural detailing.
• Ability to balance design quality, cost, timelines and execution feasibility.
• Strong presentation, communication and design storytelling skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.

Software Skills

Mandatory:

• AutoCAD

Preferred:

• SketchUp
• Revit
• Rhino
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe InDesign
• MS Office / PowerPoint and presentation tools

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Architecture (B.Arch / M.Arch)
• Relevant professional certifications will be an advantage.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in real estate development, architecture, design management or EPC environments.
• Exposure to residential, commercial, mixed-use, hospitality or premium developments.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary design consultants.
• Strong exposure to both design development and site execution.
• Experience with premium residential, amenities, clubhouses, lobbies or customer experience spaces will be an advantage.

What We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate is an architect who can operate across the entire design lifecycle — from concept development and design coordination to technical review and site execution.

We are looking for someone who is both design-oriented and execution-focused, with the ability to protect design intent while working within commercial, technical, cost and timeline constraints.