Studio Lead

10 Design is a global architecture and masterplanning practice, working across architecture, masterplanning, landscape and interiors. We are part of 10N Collective and Egis, with studios across the UK, Asia, the Middle East and the US.

Our work is built on collaboration, design quality, agility and the ability to bring the right expertise to the right project, wherever that expertise sits in the world. The Dubai studio plays an important role in our Middle East presence and in our ability to serve clients across the region with the strength of a global design practice behind it.

We're looking for a Studio Lead to lead our Dubai studio, grow our presence across the UAE and the wider Middle East, strengthen client relationships, and oversee the successful delivery of projects through our global network of design studios.

Key Responsibilities:

Regional Leadership and Business Development

• Lead 10 Design’s presence in Dubai and act as a senior representative of the business in the UAE and wider Middle East region.
• Build, maintain and strengthen relationships with clients, developers, investors, operators, consultants, contractors and strategic partners.
• Use existing regional knowledge and contacts to identify new opportunities and help convert them into secured work.
• Work closely with the CEO, Growth Board, Design Board, Commercial leadership and wider 10N network to shape and deliver the regional growth strategy.
• Lead and support client presentations, interviews, bids, proposals and strategic pursuits.
• Represent 10 Design with confidence, clarity and credibility at client meetings, industry events and regional forums.
• Bring market intelligence back into the business, including client needs, competitor activity, procurement trends and emerging opportunities.
• Help position 10 Design in the region as a design-led, commercially aware and globally connected practice.

Studio Leadership

• Lead, manage and mentor the Dubai team, creating a clear sense of direction, accountability and momentum.
• Build a positive, professional and high-performing studio culture where people understand what is expected of them.
• Ensure the Dubai team is properly connected to the wider 10 Design business and not operating in isolation.
• Support recruitment, development and performance management for the Dubai studio.
• Create the right balance between local presence and global delivery capability.
• Make sure the studio operates with discipline, clarity and consistency in line with 10 Design’s standards, systems and commercial expectations.

Project Leadership and Global Delivery

• Act as the senior local lead for projects in the region, giving clients confidence that their projects are properly led and coordinated.
• Brief, guide and manage remote project teams across London, Edinburgh, Hong Kong, the US and other studios as needed.
• Translate client requirements, regional context, authority requirements, procurement expectations and commercial priorities into clear instructions for the wider project team.
• Stay close to project progress, programme, scope, fee, risk, resourcing and client satisfaction.
• Work with project directors, design leads, technical leads and commercial teams to make sure projects are delivered to the right quality, on time and within agreed scope.
• Identify project issues early and intervene before they become bigger problems.
• Ensure strong communication between the client, the Dubai team and remote delivery teams.
• Be willing to roll up your sleeves when needed, particularly at key project stages, client presentations, design reviews, authority submissions or moments of pressure.
• Maintain design quality while ensuring that projects are commercially and technically deliverable.

Design, Client and Presentation Leadership

• Present 10 Design’s work clearly and persuasively to clients, partners and stakeholders.
• Understand the design intent of each project and be able to communicate it in a way that is relevant to the client, the site, the market and the commercial brief.
• Work with design leaders across the practice to ensure that our proposals are ambitious, credible and appropriate for the region.
• Challenge teams constructively when the work is not yet strong enough, clear enough or commercially aligned.
• Help clients make good decisions by bringing clarity, judgement and confidence to the process.
• Protect the quality of 10 Design’s output while understanding the realities of programme, budget, procurement and delivery.

Commercial and Operational Responsibility

• Take responsibility for the commercial health of the Dubai studio and the projects under your leadership.
• Work closely with finance and commercial colleagues to manage fee proposals, project budgets, scope, variations, invoicing, collections and project profitability.
• Ensure that new opportunities are properly qualified before significant time is invested.
• Support accurate pipeline reporting, revenue forecasting and resource planning.
• Make sure project teams understand the agreed scope, deliverables, programme and commercial parameters.
• Drive stronger discipline around project setup, communication, reporting and change control.
• Escalate risks early and bring solutions, not just problems.

Required Experience

• Qualified architect or equivalent senior design/project leadership background.
• Ideally 15+ years of professional experience, with a significant part of that experience in the Middle East.
• Demonstrable experience in sectors relevant to 10 Design, such as mixed-use, hospitality, residential, retail, commercial, masterplanning or large-scale urban projects.
• Proven ability to build client relationships and convert opportunities into secured work.
• Experience leading teams and managing project delivery across multiple offices or geographies.
• Strong understanding of the UAE market, regional procurement routes, client expectations and consultant coordination.
• Experience working with international design teams and multidisciplinary project structures.

Candidate Profile

• Significant experience in the UAE and wider Middle East architecture, development or design consultancy market.
• Strong existing relationships with clients, developers, consultants, operators and industry contacts in the region.
• A proven track record of winning, leading and delivering architectural projects.
• Experience working in a senior leadership role within an international design practice or multidisciplinary consultancy.
• Strong design judgement and the ability to represent a design-led practice with credibility.
• Experience managing distributed teams and delivering projects through teams based in different countries and time zones.
• The ability to lead a small local team while drawing on the capability of a larger global practice.
• Confidence in client-facing situations, including pitches, interviews, presentations, negotiations and difficult project conversations.
• Strong commercial understanding, including fees, scope, programme, resourcing, profitability, risk and client management.
• A hands-on attitude and the willingness to get involved directly when the project or client needs it.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to bring clarity to complex situations.
• A collaborative leadership style, with the confidence to challenge constructively when needed.

Why join us

This is an opportunity to lead an important studio within a global design practice at a key moment in its growth.

The role offers the chance to build on 10 Design’s existing presence in Dubai, strengthen our position in the Middle East and connect regional opportunities with the full capability of our international studios.

We are looking for someone who wants to take ownership, grow relationships, lead people, win work and help deliver projects that we can all be proud of.