Head - Design

About Business:

Adani Group: Adani Group is a diversified organisation in India comprising 10 publicly traded companies. It has created a world class logistics and utility infrastructure portfolio that has a pan-India presence. Adani Group is headquartered in Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat, India. Over the years, Adani Group has positioned itself to be the market leader in its logistics and energy businesses focusing on large scale infrastructure development in India with O & M practices benchmarked to global standards. With four IG rated businesses, it is the only Infrastructure Investment Grade issuer in India.

Adani Airports Holding Limited: Adani Airports Holding Limited is reshaping the aviation landscape, transforming airports into dynamic hubs of connectivity, innovation, and service excellence. By prioritizing passenger experience, leveraging state-of-the-art technology, and enhancing operational efficiency, we are redefining airport infrastructure across India. Our vision is to create world-class airports that serve as gateways to regional development and global connectivity, positioning Adani Airports as a leader in the aviation sector with a focus on sustainable growth and community impact.

Job Purpose: Head - Design is responsible for leading and overseeing the development of innovative and sustainable design concepts that enhance airport infrastructure and passenger experiences. This role involves strategic planning, team leadership, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to ensure design excellence and alignment with business goals. By leveraging industry best practices and advanced technologies, the Head of Design aims to create flexible, future-ready environments that optimize operational efficiency and support the airport's growth and sustainability objectives.

Functional Competencies

• Overall years of experience shall be minimum 20 years; minimum 10 recent years in Airports & rest in large scale infrastructure projects
• Experience in planning & design management of terminals – Passenger, GA, VVIP and ATC Complex with an Airport Operator / as Airport Operator's representative – lifecycle spanning from project initiation till launch and successful operations is a must to have
• Served as Head of Design for team size of minimum 10nos. in the recent 8 years and implemented necessary systems and processes for design review for quality assurance
• Greenfield project development experience in Airports is a must to have
• Scale of Terminal projects involved is minimum 20 million pax capacity
• Innovation design thinking & practice featuring sustainability & technology advancements in modern aviation is preferred
• Experience with globally renowned iconic Airport structures at or equivalent to Changi / Heathrow Airport, etc. is an advantage
• Exhibits sense of aesthetics and a visionary of look & feel of all high-end architectural & interior finishes
• Experience in handling the regulator & stakeholders is preferred
• Design reflections on Passenger-first, Revenue maximization, Operational efficiency, Security-tight, Maintenance friendly, etc.
• Adaptation to Adani's growing Airport's business portfolio & its dynamics
• LEED AP- Sustainability, and or climate adaptation experience preferred
• Conversant with applicable local and international statutory norms, regulations, etc.
• Registered Architect to COA

Key Accountabilities

Strategy

• Benchmark industry best practices, trends and develop the design concepts to make the airport flexible and future ready
• Identify key business drivers to maximize revenue and develop strategic plans for positive impact to business
• Lead and develop an in-house design management team that will enable a high quality of design delivery
• Selects, appoints, and engages with local / global consultants / consortia of consultants responsible for carrying out required design scope
• Engage with Senior Leadership for design presentations along with respective consultants / Consortia of consultants

Operations

• Lead the team in generating design delivery strategies, and system improvements. Assess and mitigate strengths and weaknesses of teams within the design dept.
• Create systems and implement review mechanisms for progressive inputs on Design consultant's drawings in coordination with in-house MEP design team & design specifications
• Drive the implementation of SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) including defining TATs (Turn Around Time) for all activities to ensure consistency, seamless integration, timely deliveries, and standardization of activities
• Develop close interaction with internal stakeholders to enable interdepartmental goals, objectives, and timely deliverables
• Develop Look-ahead scenarios to ensure timely course corrections critical for dept. operations
• Responsible to ensure timely and accurate deliveries by the department, taking cognizance of other internal customer and stakeholder requirements.
• Conduct regular mission-meetings to ensure work is in progress as scheduled, ascertain future slippages and initiate corrective actions in advance and monitor the same for implementation
• Ensure timely resolution of queries and concerns raised by stakeholders regarding design
• Work tandem with sourcing team to ascertain new products and develop real time data-based for constant improvement
• Track project progress in Design Review meetings, Internal Review meetings, Monthly Progress Reviews, Design dept internal review meetings
• Generate reports and give presentations across departments and to CEO's Office regarding design delivery
• Ensure design is in line with stakeholder requirements. Alternative proposals / new technologies shall be substantiated with detailed life cycle estimates and technical merits / de-merits of the system cost impact

Financials

• Ensure adherence of Design to Project Budget and Estimates
• Constant vigil over design changes and timely discussions to ensure adherence to approved budget
• Monitor budget overruns and manage P&L of the design department

Key Stakeholders - Internal:

Chief Executive Officer - CSD

Chief Planning & Design Officer - airports

Chief Project Officer - CPO

Project Director at respective assets

Senior Management of the Group

CPAG Team

PMAG

PPC Team

Planning Team

Environment and Sustainability Teams

Engineering and Maintenance Teams

Business Development Team

Legal and Compliance Teams

Finance and Budgeting Teams

Key Stakeholders - External:

Urban Planning Authorities

Real Estate Developers

Design and business Consultants

Construction Contractors

Environmental Regulatory Bodies

Community Representatives

Education Qualification:

A Master's degree in Urban Design, Architecture, or a related field is preferred.

Certifications such as PMP (Project Management Professional) and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) are advantageous. Certifications available in India include NICMAR's Project Management Certification and IGBC's Accredited Professional Certification.

Work Experience:

18+ years of experience in architectural design and urban planning

Experience in Greenfield project development.

Masters / Certification course in Airports Planning & Design is preferred and not a requirement

Experience in planning & design management of mixed use development, hotels, retail mall, offices, convention centres, terminals and ATC.