Associate Manager - Graphic Design

Role Overview

Join Majid Al Futtaim Holding, the premier shopping mall, retail, communities, and entertainment developer and operator across the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. As an Associate Manager - Graphic Design, you will lead creative strategy and execution for a diverse portfolio of world-class assets, shaping visual identities that engage millions of visitors annually. This role offers the opportunity to drive brand consistency, mentor a talented design team, and deliver high-impact campaigns across digital, print, and environmental graphics.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee the creative direction for all graphic design initiatives across retail, leisure, and community destinations.
• Manage end-to-end design workflows from concept development through final production for marketing campaigns, signage, wayfinding, digital assets, and brand collateral.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders including Marketing, Brand, Retail Operations, and External Agencies to ensure visual alignment with corporate brand guidelines.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of graphic designers, providing constructive feedback and fostering a culture of creative excellence.
• Establish and maintain design systems, templates, and brand standards to ensure consistency and efficiency across all touchpoints.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing deliverables against tight deadlines while maintaining the highest quality standards.
• Stay ahead of regional and global design trends, incorporating innovative techniques and technologies into the creative process.
• Oversee vendor relationships and production management for print, signage, and large-format installations.
• Present design concepts and rationale to senior leadership, articulating strategic value and creative decisions.
• Ensure all creative output complies with brand guidelines, accessibility standards, and regional cultural considerations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Fine Arts, or related field.
• Minimum 7-9 years of professional graphic design experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership or senior designer capacity.
• Proven track record managing design projects for large-scale retail, hospitality, or real estate brands.
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects) and Figma/Sketch.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in brand identity, environmental graphics, digital design, and campaign development.
• Deep understanding of typography, color theory, layout principles, and print production processes.
• Experience managing design teams, including performance management, career development, and resource allocation.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present and defend design decisions to diverse audiences.
• Fluent in English; Arabic language proficiency is a strong advantage.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Master's degree in Design Management, MBA, or equivalent advanced qualification.
• Experience working within a multinational corporation or agency environment in the MENA region.
• Knowledge of motion graphics, 3D visualization (Cinema 4D, Blender), or UI/UX design principles.
• Familiarity with design operations (DesignOps) methodologies and creative project management tools (Asana, Monday.com, Jira).
• Background in wayfinding, environmental graphic design, or large-format signage systems.
• Understanding of Arabic typography and bilingual design requirements.

What Makes This Role Unique

This position sits at the intersection of creativity and commerce within one of the region's most dynamic conglomerates. You will shape the visual language of iconic destinations visited by millions, from Mall of Egypt and City Centre malls to VOX Cinemas and Magic Planet entertainment venues. The role offers exposure to a vast portfolio of brands, the autonomy to build design systems at scale, and the platform to influence customer experience across physical and digital realms. You will work within a culture that values innovation, diversity, and sustainable growth — backed by the resources and reach of a market leader.

Company Background

Majid Al Futtaim Holding was founded in 1992 and has since grown into the leading developer and operator of shopping malls, retail establishments, communities, and entertainment destinations across the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. The group operates 29 shopping malls, 13 hotels, and 4 mixed-use communities, welcoming over 600 million visitors annually. Its portfolio includes flagship assets such as Mall of the Emirates, Mall of Egypt, and City Centre malls, alongside leisure brands VOX Cinemas, Magic Planet, Ski Dubai, and Dreamscape. The company employs over 43,000 people and is committed to creating great moments for everyone, every day through sustainable, innovative, and customer-centric experiences.