senior associate

Head of Architecture

Location: Dubai, UAE

Reporting to: Principal Director

Company: Leading Multi-Disciplinary Design Studio

Salary: 55,000 - 60,000

4 days in the office, 1 from home.

Overview

We are looking for a visionary and accomplished Head of Architecture to take the helm of our clients Architectural Design division in Dubai. This is a key senior leadership role, charged with shaping the creative direction, enhancing operational performance, and driving the commercial growth of the architectural function.

As both a strategic thinker and creative champion, the Head of Architecture will lead a multidisciplinary team in delivering bold, thoughtful, and high-impact design solutions. The role demands a seasoned professional with a strong architectural foundation, a track record of successfully managing complex projects, and a passion for mentoring and developing talent.

This is more than a leadership position—it’s an opportunity to act as the driving force behind the architectural unit. You’ll take full ownership of its creative vision, financial outcomes, and team culture, ensuring consistent excellence across all projects.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead and manage the architectural business unit, ensuring clarity of vision, direction, and performance.
• Champion the studio’s design ethos and quality standards, setting a benchmark for design excellence across all projects.
• Inspire, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team including architects, Revit specialists, and post-contract coordination staff.
• Regularly assess and improve internal workflows, tools, and processes for continuous improvement and innovation.

Project Oversight

• Take full ownership of all architectural design projects and LDC (Lead Design Consultant) appointments.
• Ensure seamless project delivery aligned with high-quality standards, timelines, and budgets.
• Allocate resources effectively, with support from senior team members, to balance workload and deliverables across multiple projects.
• Oversee design documentation and technical quality in accordance with local and international standards.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, and partners throughout the region.
• Lead high-level design presentations and represent the studio in client meetings and project interviews.
• Contribute to business development by identifying new opportunities, nurturing leads, and supporting proposals and fee negotiations.
• Participate in monthly visits to key regional markets including Abu Dhabi and Riyadh to support client relationships and team coordination.

Operational & Commercial Performance

• Monitor performance metrics, KPIs, and commercial targets to ensure the studio exceeds its financial and operational goals.
• Lead and support resource planning, recruitment, and collaboration decisions (insourcing/outsourcing) to ensure efficient project delivery.
• Proactively manage design changes or variations throughout project lifecycles.

Team Development

• Foster a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Ensure all team members are aligned with their roles, KPIs, and career development plans.
• Identify and create growth opportunities, promotions, and performance recognition across the team.

Key Skills & Experience

• Professionally qualified Architect with 10+ years of experience across Corporate, Retail, Residential, Hospitality, and/or Entertainment projects.
• Demonstrated experience in leading design teams and delivering turnkey architectural solutions.
• Proven ability to inspire, manage, and grow high-performing creative teams.
• Strong technical knowledge and ability to review and approve detailed design documentation.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic thinker with a proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Comfortable managing large-scale and multi-disciplinary projects within a fast-paced, client-facing environment.

Technical Proficiency

• Proficiency in:
• Revit (Leadership-level knowledge)
• AutoCAD
• Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop)
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)