Lead Architect

Bridges creative concept and final delivery by leading the design team, coordinating multi-disciplinary engineering, and ensuring strict compliance with Abu Dhabi authorities to deliver high-quality, buildable projects on schedule.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural design direction from concept to completion.
• Ensure the design meets client requirements, authority regulations, budget, and project objectives.
• Review and guide architectural layouts, elevations, sections, details, materials, and finishes.
• Manage architects, draftsmen, BIM modelers, and junior designers.
• Distribute tasks and monitor daily progress.
• Review team output before submission to the Project Manager or client.
• Coordinate with structural, MEP, infrastructure, landscape, and interior design teams.
• Ensure architectural drawings are aligned with all engineering disciplines.
• Resolve design clashes and coordination issues.
• Ensure drawings comply with ADM/DMT, Civil Defense, Estidama, accessibility, fire safety, and other authority requirements.
• Support authority submissions and respond to comments.
• Coordinate with the authority/NOC team when required.
• Review architectural drawings, specifications, schedules, and details.
• Ensure drawings are complete, coordinated, buildable, and technically correct.
• Check compliance with project standards and company quality procedures.
• Client and Consultant Coordination
• Attend design meetings with clients, consultants, contractors, and stakeholders.
• Present design options and technical solutions.
• Record and follow up on architectural action items.
• Prepare and manage architectural deliverables according to the project schedule.
• Support concept design, schematic design, detailed design, tender, and construction stages.
• Ensure submissions are issued on time and in the required format.
• Conduct internal reviews before submissions.
• Ensure consistency between drawings, specifications, schedules, and BOQ.
• Maintain company standards for drawing quality and documentation.
• Report design progress, risks, delays, and coordination issues to the Project Manager or Technical Director.
• Highlight required decisions, missing information, or scope changes.
• Support project planning and resource allocation.

Requirements

• 15+ years of experience in architectural design, preferably within an engineering consultancy
• Proficiency in architectural design from concept to IFC.
• Strong understanding of construction methods, materials, and building codes.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary team.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.