Design Manager

Job Title

Discipline Lead - Architecture

Department

Design

Reports To

Managing Partner

Position Purpose

The Discipline Lead – Architecture is the strategic and technical authority for all architectural services within my client. This senior leadership role oversees design quality, team capability, delivery standards, and discipline growth. The Discipline Lead sets the architectural vision, ensures technical excellence across all projects, drives innovation, and represents the architecture function with clients, partners, and industry stakeholders. The role provides high‑level leadership, expert guidance, and governance for the architectural discipline, ensuring best‑in-class design outcomes and alignment with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Discipline Management

• Define and lead the architectural vision, standards, and strategic roadmap for the discipline.
• Establish and maintain design quality benchmarks, technical protocols, and best‑practice processes.
• Shape resource planning, talent strategy, succession planning, and recruitment for the architecture team.
• Develop discipline-wide initiatives to enhance productivity, capability, and design innovation.
• Lead cross-disciplinary design integration and promote collaborative project delivery.
• Support, guide and develop our remote engineering hub located in India.

2. Design Excellence & Technical Oversight

• Serve as the ultimate design authority, reviewing and approving conceptual and technical design outputs.
• Provide expert direction on complex architectural issues, codes, regulations, and technical challenges.
• Champion innovative, sustainable, and buildable design solutions aligned with project and client objectives.
• Guide the development and adoption of advanced digital design tools, BIM workflows, and emerging technologies.

3. Site Supervision & Construction Phase Leadership

• Provide senior-level oversight of all architectural site activities to ensure construction aligns with approved designs, specifications, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead architectural site reviews, technical inspections, and coordination meetings with contractors, consultants, and client representatives.
• Resolve complex site‑related design issues through timely guidance, technical decisions, and coordinated solutions.
• Ensure that architectural RFIs, shop drawings, material submissions, and mock-ups are reviewed accurately and efficiently by the team.
• Monitor buildability, workmanship quality, and compliance with architectural intent throughout all construction phases.
• Escalate and address significant site risks, non-conformities, and design deviations, ensuring proper documentation and corrective actions.
• Mentor Senior Architects and site-based staff in best-practice site supervision, technical communication, and field decision-making.

4. Project Leadership & Governance

• Oversee architectural delivery across all projects, ensuring quality, consistency, and compliance with standards.
• Support project teams during concept development, detailed design, documentation, and construction phases.
• Provide escalation support for high-risk or high‑complexity design decisions.
• Participate in project reviews, design audits, and risk assessments to improve project outcomes.

5. Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the senior architectural representative in key client engagements, presentations, and negotiations.
• Build strong relationships with clients, consultants, authorities, and industry partners.
• Support business development efforts, including proposal development, fee structuring, and design positioning.
• Promote the company’s architectural capability within the market and broader design community.

6. People Leadership & Mentorship

• Lead, inspire, and coach the architectural team, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and creativity.
• Provide structured mentorship and professional development for Senior Architects, Architects, and Designers.
• Promote knowledge sharing, training initiatives, and continuous professional growth across the discipline.
• Encourage innovation and empower team members to propose and explore new design approaches.

7. Operational & Commercial Contribution

• Contribute to business planning, financial performance targets, and discipline-specific KPIs.
• Support project resourcing, budget oversight, and design delivery efficiency.
• Ensure architectural inputs align with commercial objectives, risk frameworks, and contractual requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen operational performance.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture.
• Minimum 12–15 years of architectural experience, including significant senior leadership responsibility.
• Demonstrated leadership of large, complex, multidisciplinary design projects.
• Proven ability to lead and scale high-performing architectural teams.
• Track record of design excellence across commercial, hospitality, mixed-use, or institutional sectors.
• GCC experience advantageous but not essential.
• Professional licensure/registration preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Expert technical and design capability across all project stages.
• Strong strategic thinking and ability to lead at both project and organizational levels.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and client communication skills.
• Proven leadership, motivation, and team-building abilities.
• Mastery of Revit, BIM workflows, and contemporary digital design tools.
• Strong understanding of sustainability frameworks and emerging industry trends.
• High-level problem solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution capabilities.
• Ability to balance design quality, project delivery efficiency, and commercial performance.