Associate Architect Conceptual

Construction careers don't get better than this exciting new opportunity for Architects. Our client, a boutique multi award winning progressive architectural practice is looking to appoint a top calibre Associate Architect - Conceptual to join their team and take on a leadership role across multiple projects. 

Project Details

• The Associate Architect, Design Lead serves as the visionary force on major projects, guiding concept design from initial idea to refined proposal.
• As the principal designer for competitions, they drive the creative process, crafting bold architectural concepts that respond thoughtfully to program and context.
• They bring deep expertise in design theory and a forward-thinking mindset, often introducing cutting-edge ideas or forms that give the team a competitive edge.
• Working closely with creative designers, computational specialists, and visual artists, the Design Lead ensures each concept is innovative yet coherent, aligning with the firm’s highest standards.
• They also mentor junior designers in pursuing design excellence, instilling a rigorous approach so that every project’s narrative is compelling, aesthetically striking, and technically credible – reflective of true world-class design leadership.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Leads the daily operations and design production of the unit
• Translates the strategic vision into organized tasks, timelines, and workflows
• Guides the team through ideation, development, and refinement phases
• Supervises internal design charrettes, sketch development, and iterative concept testing
• Reviews and coordinates early Rhino models, diagrams, and visual narratives
• Manages team meetings, internal milestones, and resource allocation
• Serves as the main point of contact for cross-functional coordination; e.g. visualization, technical development
• Ensures the project progresses with momentum, design clarity, and alignment

Desired Skills and Experience

• Minimum 14 years post graduate experience
• Have succeeded as a Senior Architect and have profound team management experience on a series of complex large-scale mixed-use, cultural, civic and hospitality projects through all stages of design to construction.
• You are able to synergise ambitious architectural concepts and sound technical solutions and are a clear and precise communicator.
• You bring extensive expertise in construction drawing and detailing, are well versed in building systems, materials and products, and demonstrate a profound knowledge of practice and industry standards and codes and are interested in technical advancement and innovation.
• You thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, enjoy imparting your knowledge and contributing to multiple teams, and have exemplary time management and delivery skills.
• You are skilled in AutoCAD, and possess working knowledge of Rhino, ideally also of Maya.
• You are fluent in English and other business level language skills a plus.
• Leading multiple projects independently
• Proven experience managing stakeholders including client relations
• Proven experience in project management and reporting project performance
• Strong understanding of building construction, codes and regulations, and obligations of architect of record.  Provides guidance to the team.
• Experience in innovative practices locally or internationally or reputable local practices

• An enthusiasm for design and the built environment, innovative concepts and sustainability
• An ambitious personality, capable of achieving
• Agility – flexible, addresses obstacles and is pro-active in finding rapid solutions
• Resilience
• Able to lead teams
• multi-task
• Able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Communicates with clarity, purpose and accuracy.
• Able to manage up as well as manage the team
• Effectively delegates tasks, responsibility and authority, and helps others to solve problems themselves

• Has empathy
• Leads by example
• Integrity – creates trust though honest and consistent behavior, keeps commitments
• Respectful of gender and cultural differences
• Encourages open and straightforward communication
• Open to other points of view
• Plans and conducts effective meetings
• Hands-on and proactive
• Clear communicator

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• Degree educated – Bachelor degree in Architecture – Masters desirable

Employing Company Overview and Profile

Architectural recruitment continues apace in the UAE! Our client is a multi-award-winning progressive boutique architectural practice which operates a critical design approach producing projects that are culturally robust, environmentally friendly and place sensitive.

Additional Benefits Package and Incentives

A competitive all inclusive salary package is available for the best available talent in the market place with a very attractive bonus scheme for high achievers!