Director of Architecture & Engineering📣 Job Ad

Director of Architecture & Engineering at KEO Group

KEO Group, an integrated AEP/PMCM firm with over 60 years of experience in planning, design, and project delivery, is seeking a Director of Architecture & Engineering. This full-time position is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and will join our award-winning Design team. The role involves leading architectural operations and contributing to ambitious projects within the built and natural environments.

Role Purpose and Scope

The Director of Architecture & Engineering is responsible for planning, leading, organizing, and controlling the operations of the Architecture Department. This includes ensuring project execution aligns with established plans and international quality standards, fostering positive client relationships, and actively participating in business development. The role provides design guidance and technical oversight to architectural staff, ensuring departmental efficiency and professional growth.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain positive professional relations with current and prospective clients.
• Participate in marketing and business development activities, including coordination of technical and financial inputs.
• Ensure project execution achieves client satisfaction and company returns through appropriate staff selection, assignment, utilization, and management.
• Provide design guidance and technical oversight to architectural staff engaged in project design and documentation.
• Ensure implementation of project-specific quality assurance and control procedures to meet high international standards.
• Alert the Director of A&E Services to any situations that may prevent projects from achieving targets in client satisfaction, on-time delivery, or internal budgets.
• Ensure all Architecture Staff understand and apply company policies and procedures.
• Liaise and coordinate with other departments and divisions for project support.
• Develop mutual respect for staff, maintain staff morale and discipline, and identify training requirements with the Technical Leader.
• Ensure adequate administrative support, technical resources, and systems for information, document, and file management.
• Provide leadership in the exchange of knowledge relating to best current international practice and in the identification and analysis of new technology and trends in architecture.
• Establish and maintain controls for the utilization and productivity of architectural staff, reporting on surplus or demands and making recommendations for recruitment or reduction.
• Manage recruitment activities, including reviewing applications, conducting interviews, and reporting to the Director of A&E Services.
• Monitor the technical and professional capabilities of staff, recommending actions to improve individual and group competencies.
• Review and monitor the implementation of quality assurance and control procedures for each project.
• Analyze project financial performance parameters pertaining to Architecture Department operations, reporting on target returns and recommending favorable courses of action.
• Monitor the use of technical resources and tools, supplementing as appropriate to improve operations and standards, and ensure a viable library of resources is available.
• Establish good working relationships with senior Architecture and Management Staff in other KEO Offices to encourage cooperation and knowledge exchange.
• Provide reports as required by the Director of A&E Services outlining status and plans for action regarding resources, recruitment, staff, client issues, and departmental growth.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• 20+ years of relevant experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.
• AIA or RIBA certification.
• Licensed as a Professional Architect by an internationally recognized architectural association/body.
• Master's, PhD, or similar advanced degree is an advantage.
• LEED, ESTIDAMA, or PMP certification is an advantage.

About KEO Group

KEO Group is recognized by ENR as one of the Top 225 International Design Firms and one of the Top 20 International PM/CM Firms. World Architecture also ranks KEO as the 51st largest global architecture firm and the #1 Firm in the Middle East Region in their 2024 WA100 Survey. KEO fosters a supportive environment that promotes professional development and career growth.

Join Our Team

This full-time opportunity in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, offers a chance to contribute to KEO's legacy of delivering iconic projects and fostering prosperous communities. Qualified candidates are invited to apply.