Job Description

Overview

KEO is a creative enterprise, where innovation is a way of life. We are uniquely resourced with end-to-end services to take clients from inspiration - through conceptualization - to realization of planning, design or project delivery in the built and natural environments. For over 57 years we have led with vision, contributing to many of the world's most ambitious projects, iconic places, remarkable experiences and prosperous communities.

As a highly integrated and agile AEP/PMCM firm, KEO is ranked by ENR in the Top 225 International Design Firms; in the Top 20 International PM/CM Firms; and by World Architecture as 50th largest global architecture firm and #1 Firm in the Middle East Region in their 2021 WAS 100 Survey.

We invite you to join us.

Our newest opportunity is for a dynamic Director - Architecture, to join our award-winning team based in Dubai. We are flexible to have this position based in either UAE, Qatar, KSA or Kuwait. The Director - Architecture, will be responsible for ensuring profitable development, performance and growth for KEO through the application of good business and management practices relating to the operations of the Architecture Department. The role leads the department and ensures the highest quality of technical delivery by all staff within the Architecture Department in the region.

Responsibilities

We envisage success in this role to include;

• Developing and maintaining positive professional relations whenever dealing with current and prospective Clients.
• Actively participating with marketing and business development activities as requested, including coordination of technical and financial inputs.
• Ensuring execution of projects with the best outcome in terms of Client satisfaction and Company returns through appropriate selection, assignment, utilization and management of architectural staff.
• Planning, leading, organizing and controlling operations of the Architecture Department to ensure project execution in accordance with agreed project plans established by the designated Project Manager for the project.
• Providing design guidance and technical oversight to the Architecture Staff engaged in design and documentation of projects, in support of the designated Project Manager for project.
• Ensuring implementation of project specific quality assurance and control procedures to ensure all product produced by the Architecture Department meets high international standards.
• Alerting the Managing Director and or the Operations Principal of any situation under the responsibility of the Architecture Department Head likely to prevent a project from achieving targets in Client satisfaction, on time delivery or internal budgets.
• Ensuring all Architecture Staff understand and apply all Company policies and procedures.
• Liaising and coordinate with the other Departments and Divisions for project support.
• Developing mutual respect of staff, maintains staff morale and discipline and with the Technical Leader, identifies any training requirements.
• Providing leadership in the exchange of knowledge relating to best, current international practice and in identification and analysis of new technology and trends in the field of Architecture.
• Establishing and maintaining controls for utilization and productivity of the Architecture Staff in conjunction with senior Department staff; reports to the Managing Director and Operations Principal on surplus or demands and make recommendations regarding the recruitment of or reduction in Architecture staff.
• Responsible for the recruitment activities through review of applications and CVs, discusses and agree course of action with Operations Principal, conducts interviews and report to Managing Director.
• Monitoring the technical and professional capabilities and competencies of all staff within the Architecture Department, recommend course for action to improve individual and group capabilities.
• Considering abilities of the senior Staff to manage within project and the Department office environments and recommend course for action to improve management capabilities.
• Establishes, in conjunction with the designated Project Manager, a work plan for integration of the Architecture Department activities into the execution of projects through an agreed outline of scope, deliverables, standards, schedule and resource/responsibility plan.
• Reviewing and monitoring the implementation of quality assurance and control procedures for each project through establishing a project-specific plan for implementation relative to the Architecture Department activities, and inter-disciplinary coordination, at the outset of the project with designated responsibilities for particular project staff.
• Reviewing and analyzing project financial performance parameters pertaining to the Architecture Department operations, reports if likely that target returns will not be met, and recommends most favorable course for action relative to particular projects or general operations.
• Participating with scheduled and ad hoc reviews of technical performance of teams and individual staff in normal course of project delivery.
• Monitoring use of technical resources and tools, and supplement as appropriate to improve technical operations and standards, and ensure there is a viable library of resources available for use by Architecture staff.
• Providing reports as required by the Operations Principal to outline status and plans for action regarding resources utilization, recruitment, staff and organizational issues, Client issues, and other matters relating to operations and growth of the Architecture Department.

Qualifications

To be successful in this dynamic opportunity, we envisage that you will bring at least 25 years of relevant international and local experience in delivering high-end and complex engineering projects, from concept through detailed design to completion of construction. Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Architecture and Licensed as a Professional Architect by an internationally recognized engineering association/body.

• Requires in-depth knowledge of financial terms and principles. Ability to calculate complex figures. Ability to forecast and prepare budgets. Conducts financial/business analysis including the preparation of reports.
• Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite. Proficiency in Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture, Revit Architecture, Sketchup and PhotoShop, Illustrator and In-Design.
• Middle East experience will be an advantage.

KEO's performance is founded upon integrity, results, innovation, safety and our people. We embrace diversity and recognize its' contribution to client success wherever we work.

We are excited to hear how you can partner with our award-winning team and treat all expressions of interest in complete confidentiality.