Project Director-Architecture

About the Role

The Project Director – Architecture role is responsible for leading the delivery of a major, highly complex, master‑planned, multi‑discipline development. The position requires deep expertise in large‑scale mixed‑use communities that combine residential, hospitality, commercial, recreational, cultural and educational facilities, and it demands strategic, technical, commercial and people leadership across the entire project lifecycle. Key responsibilities include strategic and commercial leadership to achieve regional financial and growth targets, shaping business‑group strategy, and overseeing commercial governance such as fee strategy, scope and risk management. The director will also provide program and project delivery oversight from master planning through handover, establish robust governance and risk frameworks, and manage interfaces among architecture, engineering, landscape, infrastructure, sustainability and specialist consultants. Technical and design leadership involves acting as the technical lead on high‑profile projects, maintaining design intent, championing innovative design approaches, digital tools and emerging technologies, and leveraging solutions across the region. The role also requires senior‑level client, stakeholder and authority engagement, representing GHD at forums, and providing day‑to‑day people leadership including resource planning, performance management, mentoring and fostering a high‑performance, collaborative culture. • Drive strategic and commercial performance to meet regional financial and growth targets. • Shape business‑group strategy, market positioning and capability development for major opportunities. • Govern commercial aspects including fee strategy, scope management, change control, risk and margin performance. • Lead design strategy, resourcing and program inputs for bids and pursuits. • Direct large, multi‑discipline teams to deliver mixed‑use developments from concept through handover. • Ensure projects achieve time, cost, quality, safety and regulatory objectives. • Implement robust project governance, reporting, risk management and decision‑making frameworks. • Coordinate architecture with engineering, landscape, infrastructure, sustainability and specialist consultants. • Provide technical leadership, maintain design intent and champion innovative design and digital tools. • Act as senior advisor to clients, joint‑venture partners, government entities and regulatory authorities. • Represent GHD at client, authority and industry forums to strengthen relationships and reputation. • Manage people through resource planning, performance management, mentoring, succession and capability development. • Foster a high‑performance, collaborative culture that encourages innovation and accountability. • Ensure compliance with UAE regulations, quality management systems, health‑safety standards and ethical obligations. • Leverage BIM, data‑driven design and integrated project delivery methodologies.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸strategic leadership
• ▸commercial governance
• ▸design leadership
• ▸bim integration
• ▸client advisory
• ▸project governance

What You Bring

Candidates must have 20+ years of industry experience, with at least 8‑10 years in the UAE or GCC, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture, professional registration and preferably a project management certification. Strong consultancy background, deep knowledge of UAE planning and building regulations, commercial acumen, experience with BIM and integrated delivery, and proven ability to lead large, geographically dispersed, multi‑discipline teams are essential.

Requirements

• ▸20+ years
• ▸uae experience
• ▸architecture degree
• ▸professional registration
• ▸bim
• ▸project management

Work Environment

Office Full-Time