Dubai, UAE
Head design architect
at Kleindienst Group
Kleindienst Group is looking for a head design architect with European visa to join its team in Dubai, UAE.
Job purpose
The head design architect is responsible for developing and managing all aspects of our design and creative output. It’s a leadership role, with accountability for online and offline design output and commercial success of the design and creative department. You will ensure design and creative deliverables are aligned to client expectations and executed within budget and timescales. It also involves working with clients, pitching designs, and understanding client needs. At times, we require you to develop visual designs, and at other times, be responsible for recruiting and managing multi-disciplinary third-party suppliers as well as internal design resources. It will involve you using your best practice toolkit to implement new processes and practices to improve efficiency of the design and creative department.
Job description:
- development of conceptual design solutions to the design problems and parameters agreed with the client and as contained in the brief together with providing assistance to the project leader and director in the presentation of those solutions to the client
- development and maintenance of a reputation and acceptance, both outside and within FEC as a skilled and innovative designer. To keep abreast of developments in design techniques and trend
- acting as a mentor to other designers within their studio
- undertaking thorough research of both the client’s needs and requirements and other similar or related projects to gain a full understanding of the design problems and parameters
- assisting the director in the formulation of the client brief for the project in conjunction with the client
- prepare specifications, schedules, drawings and any other contract documents developed through the RIBA stages
- in producing the conceptual design solution, awareness of and response to the strategic, financial and time planning for the project
- marketing FEC’s design expertise on the project and for that studio and assistance in the raising of FEC’s reputation for design excellence
- preparation of conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction documents and supporting materials
- to assist the director and project leader in the formulation of the client brief and then to undertake the management of the schematic design process
- to provide leadership to the project team and to undertaking an ongoing review of subsequent stages of the project to ensure that the integrity of the agreed design solutions are maintained particularly with regard to development of the design and late variations to the design brief
- professional expertise recognised within studio
- building and maintaining client relationships
- industry knowledge and awareness of trends
- manage and deliver projects on time, to budget and specification
- discuss the objectives, requirements and budget of a project
- consult with other professionals about the design of an environment
- prepare and present feasibility reports and design proposals to the client
- advise the client on the practicality of their project
- negotiate with contractors and other professionals
- prepare applications for planning and building control departments
- prepare tender documents for contracts
- project managing and helping to coordinate the work of contractors
- control a project from start to finish
- regular site visits to check on progress, ensuring that the project is running on time and to budget
- resolve problems and issues that arise during construction
- ensure that the environmental impact of the project is managed
- prepare design solutions that meet a clients brief
- advanced knowledge of architectural practice
- liaise with clients, professional organisations, contractors, suppliers, sub-contractors and other designers
- experience of making presentations and attending meetings with clients essential
- advanced knowledge of building materials, detailing, construction techniques, building systems selection, related engineering principles, sustainability strategies and building codes
- practical knowledge of space programming and functional adjacencies
- awareness of latest industry wide initiatives, technologies and processes in the architecture and construction community
- practical understanding of the application of digital tools such as AutoCAD, Revit, 3ds Max, SketchUp
- plan, schedule, organise and execute distinct portions of larger projects; or entire scope of smaller projects, with limited oversight from a director
- provide technical design input and support for the development of the entire design concept for the assigned work under a director
- with limited supervision, responsible for a project’s or an assigned portion of a project’s technical design effort, subsequent detailed design development, project coordination and quality control efforts during all phases of project work in close collaboration with a senior designer
- develop thorough understanding of design philosophy of projects and provide major input in developing a design and building performance strategy relative to assigned task or area of responsibility and can effectively convey this to assigned team members when appropriate
- assist with the planning, scheduling and organisation of a project relative to technical design efforts and processes in collaboration with senior project team
- seek creative and innovative solutions to assigned tasks and develops appropriate research and documentation to support these solutions
- drive collaborative relationships with consultants and knowledge resources to ensure that deliverables are coordinated, integrated and support the performance goals of the project
- contribute to preparation of design documents and lead the detailed development of construction documents during all project phases
- lead the review of design and construction documents in order to confirm compliance with the contract deliverables
- proactively check and coordinate project documents (including but not limited to drawing set organisation, details, dimensions, interdisciplinary coordination items, specifications coordination, etc.) and is responsible for quality control of such tasks in accordance with FEC’s quality control program
- proactively check, coordinate and integrate work with other project team members who are working on adjacent or otherwise relevant project areas that may not be in the assigned task area
- perform and/or direct material and building systems research and participate in the coordination and preparation of project specifications
- coordinate and develop response to contractor questions, inquiries, RFI’s etc. and supervise fellow team members and direct reports to that end
- prepare punch-lists and field observation reports and supervise fellow team members and direct reports to that end
- make appropriate value judgments with respect to field corrective work that supports the design concept and performance goals of the project
- oversee project document control tasks and maintain quality control of such tasks in accordance with FEC’s quality control program
- demonstrate detailed knowledge of local office standards, policies and procedures and direct others in the use of those resources
- demonstrate leadership with other senior technical design team members on assigned project in
- terms of implementing FEC standard procedures and protocols to assure continuity and consistency of project documentation across the firm in support of overall firm wide goals
- participate in the development of local office standards, policies, and procedures
- seek to build an external presence at industry events, conferences, organizations and beyond
- identify and meet effectively the requirements and expectations of clients needs
- qualified architects with a demonstrated interest in master planning and concept design for global industrial clients
- highly motivated individual
- excellent communication skills in written and spoken English, able to inspire, influence and negotiate
This description reflects the core activities of the role but is not intended to be all-inclusive and other duties within the company may be required in addition to changes in the emphasis of duties as required from time to time. There is a requirement for the post holder to recogniae this and adopt a flexible approach to work.
Job descriptions will be reviewed regularly and where necessary revised in accordance with organisational needs. Any major changes will be discussed with the individual.
Qualifications and experience
Minimum qualifications: BE/B.Tech architects
Minimum experience: 15 plus years
Skills
To become a successful architectural design head, should have experience in all necessary software skills like AutoCAD, Photoshop, MS Office, InDesign, SketchUp, Revit preferred, state and local building administrative codes relating to building projects, knowledge of modern architectural methods and background on solving architectural design and construction problems. Important skills for this managerial position include good written and oral communication skills, decision-making and problem-solving skills, administrative and management skills; leadership and interpersonal skills, advanced computer knowledge, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.