Associate Director

Egis; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy in architecture seeks an experienced professional to lead project oversight and delivery in Dubai. Ideal candidates must possess a professional degree in architecture, with a minimum of 19 years of experience, including at least 9 years in the region. Responsibilities include managing multidisciplinary teams, driving design development, and maintaining client relationships. The firm values strong leadership and excellent communication skills to foster collaboration and ensure project success.

Qualifications

• Minimum 19 years of experience in architectural design consultancy.
• At least 9 years of local/regional experience in design development.
• Strong grounding in architectural principles and practices.
• Thorough knowledge of local and international building codes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design development and successful delivery of projects.
• Manage project teams across large-scale projects.
• Coordinate with Project Control and PM teams for reporting.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.

Skills

Architectural design consultancy

BIM workflows

Client management

Project leadership

Communication skills

Education

Professional degree in Architecture

Job description

About Us

Egis is an international player active in architecture, consulting, construction engineering and mobility services. We create and operate intelligent infrastructures and buildings that respond to the climate emergency and contribute to more balanced, sustainable and resilient territorial development. Operating in 100 countries, Egis puts the expertise of its 20,500 employees at the service of its clients and develops cutting‑edge innovations accessible to all projects. Through its wide range of activities, Egis is a key player in the collective organisation of society and the living environment of citizens all over the world.

With 3,500 employees across 8 countries in the Middle East, Egis has delivered over 700 complex development projects, stimulating economic growth and enhancing quality of life. Ranked among the top ten firms in the Middle East by Engineering News Record (ENR), Egis is committed to sustainable development. The Group’s operations in the Middle East are built on strategic acquisitions and a deep understanding of local market conditions. Egis has long history of providing comprehensive engineering, consulting, and project management services makes it a trusted partner for regional governments, investors, and developers

About the Role

Project Oversight & Delivery

• Lead the design development and successful delivery of projects while continuously monitoring overall project health.
• Manage project teams and resources across large‑scale projects or defined scopes within complex developments.
• Drive effective team coordination through regular client meetings, issue‑focused workshops, internal reviews, and interdepartmental collaboration.

Project Control & Reporting

• Coordinate closely with Project Control and Project Management (PC/PM) teams to develop and maintain dashboards, design management plans, project execution strategies, and progress reports.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting (daily, weekly, and monthly) to proactively identify risks, bottlenecks, and scheduling conflicts.
• Monitor project performance, resources, and expenditures against approved plans to maintain schedule and budget compliance.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Maintain strong relationships with the client’s senior management, addressing and resolving stakeholder conflicts effectively.
• Provide leadership throughout project execution to sustain positive working relationships with sub‑consultants, internal teams, project managers, and clients.
• Ensure all external interactions reflect the highest professional and ethical standards.

Quality Management

• Lead the implementation of the company’s quality management systems across all project activities.
• Promote quality awareness and conduct regular (monthly) QA/QC reviews.
• Identify, address, and resolve non‑conformances while ensuring preventative measures are implemented.
• Participate in biannual quality audits as required.

Team Leadership & Development

• Support career development through mentoring, performance management, and promotion planning.
• Foster a collaborative and high‑performing team culture aligned with project and organizational goals.
• Guide architects, senior architects, design managers, associates, and directors in achieving KPIs, quality standards, and performance targets.

Collaboration & Strategic Oversight

• Collaborate with other architectural practices within the organization to coordinate workloads, align project stages, and ensure delivery excellence.
• Advise senior management on operational improvements, risk mitigation strategies, and strategic financial matters, including cash flow and collections.

Financial Coordination

• Provide timely and accurate project updates to the accounts team to support invoicing and facilitate prompt payment collection.
• Undertake additional responsibilities as assigned by the Managing Principal and Managing Directors in accordance with company policies.

Business Development & Partnerships

• Identify, assess, and pursue new business opportunities aligned with the company’s strategic objectives.
• Lead deal execution activities, including partner prioritization, strategic and financial analysis, deal structuring, negotiation, and implementation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior executives within partner and client organizations.
• Act as a local architectural representative, protecting and promoting the company’s brand and market presence.

What do we need from you

Key Requirements & Qualifications

• Professional degree in Architecture (Bachelor’s or Master’s) from an accredited institution (mandatory).
• Minimum 19 years of experience in architectural design consultancy, including at least 9 years of local/regional experience.
• At least 9 years of experience in design development and documentation within an architectural consultancy environment.
• Strong grounding in architectural principles and practices, with comprehensive knowledge of the design and construction industry.
• General understanding of BIM workflows and methodologies.
• Thorough knowledge of local and international building codes, building materials, and product standards.
• Broad understanding of related disciplines, including MEP systems, master planning, infrastructure, landscape, interior design (ID), and stakeholder coordination.
• Proven experience managing large, multidisciplinary design teams, demonstrating strong leadership and coordination skills.
• Experience delivering high‑profile international projects, including (but not limited to):
• Hospitality developments
• High‑rise residential buildings
• Hospitals
• Family Entertainment Centers (FECs)
• Science museums
• Shopping malls
• Mixed‑use developments
• Active involvement in organizational and business processes, including:
• Staff interviews, mentoring, and performance evaluations
• Technical input for bidding processes
• RFP evaluations and bid/no‑bid decision‑making
• Demonstrated ability to develop design systems and processes that enhance quality and efficiency, including templates and shared resources for global office use.
• Excellent communication, client management, and leadership skills, with the ability to build trust and alignment across diverse stakeholders.
• Membership with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) or the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is preferred.