Associate Facade

Inhabit; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Inhabit in Dubai is seeking a senior Associate to strengthen its façade engineering and design capabilities across the region. You will lead design, documentation, and compliance tasks for façade projects, mentor a team of up to five reports, and collaborate with multi-disciplinary professionals to deliver innovative, sustainable buildings.

The role emphasizes strategic management, client liaison, project oversight, and technical excellence within Inhabit’s global structure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Architecture or Engineering preferable
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in a facade role

Responsibilities

• Strategic Management and leadership of regional growth for façade engineering and design capabilities
• Financial management and budgeting oversight for projects
• Marketing and business development to expand client base in the region
• Staff management, mentoring, and training of up to 5 direct reports
• Client management and ensuring client satisfaction across projects
• Project management and coordination with design teams to deliver façade solutions
• Consultancy function including bid submissions and coordination with disciplines
• Technical excellence and ensuring QA across deliverables
• Personal growth and professional development of team members

Skills

Strategic Management

Financial Management

Marketing and Business Development

Staff Management

Client Management

Project Management

Consultancy Function

Technical Excellence

Personal Growth

Education

Bachelor of Architecture or Bachelor of Engineering

Job description

Inhabit

Inhabit is a unique, multi-disciplinary team of professionals who are passionate about making a positive contribution to our built environment.

We are a collective of experienced architects, designers, engineers and detailers who work both independently and in partnership to form a holistic approach to the services that we offer. We believe that our respective areas of expertise can be integrated to allow seamless interdisciplinary synergy to create buildings that are more relevant to our evolving society.

We are focused on design-led engineering, providing technical and comprehensive solutions that thoughtfully and creatively consider aesthetics, engineering, cost, procurement, and sustainability, driving towards a building that is sensitive and inspirational within its socio-cultural context.

Job Description

The Associate forms part of the engineering team within the global structure of the company and assumes general responsibilities that pro-actively contribute to the growth of Façade engineering and design capabilities across the globe. This includes responsibility for all design, engineering, documentation, administration and compliance with project constraints undertaken for Façade and all other disciplines. You may lead, develop, and manage a team of up to 5 direct reports, and may also need to fulfil any legal responsibilities commensurate with your position.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Management
• Financial Management
• Marketing and Business Development
• Staff Management, Mentoring and Training
• Client Management
• Project Management
• Consultancy Function
• Technical Excellence
• Personal Growth

Strategic Management

• Assist in developing the regional business plan aligned to Inhabit strategic plan, approved by the Regional Director. Assist in setting regional objectives and implementing strategies to achieve the business plan. Ensure staff are well informed and up to date on developments that affect them.
• Assist in undertaking regional future workforce planning and projects with an emphasis on growth and innovation.

Financial Management

• Assist in the development and implementation of annual budgets and ensure that adequate internal control mechanisms are in place.
• Monitor financial aspects of projects including monthly invoicing to ensure accuracy and debtor collection.
• Follow up with clients on overdue fees for debtors greater than 90 days.
• Assist in reviewing and monitoring monthly financial reports.
• Assist in managing business risks by following appropriate risk appraisal procedures prior to signing and after awarding any consulting commission.

Marketing and Business Development

• Maximise cross‑selling opportunities for Inhabit and prepare project proposals to support profit targets, including coordination of inputs from other disciplines.
• Conduct presentations of proposals for prospective clients and/or projects.
• Raise any challenges in competitive pricing across the region with the Regional Manager and propose solutions.
• Build and expand the client base of Inhabit based on both established, prospective and new client relationships secured in the region.
• Network within the industry to develop intelligence, define and implement strategies to meet any challenges.
• Ensure active participation in a broad range of client‑focused functions, networking events, conferences, seminars, committees, etc. to enhance the professional image of both the Associate and Inhabit.

Staff Management, Mentoring and Training

• Encourage and role‑model respectful, supportive and positive engagement and interactions across disciplines/support functions and all other Inhabit offices to support positive culture and drive engagement.
• Identify the deliverables, tasks and activities required for workload throughout all phases of the project to ensure adequate staff resourcing and tools are available to meet project deliverables and expectations.
• Provide technical leadership, guidance, mentoring and support, and build and oversee staff technical development to maintain standards and operate efficiently.
• Ensure staff are following Inhabit’s quality management system.
• Hold regular meetings with the Technical Team to discuss scheduling of work in a planned manner, including distribution of workload, resources, etc. to meet deliverables.
• Assist in setting objectives and standards for the expected performance of staff and encourage regular feedback discussions on project successes and challenges to capture lessons learned.
• Assist in conducting regular and effective Performance Reviews in accordance with Inhabits’ review system for your direct reports and provide ongoing/regular feedback to foster work performance improvements and promote professional growth of staff.
• Identify training needs of the team to increase their skill level, development and growth.
• Identify training opportunities, both internally and externally, including seminars, events, conferences, talks, university lectures, factory visits, construction phase training, etc., to assist with the development of the team and to address any knowledge and skill gaps.
• Encourage and promote Inhabit online materials, technical notes, technical library.
• Communicate regularly and proactively with Senior Management to assist in managing your work/lifestyle balance and that of your team.
• Ensure staff adhere to and are familiar with all Health and Safety requirements and safe work practices.

Client Management

• Communicate with clients to establish their needs and maintain a dialogue throughout the project.
• Monitor feedback from clients and develop and implement action plans for continuous improvement.
• Identify and implement ways to enhance current service offerings, systems and processes from a client and business perspective to maximise Inhabit’s competitive advantage.
• Identify and implement ways to enhance internal systems, processes and procedures to improve client satisfaction.
• Be a role model for exceptional client response to timeliness, quality of work and high technical standing on projects and manage in conjunction with Project Director/Leader any client complaints.
• Continually aim for repeat and new business from all clients in contact with Inhabit.

Project Management

• Provide overall strategy and technical solutions as required for project challenges.
• Undertake or assist the project leaders with negotiation of fees and contracts where appropriate to ensure financial targets are achieved.
• Manage business risks by following appropriate risk appraisal procedures prior to signing contracts.
• Allocate and manage project personnel to suit programmes and project budgets.
• Project lead internally with respective team colleagues to allow deliverables to be issued to client.
• Coordinate and work with the design team to deliver project deliverables.
• Help solve client/project team’s problems by lateral thinking and creating innovative solutions.
• Ensure quality outputs and agreed cost/scheduled delivery timeframes are met.
• Manage projects, site meetings, design workshops and site inspections as required and/or as project planning stipulates.
• As Project Leader, monitor and report on team performance against agreed timelines, fees/budgets.
• Oversee the work of Sub‑Consultants/Contractors and review outputs produced by them.
• Ensure project sheets for each project are undertaken for compliance with project and office QA procedures.

Consultancy Function

• Preparation and coordination of expressions of interest, tender submissions and similar consulting proposals.
• Maintain a hands‑on approach to the provision of design and engineering, and assist in the coordination of other disciplines.
• Contribute and monitor the design and engineering of curtain wall and cladding systems, as well as specialty systems (e.g., structural glass, cables, ETFE).
• Oversee engineering computations and structural façade analysis, advice and reporting.
• Meet with architects to develop façade design concepts, detailing, specifications, and engineering feasibility, and coordinate with other project consultants such as Builders, Contractors and Sub‑Contractors to determine best practice façade design outcomes.
• Write and review specifications and schedules to inform and respond to site and construction related queries.
• Review and comment on sub‑contractor’s shop drawings & calculations, BD submission drawings, fabrication drawings & material submission.
• Follow the general drawing protocols and CAD file system set by Inhabit.
• Provide assistance during construction of façade systems including attendance on mock‑up testing, shop drawing reviews and conduct factory & site inspections.

Technical Excellence

• Ensure project specific technical duties including engineering, design and project lead roles are effectively managed.
• Identify technically complex projects and problems that require high level input.
• Undertake provision of concept design, peer review and checking services on projects to assist in maintaining high standards.
• Provide technical assistance and grow the team’s capability relating to the weatherproofing and installation of various façade systems.
• Assist in developing and growing the BIM capability of the office in conjunction with other team members, aligning Inhabit’s capabilities with market expectations.
• Take necessary action to prevent the occurrence of design documentation and/or quality system non‑conformity.
• Ensure all project documentation is maintained to a level required by Inhabits’ QA Manager and QA system.
• Endorse and facilitate the quality management system (QMS) and the Business’s commitment to quality.
• Conduct all activities in accordance with the quality management system.

Personal Attributes

• Attitude and participation towards project, client, team.
• Motivation in role.
• Sense of urgency when appropriate.
• Confidence in role amongst team and clients.
• Desire to achieve high standards, set goals or targets.
• Overall commitment to your position.
• Adaptability and willingness to learn.
• How you apply new skills.
• Team interaction.
• Willingness to help others.

Role Capability Profile

Quality & Quantity of Work

• Assures accuracy, thoroughness and reliability of results.
• Meets the workload requirements of the job.
• Is proficient in technical skills required for the job.
• Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge required to complete job responsibilities.

Decisions

• Conducts thorough analysis before making decisions.
• Makes sound, logical and timely decisions.

Planning & Time Management

• Develops & implements effective action plans.
• Meets deadlines as required.
• Maintains performance under pressure.
• Timesheet efficiency (weekly submission).

Performance Management

• Achieves own objectives.
• Delegates appropriate tasks to appropriate people.
• Gives employees adequate information & authority.
• Follows up progress on delegated projects.
• Provides ongoing feedback and training to employees where relevant.

Initiative

• Displays initiative in the position and does not seek unnecessary clarification or instruction.
• Generates and implements worthwhile, practical new ideas and methods.
• Responds effectively to changing needs of the workplace.

Relationships

• Interacts appropriately with customers/clients, both internally and externally.
• Displays good interpersonal skills.
• Uses appropriate style to resolve conflict with people at all levels.
• Acts in best interest of the organisation.

Communication

• Listens attentively, demonstrates full understanding.
• Oral and written – expresses ideas effectively.
• Quality of presentations.
• Preparation of internal and external correspondence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Architecture or Bachelor of Engineering is preferable.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in a facade role.

Other Requirements

• Correctly use and maintain Personal Protective Equipment provided.
• Takes reasonable care for the safety of his/her own health and safety and that of other people who may be affected by their conduct in the workplace.
• Seek guidance for all new or modified work procedures to ensure that any hazardous conditions, near misses and injuries are reported immediately to Management.
• Participate in compliance training and other environment, health and safety activities as required.
• Abide by the Code of Conduct; this is a minimum standard of behaviour that must be upheld by all employees.
• In addition to the duties set out in this Position Description, you may be expected to perform such other duties as may from time to time be reasonably assigned to you by the Employer.

Other Relevant Information

• Travel to various work locations throughout Middle East may be required.
• Your duties as set out in this Position Description may from time to time be amended, varied, modified or reassigned by the Employer in accordance with business needs.