Director

LNR Consultancy; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading architecture firm is seeking a Director – Architecture in Abu Dhabi to provide strategic leadership, manage teams, and drive business development. The successful candidate will have 15+ years of experience, strong ties to the regional market, and the capability to mentor high-performing teams. Responsibilities include overseeing design quality and client relations, alongside contributing to the firm's growth strategy. This role encompasses management of complex projects within the hospitality and commercial sectors.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of professional experience, ideally in the UAE.
• Proven experience in a senior leadership role.
• Strong business development background with demonstrable ability to win work.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership aligning design excellence with business objectives.
• Build and mentor a multidisciplinary architectural team.
• Lead business development initiatives and client relationship management.

Skills

Leadership

Business Development

Client Relations

Design Oversight

Communication

Team Management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture

Job description

We are seeking an accomplished Director – Architecture to lead and grow a team in Abu Dhabi. This is a senior leadership role for a qualified Architect with a strong Middle East track record, proven business development capability, and the ability to build, mentor, and scale high-performing teams.

The successful candidate will combine design leadership with commercial acumen, leveraging an established regional client network to drive growth across mixed-use, hospitality, commercial and masterplanning developments.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Studio Growth

• Provide strategic leadership, aligning design excellence with business objectives.
• Build, lead, and mentor a multidisciplinary architectural team, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Contribute to regional growth strategy in collaboration with senior leadership team.

Business Development & Client Relations

• Lead business development initiatives, including identifying opportunities, developing client relationships, and securing new work.
• Leverage an established network of clients, developers, consultants, and authorities across the UAE and wider Middle East.
• Represent the practice at client meetings, industry events, and public forums.

Design & Project Oversight

• Provide design direction and technical oversight across projects from concept through delivery.
• Ensure projects meet client expectations, design quality standards, budgets, and schedules.
• Oversee coordination with consultants, authorities, and stakeholders.

Market & Commercial Awareness

• Maintain strong knowledge of the regional development market, trends, and regulatory environment.
• Contribute to fee proposals, negotiations, resourcing strategies, and financial performance of the studio.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture; professional registration required.
• 15+ years of professional experience, with significant time spent in the Middle East, ideally UAE.
• Proven experience in a senior leadership role (Director, Associate Director, or equivalent).
• Strong business development background with a demonstrable ability to win work.
• Established client and developer network across mixed‑use, hospitality, and commercial sectors.
• Experience growing and managing architectural teams and studios.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong understanding of local authority processes, codes, and approvals.