Senior Architectural Design Manager

Kalyon Holding; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Kalyon Holding is seeking an experienced Architectural Lead to oversee the design and coordination of architectural inputs for major transport projects in Abu Dhabi.

You will chair technical meetings, manage a multi-disciplinary team, ensure design compliance and interface with BIM, MEP, and landscape, and contribute to tender input for early-stage packages. The role requires 15+ years in architecture for transportation projects and RIBA-registered credentials.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture (B.Arch.).
• Master's degree preferred.
• Registration with a recognized architectural body (RIBA or equivalent) required.
• Minimum 15 years' architectural experience with design/design-review team management on major transport/station projects.
• Experience on a High-Speed Rail or Metro project of similar scale is required.
• Fluent in written and spoken English; Arabic an advantage.
• Able to chair technical meetings and produce Board/Client-ready reports and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Architectural Lead, Architects, and senior ID Architect team.
• Own the Engineering Team's architectural position on design and design-intent matters.
• Approve architectural review comments and TQ responses prior to issue.
• Chair architectural design coordination meetings with Jacobs, including interior design and landscape.
• Escalate unresolved non-compliances to the Engineering Manager.
• Oversee architectural input into design changes, value engineering and materials/finishes decisions.
• Monitor discipline KPIs and report progress to Engineering Manager and Design & Engineering Director.
• Ensure architectural interfaces with structure, MEP, BIM and landscape are proactively managed.
• Support tender/procurement input for architectural specialist subcontract packages.

Skills

Architectural leadership

Design coordination

Team management

Stakeholder management

BIM coordination

Technical review

Education

B.Arch.

M.Arch. preferred

RIBA registration

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

MS Office

Job description

• Manage the Architectural Lead, Architects, Lead Landscape Architect, Material Architect and Senior ID Architect
• Own the Engineering Team's technical position on architectural design and design-intent matters
• Approve architectural review comments and TQ responses prior to issue
• Chair architectural design coordination meetings with Jacobs, including interior design and landscape
• Escalate unresolved architectural, accessibility or fire/life safety non-compliances to the Engineering Manager
• Oversee architectural input into design changes, value engineering and materials/finishes decisions
• Monitor discipline KPIs and report progress to the Engineering Manager and Design & Engineering Director
• Ensure architectural interfaces with structure, MEP, BIM and landscape are proactively managed
• Support tender/procurement technical input for architectural specialist subcontract packages

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture (B.Arch.)
• Master's degree preferred.
• Registration with a recognized architectural body (RIBA or equivalent) required.
• Minimum 15 years' architectural experience with demonstrable management of design or design-review teams on major transport/station projects; experience on a High-Speed Rail or Metro project of similar scale is required.
• Fluent in written and spoken English is mandatory; Arabic is an advantage.
• Able to chair technical meetings, negotiate design positions with the Designer and Employer, and produce Board/Client-ready reports and presentations.