Senior Site Architect

KEO International; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working arrangements

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

KEO International is seeking a Senior Architect to join its multidisciplinary team in Abu Dhabi. The role focuses on luxury villas, waterfront and high-end mixed-use developments, delivering architectural design through construction supervision.

You will review Detailed Design and IFC docs, coordinate with consultants, and support AoR activities to ensure quality and compliance. Ideal candidates have 10+ years’ UAE experience, a Bachelor degree in Architecture and preferably professional

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Architecture with 10+ years of experience.
• Extensive UAE project experience and working within multidisciplinary environments.
• Professional registration preferred for Architect of Record responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Review Detailed Design and IFC documentation and ensure design intent.
• Support Architect of Record delivery, including RFI reviews and approvals.
• Conduct site inspections and ensure construction aligns with IFC docs and specs.
• Coordinate with Structural, MEP, Façade, Interior Design and other consultants.
• Attend design coordination and progress meetings and maintain delivery standards.

Skills

Architectural design

Coordination

Construction supervision

BIM coordination

Quality assurance

Education

Bachelor degree in Architecture

Professional architectural registration preferred

Job description

Overview

KEO is a creative enterprise, where innovation is a way of life. We are uniquely resourced with end-to-end services to take clients from inspiration - through conceptualization - to realization of planning, design or project delivery in the built and natural environments. For over 60 years we've led with vision, contributing to many of the worlds most ambitious projects, iconic places, remarkable experiences and prosperous communities.

As a highly integrated and agile AEP/PMCM firm, KEO is recognized by ENR as one of the Top 225 International Design Firms and one of the Top 20 International PM/CM Firms. We are also ranked by World Architecture as the 57th largest global architecture firm and the #1 Firm in the Middle East Region in their 2023 WA100 Survey.

We invite you to join us. Why?

When you join KEO, you'll discover more than just a job - you'll find a supportive environment that fosters your professional development through internal global mobility and career development and does so within a culture that supports company-wide health and well-being through on-demand counselling services and regular workplace clinics. You will be invited to celebrate community events such as sports days, fun-runs, in-house sports teams and beach clean ups. In addition to your competitive package and benefits you will have access to a suite of policies that include hybrid working arrangements, individual athletic sponsorship, study assistance sponsorship, employee referral rewards, mentoring and coaching programs and extensive in-house on demand learning courses.

Responsibilities

Our newest opportunity is for a talented Senior Architect to join our multidisciplinary team in Abu Dhabi, supporting the delivery of a prestigious waterfront residential development comprising luxury villas and premium residential communities.

The successful candidate will support architectural design review, coordination and technical delivery throughout the project lifecycle, including detailed design validation, Architect of Record (AoR) services and construction supervision.

Working closely with the Architectural Manager, design consultants, contractors and multidisciplinary engineering teams, the Senior Architect will ensure architectural works are delivered in accordance with approved designs, project specifications, quality standards, authority requirements and client expectations.

The ideal candidate will have strong consultancy experience delivering luxury villas, high-end residential communities, waterfront developments or premium mixed-use projects, with proven experience from detailed design through construction delivery.

We envisage success in this role to include:

Design Review & Technical Delivery

• Reviewing and validate architectural Detailed Design and Issued for Construction (IFC) documentation.
• Reviewing architectural drawings, specifications, schedules, material selections and technical submissions.
• Ensuring compliance with project requirements, design standards, authority regulations and approved design intent.
• Identifying design coordination issues, technical challenges and constructability concerns.
• Supporting architectural design reviews and provide technical recommendations.
• Coordinating with Structural, MEP, Façade, Interior Design, Landscape and specialist consultants.
• Participating in BIM coordination reviews and multidisciplinary design meetings.

Architect of Record (AoR) Support

• Supporting architectural delivery under the Architect of Record appointment.
• Reviewing contractor shop drawings, RFIs, material submissions and technical queries.
• Coordinating design amendments and ensure documentation is updated accordingly.
• Assisting with authority submissions, approvals and compliance requirements.
• Liaising with contractors, suppliers and specialist consultants to resolve architectural issues.
• Maintainin design quality and ensure consistency between approved design and construction delivery.

Construction Supervision

• Conducting site inspections to monitor architectural works and finishes.
• Ensuring construction activities comply with approved IFC documentation, specifications and quality requirements.
• Reviewing architectural finishes, materials, mock-ups and workmanship standards.
• Identifying defects, non-conformances and quality issues and support timely resolution.
• Reviewing contractor proposals and alternative solutions where required.
• Supporting project handover activities, including snagging, close-out and as-built documentation.

Coordination & Reporting

• Attending design coordination, construction and progress meetings.
• Preparing technical comments, review reports and inspection records.
• Coordinating with project teams to resolve architectural and multidisciplinary issues.
• Supporting the Architectural Manager in maintaining project delivery standards.
• Promoting quality, innovation and best practice architectural solutions.

Qualifications

To be successful in this dynamic opportunity, we envision that your career journey to date will include 10 years work experience partnered with a Bachelor degree in Architecture and professional architectural registration is preferred

Extensive experience in executing building projects in UAE is an essential requirement for this role.

Strong experience working within an architectural or multidisciplinary consultancy environment.

Proven experience delivering luxury residential, villa, waterfront or high-end mixed-use developments.

Experience reviewing Detailed Design and IFC documentation

KEO's performance is founded upon integrity, results, innovation, safety and our people. We embrace diversity and recognise its' contribution to client success wherever we work.

We are excited to hear how you can partner with our award-winning team and treat all expressions of interest confidentially.