Site Architect

Blake Anderson; Dubai; Hybrid; AED 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Blake Anderson in the UAE is seeking a Site Architect for a flagship branded residential development in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK). The role requires on-site oversight, ensuring design intent is reflected during construction and coordinating with the Construction Manager.

Responsibilities include reviewing shop drawings, managing RFIs, evaluating materials, assessing vendors, conducting site inspections, and delivering formal sign-offs.

Qualifications

• 8 to 10 years of professional architectural experience, with exposure to hospitality, hotel, or high-end branded residential projects.
• Experience managing site-based construction delivery, including shop drawings, RFIs, site inspections, and snagging.

Responsibilities

• Shop Drawing Review: examine and issue responses to submittals across all architectural and landscape packages.
• RFI Management: deliver clear design directives to protect approved design package.
• Material Evaluation: review material submittals and assess substitutions against project specs.
• Vendor & Subcontractor Assessment: verify capability of vendors to meet luxury design and standards.
• Inspections & Sign-offs: perform site inspections and provide formal sign-offs or corrective directions.
• Proactive Quality Control: conduct regular site walks to identify deviations and quality issues.

Skills

Site delivery

RFI management

Shop drawing reviews

Quality control

Job description

Our client, a larger developer in the UAE, needs a Site Architect for a large project IN RAK.Location: Dubai/ Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), UAE (Flexible working arrangement: 3 days on-site in RAK, 2 days at Dubai HQ)Project: Branded Residential Development

1 Role Overview

As the primary on-site guardian of the architectural intent during the construction stage of a flagship branded residential development in Ras Al Khaimah, you will bridge the gap between high-level design vision and physical execution. Working in close collaboration with the Construction Manager, you will tackle technical queries, lead site walks, and ensure every architectural element, material selection, and spatial decision rigorously mirrors the approved design package. This is a highly proactive, on-site role that demands regular physical presence, decisive judgment, and unwavering ownership of design quality.

1 Key Responsibilities

• Shop Drawing Review: Examine and issue timely formal responses to shop drawing submittals from the contractor across all architectural and landscape packages.
• RFI Management: Address Requests for Information (RFIs) from contractors by delivering clear, well-reasoned design directives that protect the integrity of the approved design package.
• Material Evaluation: Review architectural material submittals, assess proposed alternatives or substitutions against project specifications, and recommend options that balance aesthetic intent, quality, and constructability.
• Vendor & Subcontractor Assessment: Evaluate proposed vendors and subcontractors submitted by the contractor for architectural scopes to verify their capability to execute luxury design and quality standards.
• Inspections & Sign-offs: Action inspection requests promptly, conduct physical site inspections, and provide formal written sign-offs or corrective directions as needed.
• Proactive Quality Control: Execute regular site walks to identify design deviations, non-conformances, and quality flaws early, preventing costly downstream rectifications.

1 Ideal Candidate Profile

• Experience: 8 to 10 years of professional architectural experience with significant exposure to hospitality, hotel, or high-end branded residential projects. (Candidates with 6-8 years will be considered if they possess exceptionally strong site delivery experience).
• Delivery Background: Proven track record in a site-based construction delivery role managing shop drawings, RFIs, site inspections, and snagging on live projects. (Note: Purely contractor-side experience is insufficient; candidates must have served as the designer's or client's representative on site).
• Technical Acumen: Deep technical knowledge of architectural construction detailing, material specifications, and rigorous build quality standards.
• Design Sensibility: A sharp, discerning eye for luxury design quality tailored to hospitality-grade residential standards, with a clear understanding of high-end craftsmanship.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft clear, authoritative, and structured formal responses to submittals and RFIs.
• Global Perspective: International project experience is highly valued, combined with the adaptability to thrive in the fast-paced UAE construction market.