Head Architecture and Design

The Citizens Foundation; Karachi Division; On-site; PKR 3,500,000 - 5,500,000; Full time

Job summary

The Citizens Foundation seeks a Head of Architecture and Design to lead the in-house architectural design section, overseeing the full design lifecycle from concept through to as-built. You will provide technical leadership, coordinate with consultants, and ensure designs are economical, compliant, and well-coordinated.

You will guide the team through land assessment, BPR, detailed design, tender/IFC drawings, and construction-phase support, while maintaining design quality and standardized

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (HEC recognized) and PCATP registration.
• Professional registration with Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners (PCATP).
• 15–20 years of progressive architectural design experience leading a design team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the In-House Architectural Design Section.
• Plan and monitor design activities across projects per TCF standards.
• Coordinate with structural consultants for compatibility with architectural layouts.
• Lead development of detailed designs, tenders and IFC drawings.
• Provide construction-phase architectural support and site queries resolution.
• Review as-built drawings against IFC for completion drawings.
• Ensure designs are compliant, cost-effective and constructible.
• Collaborate with Costing/QS, Budgeting, QA/QC and Donor Services.

Skills

Architectural design leadership

Design management

Architectural planning

Layout design

Discipline coordination (Structural/ME

BIM/AutoCAD/Revit

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture

Registered with PCATP

Master's in Architecture (preferred)

Tools

BIM

AutoCAD

Revit

Job description

The Head Architecture and Design will lead TCF’s In-House Architectural Design Section within the Engineering/Design Department, providing technical leadership and overseeing the complete architectural design lifecycle - from land assessment and initial planning through BPR, detailed design, tender and IFC drawings, construction-phase support, and as-built review. The role ensures that all designs are functional, economical, technically sound, constructible, well-coordinated, and compliant with TCF standards, while providing technical direction to the in-house design team and coordinating structural, electrical, and plumbing design inputs from consultants and internal teams.

• Design, Lead and manage the In-House Architectural Design Section, providing technical direction, supervision, and quality review of all design deliverables produced by the team
• Plan, prioritize, and monitor design activities across projects, ensuring adherence to TCF standards/details and timely completion at every stage of the design lifecycle
• Review land/site assessment information and provide architectural input on site suitability, constraints, and feasibility to support management’s land adoption decisions
• Lead the preparation and review of initial layouts and architectural input for the Build Purchase Requisition (BPR) stage - including site planning, building configuration, and covered area - ensuring proposals based on TCF theme that remain practical and economical
• Lead the development of detailed architectural designs following BPR approval, ensuring layouts, elevations, sections, and details are functional, economical, constructible, and aligned with approved requirements
• Coordinate with external structural consultants and review structural drawings for consistency and compatibility with the approved architectural design, resolving conflicts and discrepancies prior to issuance
• Lead/review in-house electrical and plumbing design and ensure proper coordination with architectural layouts and other building services
• Conduct thorough technical reviews of architectural, structural, electrical, and plumbing drawings to ensure accuracy, coordination, and constructability before issuance, maintaining proper document and revision control
• Lead/review the preparation of tender and Issued-for-Construction (IFC) drawings, ensuring designs are sufficiently detailed for accurate BOQ preparation, responding to design queries, and incorporating approved changes
• Design schools within e-compounds with a phased approach, ensuring each building integrates seamlessly with future expansions
• Provide continuous architectural support during the construction phase, resolving site queries, assessing the impact of proposed changes, and ensuring the approved design intent is maintained
• Design well-lit, and naturally ventilated buildings, considering road levels, climate conditions, and proper accessibility
• Review as-built drawings against approved IFC drawings to verify accuracy and ensure complete (completion drawings), correct documentation prior to project closure
• Maintain close coordination with Costing/QS, Budgeting, Repair & Maintenance, Project Management, QA/QC, Donor Services, Regional/Zone teams, and other stakeholders on design-related matters, cost implications, and technical clarifications
• Ensure all designs remain compliant with TCF standards, cost-effective, and constructible, while identifying opportunities for design standardization and process improvement
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Line Manager.

Required Skills

• Strong architectural design leadership and design management skills, with the ability to lead and mentor an in-house design team
• Sound technical knowledge of architectural planning, layout design, and space optimization for institutional/educational buildings
• Strong technical review and quality-control skills across architectural, structural, electrical, and plumbing drawings
• Working knowledge of design standards, with the ability to ensure compliance across all deliverables
• Strong coordination skills to manage inputs from structural,MEP,Geotech and other specialist consultants
• Practical, cost-conscious design orientation, balancing functionality, economy, and constructability
• Good project planning and time-management skills to ensure timely design delivery across all project stages
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills to coordinate with Costing, Budgeting, R&M, Donor Services, Regional/Zone, QA/QC and Project Management teams
• Sound problem-solving and decision-making skills to resolve design and site-related day to day issues
• Proficiency in relevant design software (BIM/AutoCAD/Revit) and MS Office. Knowledge of AI tolls related design is preferable

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (B.Arch.) from an HEC recognized university, registered with the Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners (PCATP). Master’s in Architecture or a related field preferred.

Experience

15-20 years of progressive architectural design experience, including significant experience leading a design team/function and managing large-scale institutional or educational & office building projects from concept through construction and handover.