General Manager - Architectural Design Consulting Firm
Big Aims
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Job summary
Big Aims, a well-established design consultancy, seeks a dynamic General Manager to provide strategic leadership across architecture, engineering, planning, and multidisciplinary design.
Reporting to the Board, you will drive growth, oversee business development, financial performance, client relations, and governance while expanding the firm’s regional and international footprint in Qatar and beyond.
Qualifications
- Bachelor level degree in architecture, engineering, urban planning or construction management.
- MBA or similar advanced business qualification is desirable.
- Registered professional credentials (RA/PE/Chartered Architect/Engineer) preferred.
Responsibilities
- Lead long-term business strategy and growth roadmap.
- Drive revenue, profitability, and market expansion initiatives.
- Oversee client engagement, project delivery, and governance.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Our client is a well-established design consultancy with a strong reputation across the Middle East, delivering architecture, engineering, planning, and multidisciplinary design solutions for some of the region's most prominent developments.
The organization is seeking a dynamic and commercially astute General Manager to provide strategic leadership, drive sustainable growth, strengthen operational performance, and enhance the firm's regional and international presence.
The successful candidate will possess extensive leadership experience within architecture, engineering, urban planning, or multidisciplinary consulting environments, coupled with a proven ability to lead complex organizations, deliver financial performance, expand market share, and oversee large-scale development portfolios.
This position offers an opportunity to lead a high-profile consultancy serving government authorities, sovereign investment entities, hospitality operators, leading developers, and institutional investors across the GCC, MENA, and selected international markets.
Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the General Manager will assume full responsibility for the company's business performance, operational effectiveness, strategic direction, and long-term growth agenda.
The role will oversee all aspects of the organization, including business development, financial performance, client engagement, project delivery, talent management, governance, and organizational transformation.
The incumbent will play a critical role in strengthening the company's market leadership and ensuring the successful delivery of high-value, technically complex projects.
- Develop and implement the company's long-term business strategy and growth roadmap.
- Lead expansion initiatives within Qatar, the GCC, MENA region, and international markets.
- Assess emerging market opportunities and establish strategic partnerships that support business growth.
- Drive diversification into new sectors, services, and geographical markets.
- Promote innovation, sustainability, digital advancement, and design excellence throughout the organization.
- Represent the company at executive meetings, industry forums, conferences, and stakeholder engagements.
- Maintain full accountability for revenue generation, profitability, and overall financial performance.
- Lead annual business planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reviews.
- Monitor project profitability and ensure optimal utilization of resources.
- Identify and implement efficiency improvements that enhance business performance.
- Manage commercial risk while safeguarding the organization's financial interests.
- Ensure robust financial reporting, compliance, and governance practices.
- Provide direction and leadership to executive management and multidisciplinary teams.
- Establish effective organizational structures that support business growth and scalability.
- Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Lead talent acquisition, succession planning, leadership development, and employee retention strategies.
- Drive organizational change initiatives and business transformation programs.
- Ensure alignment between business objectives and workforce capabilities.
- Build and maintain strong executive-level relationships with key clients and industry stakeholders.
- Act as the primary representative of the business for major strategic accounts.
- Support business development initiatives to secure new opportunities and long-term partnerships.
- Ensure exceptional standards of client service, project execution, and design quality.
- Strengthen the company's reputation as a trusted consultancy partner within the marketplace.
- Provide regular performance updates and strategic recommendations to the Board of Directors.
- Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory, legal, and professional requirements.
- Oversee company-wide risk management frameworks and governance systems.
- Ensure adherence to industry standards, ISO requirements, and contract administration frameworks including FIDIC.
- Maintain productive relationships with regulatory agencies, government authorities, and industry bodies.
- Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
- MBA, Executive MBA, or other advanced business qualification is highly desirable.
- Relevant professional registration or chartership such as:
- Registered Architect (RA)
- Professional Engineer (PE)
- Chartered Architect
- Chartered Engineer
- Equivalent professional accreditation
- Minimum 15 years of experience within architecture, engineering, planning, or multidisciplinary consulting environments.
- At least 5 years in a senior executive leadership capacity, such as:
- General Manager
- Managing Director
- Chief Executive Officer
- Executive Director
- Vice President
- Managing Partner
- Demonstrated success managing P&L responsibilities and business operations.
- Proven track record of achieving revenue growth and operational improvement.
- Experience leading large multidisciplinary teams and complex project portfolios.
- Strong business development and stakeholder management capabilities.
- Luxury hospitality and tourism destinations.
- Five-star hotels and branded residences.
- Ultra-luxury resorts and integrated resort communities.
- Residential, commercial, institutional, and infrastructure developments.
- Landmark projects exceeding USD 100 million in project value.
- Complex multidisciplinary design and engineering coordination assignments.
- Government organizations.
- Institutional investors.
- International hospitality operators and global hotel brands.
- Extensive experience across GCC and MENA markets.
- Exposure to international project delivery and business development activities.
- Strong professional network within government, real estate, hospitality, and investment sectors.
- Understanding of regional planning regulations, authority approvals, and development frameworks.
- Experience managing multicultural teams across multiple countries.
- Demonstrated success supporting market-entry, expansion, or regional office establishment initiatives.
- Knowledge of emerging market trends, competitive landscapes, and investment opportunities.
Preference will be given to candidates who possess:
- Previous General Manager, Managing Director, or CEO experience within a design consultancy environment.
- Experience working with internationally recognized hospitality brands.
- Exposure to Smart Cities, ESG, sustainability, and digital transformation initiatives.
- Professional certifications such as:
- PMP
- LEED
- PMI
- RIBA
- Equivalent internationally recognized credentials
- Industry recognition through published thought leadership, conference speaking engagements, or professional awards.
- Involvement in award-winning projects and iconic developments.
Qatar | GCC | MENA | International Markets
- Luxury Hospitality
- Tourism & Destination Development
- Master Planning
- Mixed-Use Communities
- Residential & Commercial Developments
- Education
- Cultural & Institutional Projects
Executive Management | Business Leadership | Design Consultancy
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