Resident Architect

Confidential; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential is seeking a senior Architect/Site Lead to head on-site supervision and consultant services for major construction projects in Riyadh. The role focuses on safeguarding the design intent, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring compliance with contract requirements, codes, and specifications.

The incumbent will oversee design guardianship, manage site walks, resolve design and construction conflicts, and prepare monthly reports highlighting risks and progress.

Qualifications

• Qualified Architect (BArch / MArch) with substantial on-site experience in the Middle East.
• Proven leadership of site supervision teams and coordination across disciplines.
• Strong knowledge of FIDIC contract administration and construction management practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead the on-site architectural supervision and consultant services across projects.
• Coordinate and review design deliverables, RFIs, submittals, and inspections to ensure design intent is met.
• Monitor compliance with contract, codes, and specifications and manage project risks.

Skills

Architectural leadership

On-site management

FIDIC contract knowledge

Education

BArch / MArch

15+ years experience

Tools

FIDIC contract knowledge

Multidisciplinary supervision

Job description

To lead the on-site architectural supervision and consultant services for major construction projects. This includes the administration of post-contract responsibilities as defined by the appointment, managing and coordinating multidisciplinary site teams where applicable, ensuring alignment with the approved design intent, and monitoring compliance with the project’s contract, codes, and specifications.

When appointed in a Design Guardian capacity, the role is limited to safeguarding the design intent through review, coordination, and advisory input only, and does not include construction supervision, inspection, certification, contract administration, or Defects Liability Period services unless expressly agreed and appointed under a separate scope.

The role serves as a primary interface between the client, contractors, design teams, and other stakeholders. The exact scope of services may differ on a project-by-project basis and will be further defined as part of the project-specific deliverables.

2. Job Accountabilities Linked to Objectives

• Lead the site-based lead consultancy team (where present) to ensure high standards of quality, compliance, coordination, and delivery across all stakeholders, proactively addressing deficiencies as they arise.
• Oversee and assist with design deliverables, pre-engineering, shop drawings, RFIs, submittals, inspections, and construction queries to support timely resolution and adherence to project requirements.
• Review and approve works, including but not limited to mock-ups, sample rooms, materials, and finishes, ensuring alignment with the approved design / designer, specifications, and project requirements.
• Ensure effective design coordination across all disciplines and contribute to the resolution of design and construction-related conflicts.
• Conduct regular architectural and design-focused site walks to monitor the implementation of the approved design intent, including look, feel, materiality, and spatial quality.
• Identify, document, and report design, aesthetic, and quality-related risks or non-compliances to the LDC / Client through structured observations and reporting.
• Prepare and issue monthly architectural / design guardianship reports summarising site observations, key risks, and matters requiring attention.
• Review and provide comments on material samples, mock-ups, mood boards, finishes, look & feel assessments, and sample rooms to support alignment with the approved design intent.
• Provide architectural and interior design clarifications, including aesthetic and design intent matters, where requested by the Client.
• Participate in value engineering and design development discussions, providing input on architectural quality, aesthetic impact, and alignment with the approved design intent.
• Coordinate closely with PMCM, the Contractor, and the wider consultant team during site reviews, technical meetings, and design discussions to maintain alignment between design intent, construction execution, and client expectations.
• Monitor that the executed works reflect the approved design, client expectations, and applicable codes and regulations throughout the construction process.
• Ensure RFIs, approvals, instructions, and IFC changes are managed through the established project communication and authority channels and are properly coordinated across all parties.
• Produce and issue timely internal and external dashboards capturing progress, quality, design alignment, and emerging risks.

Site Supervision Team Management

• Direct and manage the day-to-day performance of organization's site supervision team (architects, engineers, inspectors, sub-consultants and the like).
• Ensure all team members are properly briefed on their roles and responsibilities.
• Implement structured delegation and reporting mechanisms.
• Conduct periodic audits, QA/QC / technical reviews, and performance assessments.
• Maintain a collaborative, professional, and high-performing supervision environment on site.
• Ensure employees / team members conduct are upheld to the highest standards.
• Monitor and update in coordination with the Client and Site Operations Director the project, staff deployment, associated schedule and ensure timely delivery of the same at the agreed frequency.

Project & Contract Administration

• Oversee compliance with the project’s construction contract (FIDIC or equivalent).
• Issue formal communications, manage variations, evaluate contractor claims, and contribute to extension of time assessments.
• Ensure proper documentation, records & communication protocols are established, used and maintained for all supervision activities.
• Coordinate with the Employer’s Representative and Client-appointed Consultants.
• Act as Engineer’s Representative / Employer’s Representative if appointed, ensuring responsibilities are discharged in line with the delegated authority.
• Assist in stake holder and lead in team dispute resolution.

Project Coordination & Stakeholder Interface

• Act as the senior site representative of the lead consultant.
• Establish and manage coordination mechanisms among the consultant team, contractor, suppliers, and client representatives.
• Participate in progress meetings, site coordination meetings, and technical reviews.
• Monitor and steer project progress and associated scheduling and produce relevant reports.
• Provide strategic input and advice to the client to ensure project objectives are met.

Quality & Compliance Oversight

• Enforce quality control standards and elevate issues that risk the design quality or compliance of the project / deliverables.
• Monitor health, safety, and environmental practices on site.
• Participate in final inspections, testing, and commissioning phases.
• Ensure defect lists, non-conformance reports and site observations are compiled and rectified in line with contract obligations.
• Ensure pre-engineering deliverables are in line with contract agreement and implement measures to maintain and or rectify resulting shortfalls.
• Monitor and advise on change control process.
• Serve as mentor and technical advisor to staff, engineers and sub-consultants.
• Lead internal training and onboarding of new site staff.
• Foster a knowledge-sharing culture that emphasizes continuous improvement and professional development to the benefit of the project and company.

Commercial & Invoicing Responsibilities

• Coordinate with the head office/accounts team to prepare and validate monthly consultancy service invoices in line with contract terms.
• Review and confirm site-based and related staff, timesheets for inclusion in monthly billing.
• Collect, verify, and consolidate sub-consultant timesheets for accuracy, completeness, and scope alignment.
• Track sub-consultant invoices and ensure timely submission to accounts for processing.
• Maintain a project-specific log of all invoicing activities, including issue dates, payment terms, and receipt confirmations amongst others.
• Monitor outstanding invoices and follow up with clients and relevant stakeholders to ensure prompt payment.
• Flag and elevate delays in payment or disputed invoices to the Project Director and commercial team.
• Liaise with sub-consultants regarding their payment status and provide updates on payment cycles and client approvals.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial procedures and contractual invoicing requirements.
• Support monthly project & financial reporting with updates on invoice status, forecasted income, and payment risks.
• Assist in reconciling client payment records with internal accounts to resolve discrepancies, if any.
• Track any approved variations or scope changes and coordinate with the commercial team to ensure these are invoiced accordingly.

3. Qualification / Experience / Requirements

• Qualified Architect (BArch / MArch) with minimum 15 years’ experience; at least 10 years on-site in the Middle East.
• Proven experience as a Site Lead or Senior Architect on large-scale or complex projects.
• Strong working knowledge of FIDIC contract administration and construction management practices.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary supervision teams in fast-track environments.
• Familiar with KSA/UAE/ Regional Authority codes, regulations, and approval procedures.
• PMP, MCIOB, or similar certifications are advantageous.
• Strong documentation, reporting, technical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Leadership & team management
• Quality & risk management
• Impartiality and professional conduct
• Hands-on overseeing all construction works
• Must possess tangible, technical problem-solving abilities