Associate Director

SAA ARCHITECTS PTE LTD; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

SAA ARCHITECTS PTE LTD in Singapore is seeking a senior architect to lead projects across feasibility, design development, tender, construction and close-out, ensuring design intent, buildability and client satisfaction.

You will mentor junior staff, coordinate with consultants and authorities, manage documentation, and oversee cost, programme and quality to deliver complex, large-scale developments in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• At least 15 years of architectural experience with senior-level responsibility for complex projects from design through construction.
• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Architecture from an accredited institution.
• Registered Architect with the Board of Architects, Singapore, or equivalent registration preferred.
• Strong track record leading multidisciplinary project teams and coordinating with clients, consultants and authorities.
• Experience with large-scale, mixed-use developments in Singapore or region advantageous.
• Proficiency in architectural BIM tools such as Revit or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects across full lifecycle from feasibility to close-out.
• Support Project Director with project delivery plans, scope, programme and resources.
• Oversee resource planning to meet timelines and quality standards.
• Monitor cost management including fee utilisation and resource deployment.
• Identify risks and lead solutions to maintain progress and client confidence.
• Provide regular updates to the Project Director on status and risks.
• Guide design development and ensure buildable, cost-effective documentation.
• Review drawings, specs and submissions for quality and compliance.
• Lead coordination meetings with clients, consultants and site teams.
• Ensure compliance with planning parameters and building regulations.
• Resolve design and technical issues balancing quality, cost, and programme.
• Monitor site quality and conduct reviews to verify design intent.
• Maintain project records and filing discipline in line with ISO and project requirements.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to knowledge sharing and process improvement.

Skills

Project leadership

Design coordination

Team mentoring

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Architecture

Registered Architect Singapore or equivalent

Tools

Revit

BIM

Job description

Your Responsibilities

Project Leadership, Planning & Delivery

• Lead projects across the full lifecycle, from feasibility, concept and design development through tender, construction, contract administration and project close-out.

• Support the Project Director in setting up and maintaining project delivery plans, including scope, programme, manpower deployment, information flow, deliverables and key decision points.

• Oversee resource planning across assigned project teams, ensuring appropriate capability, capacity and coordination to meet agreed timelines and quality standards.

• Monitor project cost management considerations, including manpower effort, fee utilisation, stage completion, change impact and cost-effective deployment of resources.

• Identify project risks, unresolved issues and potential non-conformities early, and lead practical solutions to maintain progress, quality and client confidence.

• Provide regular updates to the Project Director on project status, design direction, technical and regulatory matters, contractual issues, resource requirements and key risks.

Design, Technical & Construction Delivery

• Lead the translation of design intent into robust, buildable and coordinated architectural solutions.

• Guide design development, architectural detailing, material selection and technical documentation to ensure alignment with the client brief, budget, programme and statutory requirements.

• Review key drawings, specifications, tender documents, construction packages and submissions for quality, completeness, coordination and compliance.

• Ensure compliance with planning parameters, building regulations, codes of practice, authority requirements and relevant project-specific standards.

• Resolve design and technical issues with consultants, contractors and internal teams, balancing design quality, buildability, cost, programme and operational requirements.

• Maintain design and technical quality through the construction stage by reviewing site queries, shop drawings, material submissions, method proposals and design changes where required.

• Conduct site reviews and inspections to verify that works are carried out in accordance with the design intent, approved drawings, specifications and contractual requirements.

Client, Consultant, Contractor & Stakeholder Management

• Act as a senior point of contact for clients, consultants, contractors, authorities and internal stakeholders, representing the project leadership team where required.

• Lead or chair project, design, technical, consultant and site coordination meetings, ensuring decisions, actions and responsibilities are clearly followed through.

• Manage client expectations by communicating progress, risks, constraints and required decisions in a clear and professional manner.

• Coordinate closely with structural, M&E, C&S, QS, specialist consultants and contractors to resolve interdisciplinary issues and maintain project alignment.

• Support constructive working relationships that protect project outcomes, commercial interests and SAA's reputation for design and delivery quality.

Project Documentation, Contract Administration & Commercial Awareness

• Oversee the preparation, review and coordination of project documentation across design, tender, construction and completion stages.

• Lead the architectural team in producing complete, coordinated and buildable tender and construction documentation, including drawings, schedules, specifications and material selections.

• Support contract administration processes, including correspondence, instructions, clarifications, site records, progress claims, variations, extensions of time, defects matters and close-out documentation, in coordination with the Project Director and relevant consultants.

• Assist in the preparation and review of fee proposals, scope clarifications, appointments, project correspondence and contractual documentation.

• Track stage deliverables and support timely invoicing linked to agreed project milestones, scope and completion of services.

• Maintain appropriate project records, quality documentation and filing discipline in line with office, ISO and project requirements.

Team Leadership, Mentorship & Practice Contribution

• Lead, supervise and mentor project architects, architectural executives, technical staff and junior team members, setting clear expectations for quality, accountability and delivery.

• Build a collaborative and disciplined team culture that supports design excellence, technical learning, problem-solving and continuous improvement.

• Guide team members in consultant coordination, contractor engagement, authority submissions, site follow-up and project documentation.

• Contribute to office-wide initiatives, knowledge sharing, process improvement and project delivery standards where required.

• Support senior management in strengthening project governance, resource visibility and cross-team collaboration.

Pre-requisites and Preferred Qualifications

• At least 15 years of relevant architectural experience, including senior-level responsibility for complex projects from design through construction and completion.

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Architecture from an accredited institution.

• Registered Architect with the Board of Architects, Singapore, or equivalent professional registration is preferred.

• Strong track record in leading multidisciplinary project teams, managing client and consultant relationships, and resolving design, technical, regulatory and site issues.

• Sound understanding of Singapore planning parameters, building regulations, authority submission processes, codes of practice and contract administration requirements.

• Demonstrated ability to manage project resources, programme commitments, project documentation and cost-related considerations with discipline and commercial awareness.

• Experience in large-scale, complex or mixed-use developments in Singapore or the region will be advantageous.

• Strong design judgement, technical capability and buildability awareness, with the ability to balance creativity, compliance, cost, programme and construction realities.

• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence, mentor and work effectively across all levels.

• Proficiency in commonly used architectural and BIM/project delivery tools, including Revit or equivalent platforms, is preferred.