Principal Healthcare Architect

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary package

Professional development

Leadership opportunities

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Healthcare Architect to lead major hospital expansions and new medical centers in Pretoria, Gauteng. This senior role requires deep healthcare planning expertise, patient-centric design focus, and strong regulatory knowledge.

You will oversee the entire architectural process, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, mentor junior staff, and ensure projects meet timelines and budgets while delivering healing environments that enhance patient outcomes and staff efficiency.

Qualifications

• SAIA-registered architect with a professional degree (B.Arch/M.Arch).
• Minimum 12 years architectural experience, 7+ years in healthcare facilities.
• Led major hospital or complex medical facility projects.
• Strong knowledge of healthcare planning, medical equipment integration, and workflows.
• Proficient in Revit, BIM, and project-management tools.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and client management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and planning of large-scale healthcare facilities such as hospitals and clinics.
• Develop strategies addressing functional, technological, and clinical needs of healthcare environments.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams for seamless integration of architectural, engineering and medical planning elements in Gauteng.
• Engage with clients, hospital admins, medical staff to define project requirements and achieve consensus.
• Ensure compliance with healthcare codes, regulations, accessibility, and infection control guidelines.
• Manage timelines, budgets and resources to deliver high-quality healthcare architecture.
• Mentor junior architects and healthcare design specialists.
• Conduct site analyses and feasibility studies for new developments and renovations.
• Stay updated on global trends and best practices in healthcare design.

Skills

Leadership

Project mgmt

Healthcare planning

Revit

BIM

Client management

Regulatory knowledge

Education

B.Arch/M.Arch degree

SAIA registration

Tools

Revit

BIM

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading architectural firm specializing in complex healthcare facilities, is seeking a highly accomplished Principal Healthcare Architect to lead critical projects in Pretoria, Gauteng . This senior role demands a deep understanding of healthcare planning, patient-centric design, and the intricate regulatory landscape governing medical facilities. You will be responsible for overseeing the entire architectural process for major hospital expansions, new medical centers, and specialized clinics. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional leadership skills, a proven track record in delivering complex healthcare projects on time and within budget, and a commitment to creating healing environments that enhance patient outcomes and operational efficiency. You will collaborate closely with healthcare providers, administrators, engineers, and regulatory bodies to translate visionary concepts into functional, state-of-the-art healthcare facilities in Pretoria .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and planning of large-scale healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and specialized medical centers.
• Develop architectural strategies that respond to the unique functional, technological, and clinical needs of healthcare environments.
• Oversee the coordination of multidisciplinary design teams, ensuring seamless integration of architectural, engineering, and medical planning elements in Gauteng .
• Engage directly with clients, hospital administrators, medical staff, and stakeholders to define project requirements and achieve design consensus.
• Ensure strict adherence to healthcare building codes, regulations, accessibility standards, and infection control guidelines.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources, ensuring efficient delivery of high-quality healthcare architecture.
• Mentor and guide junior architects and healthcare design specialists within the firm.
• Conduct site analyses and feasibility studies for new healthcare developments and renovations.
• Stay abreast of the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in healthcare design globally.

Requirements

• Professional degree in Architecture (B.Arch or M.Arch) and professional registration with SAIA.
• Minimum of 12 years of architectural experience, with at least 7 years specifically focused on healthcare facilities.
• Demonstrated experience as a lead architect on major hospital or complex medical facility projects in Pretoria or similar environments.
• In-depth knowledge of healthcare planning principles, medical equipment integration, and departmental workflows.
• Proficiency in architectural design software (Revit is essential), BIM, and project management tools.
• Strong understanding of South African healthcare regulations, building codes, and standards.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and client management skills.
• Ability to effectively manage complex projects and coordinate diverse stakeholder interests.
• A portfolio showcasing successful and innovative healthcare architectural projects.
• Commitment to creating healing environments that prioritize patient well-being and staff efficiency.

Benefits

• Highly attractive salary and benefits package, including performance incentives.
• Opportunity to lead prestigious and impactful healthcare projects in Pretoria .
• Professional development opportunities and support for continued learning in healthcare architecture.
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment fostering innovation and excellence.
• Contribution to a firm renowned for its expertise in healthcare facility design.
• Potential for significant career advancement and leadership within the firm.