Senior Retail & Commercial Architect — Remote-First Leader

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Remote-first work model

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Retail and Commercial Architect to steer design for retail stores, shopping centers, offices, and hospitality venues. You will translate brand identities into functional, high-performance spaces while collaborating with clients, marketing teams and developers.

This remote-first role offers flexibility to work from East London, Eastern Cape, or other approved locations, and involves delivering across diverse regions with emphasis on design excellence and client

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Architecture is required.
• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in retail and commercial architecture.
• Proficiency in architectural design software (Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Experience with national or international retail brands is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural design and development of retail, commercial, and hospitality projects from concept to completion.
• Collaborate with clients to understand brand, audience, and business goals to inform design decisions.
• Develop innovative space plans optimizing customer flow, merchandising, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure designs meet building codes, accessibility standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Produce high-quality architectural drawings, 3D models, and presentations.
• Coordinate with engineering consultants and contractors throughout the project lifecycle.
• Stay current with retail design trends, materials, and technology innovations.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and client relationships effectively.

Skills

Project management

Client liaison

Communication

Independent work

Education

Master's degree in Architecture

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

SketchUp

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Placements24 seeks a Lead Retail and Commercial Architect to steer design for retail stores, shopping centers, offices, and hospitality venues. You will translate brand identities into functional, high-performance spaces while collaborating with clients, marketing teams and developers.

This remote-first role offers flexibility to work from East London, Eastern Cape, or other approved locations, and involves delivering across diverse regions with emphasis on design excellence and client