Director Of Architecture

Description

At Qiddiya Investment Company, we are shaping a landmark destination redefining entertainment, culture and hospitality in the Kingdom. The Hospitality Business Unit is developing a portfolio of hotel assets central to this vision. As these assets progress, we are seeking experienced professionals to help deliver them to the highest standards of design quality, guest experience and commercial performance.

In this role, you will lead the creative architectural design agenda across the hospitality portfolio, defining design principles and shaping hotel concepts from development brief to endorsed design direction, while overseeing consultants and ensuring design integrity, technical compliance and performance are maintained through delivery.

Key responsibilities

Lead the architectural definition of hotel concepts from development brief to approved design direction, curating distinctive, emotive and commercially viable responses aligned with Qiddiya, district and Operator visions

Articulate and position architectural design proposals to secure alignment and timely outcomes through key governance stages

Define architectural design principles, typologies and performance benchmarks for each hotel tier, establishing consistent and validated design baselines across the portfolio

Oversee consultant briefing and scope definition, validating architectural scope and specialist inputs to ensure alignment with development briefs, asset positioning, Operator requirements and governance approvals

Oversee visualisation and design communication (including CGI strategy), ensuring concepts are clearly articulated and aligned with design narratives and stakeholder expectations

Lead and govern architecture and specialist consultants, driving strategic approaches on appointment, scope and deliverables and overseeing performance, quality and creative alignment

Provide functional governance to project-embedded design management teams, reviewing and endorsing architectural deliverables to ensure approved design intent is maintained through delivery

Lead technical input to development briefs, shaping planning efficiency, gross-to-net ratios, spatial configuration and system integration for hospitality assets

Drive integrated coordination across architecture, interiors, landscape and technical disciplines, resolving interfaces and ensuring cohesive design outcomes

Lead structured review of design submissions across key milestones, providing clear feedback and endorsement to support design progression

Provide creative and technical design oversight through design and construction, resolving interfaces and deviations to maintain design quality and intent

Guide value engineering and design optimisation, balancing design intent, guest experience and asset performance

Champion sustainability and climate-responsive design, embedding ESG and Vision 2030 priorities

Mentor teams and drive continuous improvement of design processes, standards and best practices

Requirements

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or related discipline

Professional certifications

Professional membership or recognised certification preferred (e.g. RIBA, AIA, RICS or equivalent)

Years of experience

15+ years’ experience in architectural design with a strong hospitality focus across luxury and mixed-tier projects

Skills & attributes required

Strong architectural design literacy, judgement and technical review capability across all project stages

Fluent understanding of hospitality planning (areas, efficiencies etc.) and building systems (structural, MEP integration etc.)

Ability to manage consultants and influence design outcomes

Commercial awareness of cost and programme impacts

Strong stakeholder management skills, articulating design intent to secure alignment and drive decision-making

Comfortable operating in fast-paced environments, managing ambiguity and shifting priorities

Proficiency in design management and coordination tools (e.g. Revit, BIM, CDE platforms, Aconex, Autodesk Construction Cloud etc.)

Preferred background & experience

Experience in a senior design leadership role (Design Director, Principal or similar) within a major architecture practice or developer environment

Proven track record of managing architect and multi-disciplinary consultant environments across multiple projects

Strong experience presenting architectural concepts to senior stakeholders and Operators

Experience working with international hotel Operators and brand standards

Experience in KSA / GCC or similar large-scale development environments preferred