Senior Architect

The Senior Architect – Head of Architectural Design Review plays a pivotal leadership role in shaping the architectural vision and urban identity of Taif. The position is responsible for ensuring that all architectural submissions from consultants, design offices, and stakeholders comply with the Taif Architectural Design Guidelines (ADGs) and reflect the region’s cultural identity and architectural heritage. This role requires a high level of architectural expertise, technical proficiency, leadership capability, cultural sensitivity, and stakeholder engagement.

Key Responsibilities 1. Leadership in Architectural Design Review

Act as the principal authority overseeing all architectural design review processes within Taif.

Lead, manage, and mentor the architectural design review team—assigning tasks, monitoring progress, and ensuring accountability and performance.

Ensure that architectural designs comply with technical standards while preserving Taif’s cultural and historical identity.

Deliver comprehensive, constructive evaluations of design submissions and issue formal review reports with actionable recommendations.

2. Stakeholder Engagement & Technical Guidance

Engage directly with consultants, design firms, developers, and property owners through one-on-one sessions to provide feedback and clarify ADG requirements.

Act as a trusted advisor, helping teams align creative vision with regulatory and cultural expectations.

Plan, facilitate, and lead workshops and technical sessions to build capacity for effective guideline implementation.

3. Guideline Oversight & Continuous Improvement

Conduct ongoing reviews of the Taif ADGs to ensure their clarity, relevance, and effectiveness.

Collect and synthesize feedback from users to identify implementation challenges and successes.

Lead updates of key tools including submission checklists, design templates, and evaluation criteria.

4. Regulatory Compliance & Monitoring

Liaise with relevant authorities to clarify compliance positions and align interpretations.

Prepare and disseminate compliance reports to stakeholders, outlining risks, changes, and requirements.

5. Cultural Integration

Ensure architectural proposals reflect Saudi design values and the historical context of Taif.

Promote design solutions that use local materials, traditional forms, and support urban character.

Embed cultural principles into internal workflows, tools, and educational content.

6. Research & Thought Leadership

Lead and support research initiatives on architectural guidelines, urban form, and heritage.

Translate findings into practical guidance, new standards, and internal resources.

Author internal briefs and contribute to thought leadership in architecture and design.

7. Quality Control & Site Review

Conduct site inspections to ensure projects align with approved design intentions and quality benchmarks.

Establish and enforce robust quality control measures across all design review processes.

8. Team Development & Capacity Building

Mentor and train junior architects and internal staff to build technical and leadership capacity.

Oversee documentation of training programs and implement performance evaluation metrics.

Foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment focused on learning and innovation.

9. Workshop & Presentation Development

Design high-quality workshop content tailored to various audiences, including consultants and municipal staff.

Deliver presentations to clarify design standards, promote guideline adherence, and inspire compliance.

Performance Measures

Quality, clarity, and timeliness of design reviews and reports.

Stakeholder satisfaction and engagement outcomes.

Compliance levels across reviewed projects.

Effectiveness and impact of training sessions and workshops.

Relevance and quality of updates to guidelines and review tools.

Contribution to research and thought leadership in architectural practice.

Requirements Educational Background

Minimum : Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or related field

Required : Master’s degree in Architecture or Urban Design

Professional Experience

Minimum of 5 + years in architectural design, with a strong portfolio of built projects.

Licenses & Certifications

Licensed Architect (mandatory)

LEED Accreditation (preferred)

Technical Skills

Proficiency in architectural software : AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp

Familiarity with graphic design tools : Adobe Creative Suite

Core Competencies

Strong leadership and project management abilities

Exceptional analytical and creative problem-solving skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to clearly present and communicate complex design ideas

Collaborative mindset and ability to work under pressure

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