Director of Architecture

We’re working with a global multidisciplinary consultancy looking to appoint a Director of Architecture to lead the development of its buildings division in Riyadh.

The business has seen exceptional growth in recent years and, following significant investment, has ambitious plans to double in size over the coming years.

With around 2,000 people globally, developing its architecture and buildings offering in Saudi Arabia is a key priority.

This is a senior leadership appointment with significant scope to develop the business, establish new client relationships and build a team as the division grows.

The Role

We’re looking for someone entrepreneurial, commercially minded and well connected in the Saudi market. The position will be heavily focused on business development in its initial stages, with the opportunity to build and lead a team as the business develops.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing and executing the growth strategy for the architecture division in Saudi Arabia.
• Identifying new business opportunities, developing client relationships and securing major architectural commissions.
• Working closely with the regional and international leadership teams to develop the buildings offering.
• Leading client presentations, proposals and strategic business development initiatives.
• Building and developing an architecture team as the project pipeline grows.
• Taking overall responsibility for the division's commercial performance, project delivery and long-term development.

The Person

We’re particularly interested in speaking with senior architecture professionals who have a strong commercial background and the ambition to build a business.

Ideally, you will have:

• Significant experience in a senior architectural leadership position within an established international or multidisciplinary consultancy.
• An extensive network of clients, developers and key decision-makers in Saudi Arabia.
• A proven track record of business development and securing architectural projects.
• Experience building, managing and developing architectural teams.
• Strong commercial awareness, alongside a solid understanding of architectural design and project delivery.
• An entrepreneurial approach and the ability to work independently while drawing on the resources of a global business.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a key growth area within an established international business that has the investment, resources and ambition to support its expansion.

The successful candidate will have significant autonomy to shape the architecture division, develop its client base and build a team around them, with the backing of an established global consultancy.

For a senior architectural leader who enjoys the commercial side of the industry and wants to build something substantial in Saudi Arabia, this is a particularly interesting appointment.