Director, Operations Manager, Management

We are seeking an accomplished Director – Architecture to lead and grow a team in Abu Dhabi. This is a senior leadership role for a qualified Architect with a strong Middle East track record, proven business development capability, and the ability to build, mentor, and scale high-performing teams.

The successful candidate will combine design leadership with commercial acumen, leveraging an established regional client network to drive growth across mixed-use, hospitality, commercial and master planning developments.

• Provide strategic leadership, aligning design excellence with business objectives.
• Build, lead, and mentor a multidisciplinary architectural team, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Contribute to regional growth strategy in collaboration with senior leadership team.

• Lead business development initiatives, including identifying opportunities, developing client relationships, and securing new work.
• Leverage an established network of clients, developers, consultants, and authorities across the UAE and wider Middle East.
• Represent the practice at client meetings, industry events, and public forums.

• Provide design direction and technical oversight across projects from concept through delivery.
• Ensure projects meet client expectations, design quality standards, budgets, and schedules.
• Oversee coordination with consultants, authorities, and stakeholders.

• Maintain strong knowledge of the regional development market, trends, and regulatory environment.
• Contribute to fee proposals, negotiations, resourcing strategies, and financial performance of the studio.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture; professional registration required.
• 15+ years of professional experience, with significant time spent in the Middle East, ideally UAE.
• Proven experience in a senior leadership role (Director, Associate Director, or equivalent).
• Strong business development background with a demonstrable ability to win work.
• Established client and developer network across mixed‑use, hospitality, and commercial sectors.
• Experience growing and managing architectural teams and studios.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong understanding of local authority processes, codes, and approvals.