Senior Architect

About us

Al Balad Development Company (BDC), wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund, is the heritage-focused master developer and asset manager of the Jeddah Historical District. Its aim is to provide an authentic experience, build a vibrant and creative community, and establish Jeddah Historical District as an economic center and a global historical destination inspired by Jeddah’s ancient heritage and diverse culture.

The Senior Manager, Architecture oversees architectural design activities, ensuring alignment with development goals, heritage preservation standards, and regulatory requirements. This role bridges creative architectural concepts with practical and technical design implementation, ensuring all projects comply with JHD regulations and align with BDC’s strategic objectives. The Senior Manager will coordinate with other departments and lead a team of architects to deliver high-quality designs that meet client expectations and organizational goals.

This position requires a combination of technical expertise, creative vision, and strong leadership to drive successful projects from concept through to completion.

• Ensure designs comply with JHD regulations, including Heritage Impact Assessments (HIA), architectural guidelines, and utilities company requirements.
• Lead the timely completion of HIA and AIA clearances by coordinating with JHD, ensuring the required documentation and plans are submitted on schedule.
• Make critical decisions based on clearance issuance or delays, balancing project timelines and stakeholder expectations.
• Manage the review and approval of designs during the design review process, ensuring alignment with project goals and heritage preservation standards.

• Identify and resolve engineering and design challenges early, preventing downstream impacts on project delivery.
• Oversee feasibility studies, ensuring that designs address site-specific challenges, budgets, and JHD guidelines.
• Guide teams in incorporating modern utilities and infrastructure without compromising historical aesthetics.

• Oversee the design stages, ensuring that projects progress according to schedule, within budget, and meet stakeholder requirements.
• Ensure key design stage gates are met, reviewing technical submissions and ensuring they align with overall project goals.

• Lead the architectural team, consultants, and external partners, providing clear direction and resolving disputes to maintain project progress.
• Act decisively to resolve design challenges, ensuring solutions meet technical, aesthetic, and regulatory requirements.

• Serve as the liaison between design consultants, engineers, project management teams, and JHD regulators to ensure smooth integration of architectural solutions into broader project goals.
• Communicate project requirements and design intent to stakeholders, managing feedback and obtaining approvals in a timely manner.

• Ensure design outputs meet BDC’s strategic objectives, budget goals, and quality standards.
• Hold design teams accountable for delivering on time, within budget, and meeting all heritage preservation and regulatory requirements.

• Ensure that all architectural designs adhere to JHD regulations, including heritage preservation standards and local building codes.
• Collaborate with JHD regulators, consultants, and stakeholders to secure necessary approvals and mitigate risks.

• Oversee design budgeting and ensure that architectural designs are developed within approved financial parameters.
• Work closely with finance, procurement, and project management teams to balance cost-efficient designs with quality, compliance, and heritage preservation goals.

• Establish and enforce design standards and best practices, ensuring consistency and quality across all design deliverables.
• Lead value engineering sessions to ensure designs are cost-effective while maintaining project quality and compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or a related field.
• 8–10 years of total experience in architecture, including 3–5 years in a managerial role overseeing design teams and projects.