Principal Architect​/General Manager – Architecture, Design & Fit

Job Overview

We are looking for an experienced

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Employment Type: Full-Time

We are looking for an experienced Principal Architect / General Manager to lead the overall operations, project delivery, design excellence, and business growth of an established Architecture, Design, Multimedia & Signage company
.

The company currently delivers F&B, retail, restaurant, café, and fit-out projects
, primarily supporting major brands and businesses within a diversified group. The next phase of growth is focused on expanding into external projects and building a strong third-party client portfolio
.

The ideal candidate will combine strong architectural and project leadership with commercial and business development capabilities.

• Lead the overall operations, strategy, and business performance of the company.
• Oversee architecture, interior design, fit-out, signage, and related project activities.
• Manage end-to-end delivery of F&B, restaurant, café, retail, and commercial projects.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and according to quality standards.
• Lead and manage architects, designers, project managers, engineers, and other teams.
• Review and approve design concepts, drawings, technical documents, and project deliverables.
• Coordinate with clients, consultants, contractors, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Develop and implement business strategies to expand the company beyond group projects.
• Identify and develop new external clients and business opportunities across Saudi Arabia.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with developers, F&B brands, retailers, hospitality companies, and corporate clients.
• Lead client presentations, proposals, commercial negotiations, and project opportunities.
• Develop pricing, proposals, contracts, and commercial strategies in coordination with the relevant teams.
• Monitor project profitability, budgets, resources, and overall business performance.
• Establish efficient project management, design, quality, and operational processes.
• Ensure compliance with relevant Saudi building regulations, standards, and industry requirements.
• Represent the company in client meetings, industry events, networking activities, and business development initiatives.
• Drive a culture of innovation, accountability, quality, and continuous improvement.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture.
• 15+ years of professional architectural experience, with significant leadership experience.
• Minimum 7 years in a senior management / leadership position.
• Strong experience in F&B, restaurant, café, retail, hospitality, commercial, and fit-out projects.
• Proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams and multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of architecture, interior design, construction, fit-out, and project delivery.
• Demonstrated experience in business development, client acquisition, and external project development.
• Strong network and relationships within the Saudi/GCC F&B, retail, hospitality, and construction market is highly preferred.
• Experience managing budgets, project profitability, contracts, and commercial negotiations.
• Strong knowledge of BIM and modern architectural/design technologies.
• Excellent leadership, communication, presentation, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
• Strong understanding of the Saudi market and relevant regulations.
• Saudi/GCC experience is strongly preferred.

• Architectural Leadership
• General Management
• F&B & Retail Projects
• Fit-Out & Project Delivery
• Business Development
• Client Acquisition & Networking
• Team Leadership
• Project & P&L Management
• Commercial Negotiation
• Design & Quality Management
• Strategic Planning
• Saudi Market Knowledge

A senior architect and business leader who can manage the complete operation of the company while combining design expertise, project delivery, commercial management, and business development
. The ideal candidate should be capable of taking the company from primarily serving internal/group projects to becoming a strong external Architecture, Design & Fit-Out service provider in the Saudi market
.