Director / Senior Director, Design

A career at SAA gives you the opportunity to be part of a team that makes a real difference to people’s lives; creating places and spaces that form meaningful experiences in the way people connect with their communities.

From the moment of ideation to the exhilaration of creation, you will be amongst passionate and talented colleagues from around the globe, working together to make a mark in the evolution of our urban societies.

At SAA, we continually strive to enrich the greatest endeavour of all – human life – the quality of which all good designs are benchmarked against. And in this endeavour, we share with you the opportunity to give true meaning to the work that sustains it.

SAA. Building Dreams, Enriching Lives.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a dynamic, passionate, and experienced senior-level design and architectural professional to lead and oversee architectural design works within SAA . This individual will play a pivotal role in shaping the design strategy, conceptualising and developing architectural proposals, through design development, through to tender documentation, maintaining design quality through to construction, ensuring that design projects align with the company’s objectives.

Your Responsibilities

• Design Strategy: Develop and implement design strategies that align with the organisation's goals, brand identity, and market positioning.

• Design Leadership: Provide visionary leadership to the design team, setting the creative direction, and inspiring designers to achieve their best work.

• Design and Design Development: Collaborate closely with the design team to develop conceptual and detailed architectural designs, materials specifications, and ensure alignment with client’s briefs, budgets, and timelines.

• Creative Direction: Provide creative direction and guidance to designers, offering constructive feedback to enhance their work.

• Design Quality Control: Maintain high design standards and review design work to ensure it meets these standards and adheres to brand guidelines.

• Resource Management: Allocate and manage design resources, including designers, freelancers, and agencies, to meet project demands.

• Trend and Technology Awareness: Stay updated on design trends, emerging technologies, and industry best practices to incorporate innovative design solutions.

• Budget Oversight: Maintain a sustainable Project Cost Plan by monitoring the deployment of manpower and checking on the cost effectiveness of resource deployment (time/ information/equipment) while maintaining design quality and project timelines.

• Design Presentations: Present design concepts and strategies to clients, executives, or stakeholders, effectively communicating the vision and rationale behind design decisions.

• Client Management: Actively interfacing and liaison with client and client representatives to achieve project approvals and milestones.

• Team Supervision and Development: Guide, supervise, and coordinate the design team and assigned team members to ensure timely and objective-aligned project delivery. Provide support and direction.

• Project Management: Oversee all aspects of the project, including design, technical compliance, contracts, and execution. Ensure project aligns with cost, resource plans, and quality and regulatory standards. Lead, manage, and review pre-design work and feasibility studies, site, and zoning analyses.

• Stakeholder Liaison: Lead coordination and communication with clients, consultants, contractors, and internal team members. Chair and attend necessary meetings to maintain project alignment and to resolve issues.

• Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance: Ensure project compliance with relevant codes, standards, and regulatory requirements. Oversee the preparation and submission of required documentation for approvals. Implement and monitor practice and processes to ensure quality delivery.

• Project Administration: Prepare fee proposals, contracts, and manage project payments. Keep the project within budget and on schedule.

• Additional Responsibilities: Take on additional management support tasks as necessary, drive collaboration between project teams, and perform other project-related duties to support continuous improvement and project success.

Pre-requisites and Preferred Qualifications

• At least 15 years of relevant experience.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture. Advanced degrees or certifications in design and/ or design management will be advantageous.

• Has comprehensive knowledge of and extensive experience in the architecture industry, with a proven track record of successful design projects and leadership roles.

• Shows a deep understanding of local building codes and planning parameters, especially for complex mixed-development projects.

• Exhibits strong analytical capabilities coupled with effective management skills, including the ability to inspire and guide a creative team.

• Capable of leading project teams and resolving issues quickly and effectively throughout project development.

• A collaborative and strategic thinker, focused on achieving optimal project outcomes.

• Possesses excellent verbal and written communication abilities.

• Demonstrates the ability to manage time efficiently to meet challenging deadlines and client requirements.

• Creative with a keen sense of aesthetic judgment.

Real Impact, Made Together

SAA is a member of the Surbana Jurong (SJ) Group, a diverse and collaborative collective of problem solvers for the built environment, continually reimagining ways to create a smart and sustainable future.

As one of SJ’s 10 member companies, SAA is part of a global network of professionals in more than 120 offices in over 40 countries.