Senior Manager - Architect

Parsons Corporation

Parsons is looking for an amazingly talented Senior Manager - Architectural to join our team in Abu Dhabi, UAE! In this role you will get to provide architectural specific services to one of Abu Dhabi's largest clients.

Core Responsibilities:

Design Leadership & Project Delivery:

• Manage architectural design delivery from concept through tender and construction stages across industrial, commercial, retail, office, and specialized developments.
• Manage project timelines, design programs, and coordination processes.
• Represent the Employer in all architectural and design-related matters.
• Provide direction to consultants and design teams to ensure alignment with project vision and objectives.
• Manage design programs and ensure milestones and deliverables are achieved in line with project schedules.
• Collaborate with investment, finance, and business development teams to create feasible planning, floor area programs, access and connectivity analysis, and infrastructure implications.

Design Review & Design Control:

• Review layouts, drawings, models, and specifications for compliance, accuracy, and constructability.
• Identify technical risks, coordination conflicts, and design inefficiencies.
• Ensure consultant submissions meet project briefs, authority regulations, and technical standards.
• Ensure designs reflect operational efficiency for industrial assets, functionality for office and commercial environments, customer experience for retail assets, and security/privacy considerations for VIP facilities.
• Assess technical submissions for constructability, coordination, safety, and performance requirements.
• Support development of technical standards, design guidelines, and development briefs for future projects.

Value Engineering & Design Optimization:

• Lead value engineering exercises to improve cost, performance, and lifecycle efficiency.
• Recommend design improvements to enhance usability, functionality, and sustainability.
• Assess materials, systems, and construction approaches for optimization opportunities.
• Support selection of technically and commercially viable design solutions.

Consultant Oversight & Delivery Design Management:

• Coordinate architects, engineers, BIM teams, contractors, and specialist consultants.
• Lead design coordination meetings and technical workshops.
• Resolve design issues raised during review, construction, or coordination stages.
• Maintain effective communication between internal teams, consultants, and authorities.

Design Production, Documentation & Quality Assurance:

• Review specifications and technical documentation to ensure suitability for diverse project typologies, including industrial facilities, office environments, retail developments, and VIP buildings.

• Ensure materials and systems meet durability, operational, safety, and design quality requirements.
• Support the development of design guidelines and technical standards to ensure consistency across future developments.

Strategic & Commercial Contribution:

• Support feasibility studies, design briefs, and technical input for development decisions.
• Provide technical input to feasibility studies, development planning, and investment decision-making.
• Support the assessment of industrial land-use requirements, building typologies, and operational needs.
• Provide recommendations to senior management on design risks and opportunities.
• Ensure design solutions align with cost targets, schedules, and market expectations.

Educational and Technical Qualifications:

• Bachelor s Degree in Architecture (required)
• Proven experience in at least several of the following sectors:

• Industrial & logistics facilities
• Office and commercial buildings
• Retail developments
• Hospitality or mixed-use developments
• Governmental, institutional, or VIP buildings
• Demonstrated ability to manage consultants and coordinate multidisciplinary teams across full project lifecycle.
• Strong architectural detailing and coordination capability
• Understanding of industrial operational requirements and logistics flows
• Experience in workplace, commercial, or retail design considerations

Language Skills:

Written and Spoken English is essential, Arabic is preferred

Tools:

AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Project.

Preferred: Revit / BIM workflows/SketchUp / visualization tools

Years of Experience:

• Minimum 15+ years in architecture, design management, or project delivery
• Proven experience in mixed-use, residential, hospitality, commercial, and industrial developments
• Experience managing consultants and multidisciplinary teams across full project lifecycle.

Nature of Experience:

Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and presentation skills.