Job Description

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next!At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what’s possible.

Senior Manager - Architect

Parsons, Abu Dhabi

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.

Parsons equally employs representation at all job levels no matter the race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.

We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!

Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices. To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer tohttps://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/