Director - Architecture - Hospitality - 20013111 HS8

At Qiddiya Investment Company, we are shaping a landmark destination redefining entertainment, culture and hospitality in the Kingdom. The Hospitality Business Unit is developing a portfolio of hotel assets central to this vision. As these assets progress, we are seeking experienced professionals to help deliver them to the highest standards of design quality, guest experience and commercial performance.In this role, you will lead the creative architectural design agenda across the hospitality portfolio, defining design principles and shaping hotel concepts from development brief to endorsed design direction, while overseeing consultants and ensuring design integrity, technical compliance and performance are maintained through delivery.Key ResponsibilitiesLead the architectural definition of hotel concepts from development brief to approved design direction, curating distinctive, emotive and commercially viable responses aligned with Qiddiya, district and Operator visionsArticulate and position architectural design proposals to secure alignment and timely outcomes through key governance stagesDefine architectural design principles, typologies and performance benchmarks for each hotel tier, establishing consistent and validated design baselines across the portfolioOversee consultant briefing and scope definition, validating architectural scope and specialist inputs to ensure alignment with development briefs, asset positioning, Operator requirements and governance approvalsOversee visualisation and design communication (including CGI strategy), ensuring concepts are clearly articulated and aligned with design narratives and stakeholder expectationsLead and govern architecture and specialist consultants, driving strategic approaches on appointment, scope and deliverables and overseeing performance, quality and creative alignmentProvide functional governance to project-embedded design management teams, reviewing and endorsing architectural deliverables to ensure approved design intent is maintained through deliveryLead technical input to development briefs, shaping planning efficiency, gross-to-net ratios, spatial configuration and system integration for hospitality assetsDrive integrated coordination across architecture, interiors, landscape and technical disciplines, resolving interfaces and ensuring cohesive design outcomesLead structured review of design submissions across key milestones, providing clear feedback and endorsement to support design progressionProvide creative and technical design oversight through design and construction, resolving interfaces and deviations to maintain design quality and intentGuide value engineering and design optimisation, balancing design intent, guest experience and asset performanceChampion sustainability and climate-responsive design, embedding ESG and Vision 2030 prioritiesMentor teams and drive continuous improvement of design processes, standards and best practices QualificationsBachelor’s degree in Architecture or related disciplineProfessional Certifications Professional membership or recognised certification preferred (e.g. RIBA, AIA, RICS or equivalent) Years of Experience15+ years’ experience in architectural design with a strong hospitality focus across luxury and mixed-tier projects Skills & Attributes RequiredStrong architectural design literacy, judgement and technical review capability across all project stagesFluent understanding of hospitality planning (areas, efficiencies etc.) and building systems (structural, MEP integration etc.)Ability to manage consultants and influence design outcomesCommercial awareness of cost and programme impactsStrong stakeholder management skills, articulating design intent to secure alignment and drive decision-makingComfortable operating in fast-paced environments, managing ambiguity and shifting prioritiesProficiency in design management and coordination tools (e.g. Revit, BIM, CDE platforms, Aconex, Autodesk Construction Cloud etc.)Preferred Background & ExperienceExperience in a senior design leadership role (Design Director, Principal or similar) within a major architecture practice or developer environmentProven track record of managing architect and multi-disciplinary consultant environments across multiple projectsStrong experience presenting architectural concepts to senior stakeholders and OperatorsExperience working with international hotel Operators and brand standardsExperience in KSA / GCC or similar large-scale development environments preferred