Principal Architect / General Manager – Architecture & Fit-Out

Role Overview

Principal Architect / General Manager – Architecture & Fit-Out at Burjline Builders, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Full-time position leading overall operations, project delivery, design excellence, and business growth for an established Architecture, Design, Multimedia & Signage company.

Company Overview

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.

Role Purpose

Lead the complete operation of the company while combining design expertise, project delivery, commercial management, and business development. Transform the company from primarily serving internal and group projects into a strong external Architecture, Design & Fit-Out service provider in the Saudi market.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Business Development

• Lead overall operations, strategy, and business performance of the company.
• 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.
• Represent the company in client meetings, industry events, networking activities, and business development initiatives.

Project Delivery & Operations

• 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.
• Establish efficient project management, design, quality, and operational processes.
• Monitor project profitability, budgets, resources, and overall business performance.

Design & Quality Management

• Review and approve design concepts, drawings, technical documents, and project deliverables.
• Drive a culture of innovation, accountability, quality, and continuous improvement.

Team Leadership

• Lead and manage architects, designers, project managers, engineers, and other teams.
• Manage multidisciplinary teams and multiple projects simultaneously.

Stakeholder Management & Commercial

• Coordinate with clients, consultants, contractors, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Lead client presentations, proposals, commercial negotiations, and project opportunities.
• Develop pricing, proposals, contracts, and commercial strategies in coordination with relevant teams.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with relevant Saudi building regulations, standards, and industry requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

• 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 or 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.
• Demonstrated experience in business development, client acquisition, and external project development.
• Experience managing budgets, project profitability, contracts, and commercial negotiations.
• Saudi/GCC experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong network and relationships within the Saudi/GCC F&B, retail, hospitality, and construction market is highly preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Architectural leadership.
• General management.
• F&B and retail projects.
• Fit-out and project delivery.
• Business development.
• Client acquisition and networking.
• Team leadership.
• Project and P&L management.
• Commercial negotiation.
• Design and quality management.
• Strategic planning.
• Saudi market knowledge.
• Strong understanding of architecture, interior design, construction, fit-out, and project delivery.
• Strong knowledge of BIM and modern architectural and design technologies.
• Excellent leadership, communication, presentation, negotiation, and decision-making skills.