Principal Architect / General Manager – Architecture, Design & Fit-Out

Role Overview

Principal Architect / General Manager – Architecture, Design & Fit-Out at Burjline Builders, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Full-time position.

Company Overview

An established Architecture, Design, Multimedia & Signage company currently delivering 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 overall operations, strategy, and business performance of the company. Combine strong architectural and project leadership with commercial and business development capabilities to expand the company beyond group projects and establish a strong external client portfolio in the Saudi market.

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Strategy

• Lead the overall operations, strategy, and business performance of the company.
• Establish efficient project management, design, quality, and operational processes.
• Monitor project profitability, budgets, resources, and overall business performance.
• Drive a culture of innovation, accountability, quality, and continuous improvement.

Project Leadership & Delivery

• 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.
• Review and approve design concepts, drawings, technical documents, and project deliverables.
• Ensure compliance with relevant Saudi building regulations, standards, and industry requirements.

Team Leadership

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

Stakeholder Management & Client Relations

• Coordinate with clients, consultants, contractors, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Lead client presentations, proposals, commercial negotiations, and project opportunities.
• Represent the company in client meetings, industry events, networking activities, and business development initiatives.

Business Development & Growth

• 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.

Commercial Management

• Develop pricing, proposals, contracts, and commercial strategies in coordination with the relevant teams.
• Manage budgets, project profitability, contracts, and commercial negotiations.

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.
• Strong understanding of the Saudi market and relevant regulations.
• Saudi or GCC experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong network and relationships within the Saudi or 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.