Senior Architect - Hotel & Resort Projects

About the role

A Senior Architect is sought with strong, practical knowledge of Dubai authority regulations, architectural submissions and approval procedures. The role leads regulatory compliance and submissions for complex developments, coordinating architectural design, consultants and site teams, with particular emphasis on hotel and resort projects.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the preparation, coordination and submission of complete architectural approval packages, including drawings, schedules, technical reports and supporting documentation.
• Interpret and apply Dubai and UAE regulations, development controls, building codes, fire and life-safety requirements, accessibility standards and master-developer guidelines.
• Liaise directly with authorities such as Dubai Municipality, Trakhees, Nakheel and the Dubai Civil Defense to obtain permits, NOCs and statutory approvals.
• Manage authority comments, drawing revisions, resubmissions, design amendments and approval trackers to timely closure.
• Verify submissions for plot limits, setbacks, heights, floor-area calculations, circulation and means of escape.
• Review architectural concepts, design-development packages and technical drawings, and coordinate with structural, MEP, fire/life-safety, interior design and specialist consultants, resolving clashes and approval risks.
• Ensure hotel and resort designs meet operational planning, guest circulation, back-of-house areas, service access and hospitality design requirements.
• Oversee CAD documentation, drawing quality, specifications, details and issue control.
• Support construction with technical clarifications, design changes, RFIs, shop drawing reviews and material submissions, and guide architects and draughting staff.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture from a recognised university.
• Valid Dubai Municipality (DM) G+12 Architect certification/registration, mandatory.
• Minimum 5 years of professional architectural experience, including significant work on projects in Dubai / the UAE.
• Proven hands-on experience in authority liaison, regulatory compliance, formal submissions, permit applications and approval follow-up.
• Mandatory hospitality experience: direct involvement in at least one hotel or resort development, preferably including design coordination and authority approvals.
• Strong written and verbal English, technical reporting, document control and stakeholder management.

Required skills

• Sound working knowledge of Dubai authority procedures; experience with Trakhees, Nakheel and other master developers is strongly preferred.
• Strong AutoCAD capability and review of layouts, technical details, schedules, specifications and statutory submission drawings.
• Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary consultants and resolve technical and authority-related design matters.