Senior Lead Designer / Senior Lead Design Architect (Hospitality) (MBJ0202)

Senior Lead Designer / Senior Lead Design Architect

Location: Dubai, UAE

A leading international design studio specialising in master planning, architecture, and interiors is seeking a Senior Lead Designer / Senior Lead Design Architect to join its growing Dubai team.

The practice is known for delivering high-end hospitality, resort, and mixed-use developments across global markets, with a strong emphasis on creating design-led, experience-driven environments rooted in context, culture, and long-term value.

This is a senior creative leadership position, offering the opportunity to shape landmark hospitality and destination projects across the Middle East and internationally.

The Role

You will take a leading role in driving design vision across a portfolio of complex, high-profile projects. This position is suited to a highly creative architect with strong conceptual ability and a passion for storytelling through design and guest experience.

Working closely with internal teams, clients, and external consultants, you will guide projects from early concept through to delivery, ensuring design integrity, innovation, and technical quality are maintained throughout.

You will also play an important role in mentoring team members, contributing to studio culture, and supporting broader business development initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the overall design vision and creative direction across hospitality, resort, mixed-use, and destination projects
• Develop strong architectural concepts rooted in narrative, context, and user experience
• Uphold high design standards and champion innovation throughout all project stages
• Lead client presentations, workshops, and design discussions with clarity and confidence
• Act as a key design contact for clients, operators, consultants, and development teams
• Guide and mentor multidisciplinary teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment
• Work closely with project leadership to support delivery, programme, and commercial objectives
• Oversee the progression of design from concept through schematic and detailed design stages
• Contribute to construction phase activities, including site reviews and design oversight
• Support business development through proposals, competitions, and design-led submissions
• Represent the studio in external engagements, including industry events and client meetings
• Promote forward-thinking approaches in sustainability, materials, and digital design tools

Requirements

• 15-17 years of professional experience in architecture
• Degree in Architecture (Bachelor's or Master's)
• Professional registration (RIBA, ARB, AIA, or equivalent preferred)
• Strong background in hospitality, resorts, luxury destinations, and mixed-use developments
• Exceptional design portfolio demonstrating concept development, storytelling, and placemaking
• Proven ability to balance creativity with technical and commercial awareness
• Advanced proficiency in Revit, with strong working knowledge of Rhino, AutoCAD, Enscape, and Adobe Creative Suite
• Experience leading client presentations and facilitating design workshops
• Demonstrated ability to manage and inspire multidisciplinary teams
• Strong understanding of technical coordination, buildability, and consultant collaboration
• Confident communicator with the ability to represent design vision internally and externally
• Commercial awareness and involvement in bids, competitions, and client development

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to join a globally active design studio working on high-profile international projects. You will play a key role in shaping design outcomes, influencing project direction, and contributing to a collaborative and design-driven studio environment.