Architect

Overview

This position requires a versatile multi-disciplinary architectural professional to support active projects within Al Ahli Holding Group by producing comprehensive architectural drawings and coordinated Revit/AutoCAD outputs. The role includes maintaining strict revision control, preparing submissions, presentation packages, and assisting with cost estimation, benchmarking, value engineering, and material research. It is designed as an interim consolidated post for an individual capable of handling architectural production, ensuring drafting precision, cost management, and material comparison support under management guidance.

Primary Responsibilities

• Generate detailed architectural drawings, including layouts, sections, elevations, and schedules, ensuring coordination across project phases.
• Interpret design intentions, sketches, comments, and mark-ups into accurate Revit/AutoCAD outputs with precise dimensions and annotations.
• Compile drawing packages, presentation materials, submission binders, and management review documents.
• Maintain consistency aligned with project briefs, approved mark-ups, internal standards, and local authority requirements.
• Ensure high-accuracy CAD/Revit production adhering to company standards for layering, annotation, plotting, naming, and file organization.
• Implement strict revision control practices such as revision clouds, numbering, and updating drawing registers and archives.
• Collaborate with the Document Controller to distribute only the latest approved drawings.
• Coordinate with MEP, Structural, and design teams to resolve inconsistencies and update documents accordingly.
• Support RFIs, handle consultant queries, and provide internal clarifications with technical sketches and comments.
• Identify and escalate issues related to conflicting instructions, missing information, compliance concerns, or cost-sensitive matters prior to issuance.
• Participate in coordination meetings and track action items pertinent to assigned drawings and cost/material elements.
• Prepare preliminary and detailed cost estimates per trade based on drawings, specifications, and UAE market rates, maintaining corresponding registers.
• Benchmark consultant cost estimates against internal data, supplier inputs, and market trends, highlighting significant variances early.
• Develop cost variance summaries and assist management with briefing notes for budget alignment.
• Conduct research into alternative materials and systems examining performance, cost, availability, lead time, and maintenance impact.
• Create material comparison matrices, supplier data sheets, and recommendations for review.
• Assist in value engineering by quantifying savings, risks, and documenting performance impacts, ensuring approved changes reflect in drawings and specifications.
• Perform thorough self-checks before issuing drawings, cost sheets, or presentation materials.
• Support authority submission packages by preparing layouts, legends, notes, and comprehensive drawing sets.
• Maintain ongoing logs for drawings, cost estimates, value engineering, and materials, along with weekly work progress updates.
• Contribute to enhancing templates, checklists, typical details, cost databases, and material libraries.

Deliverables

• Architectural drawings, schedules, and coordinated model outputs for assigned scopes.
• Comprehensive drawing packages for reviews, submissions, tenders, and construction support.
• Up-to-date drawing registers and revision documentation with properly archived superseded versions.
• Detailed cost estimates and budget support analyses.
• Benchmarking databases and supplier reference updates.
• Value engineering logs with validated savings and material comparison matrices.
• Presentation and submission documentation along with management briefing notes and weekly progress reports.

Decision-Making Authority

• Prepare and update drawings, cost data, and material comparisons under supervision.
• Submit draft cost review comments, benchmarking findings, and material input for managerial evaluation.
• Propose value engineering and material alternatives with documented savings and technical considerations.
• Escalate any conflicting directives, missing data, or outdated revisions before official issuance.
• Request verification for all unsubstantiated cost or material claims prior to inclusion in official documents.

Collaboration

Works closely with Design Manager, Senior Architects, MEP and Structural teams, Document Controllers, Procurement, Finance, consultants, cost evaluators, suppliers, and manufacturers as needed.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
• Preferably 7 to 10 years of combined expertise in architectural documentation, drafting, coordination, cost estimating, benchmarking, value engineering, and material research within large-scale UAE projects.
• Proficient in reading architectural drawings, specifications, details, and design mark-ups.
• Familiar with UAE authority submission requirements and standard design-stage documentation.
• Experience in design coordination, revision control, drawing registers, and package preparation.

Technical Competencies

• Architectural drafting and production of plans, sections, elevations, detailed schedules consistent with CAD/Revit standards.
• Software proficiency: AutoCAD, Revit, BIM 360 or other collaborative platforms, MS Office suite including advanced Excel, and PDF tools; visualization software is an advantage.
• Cost estimation and value engineering skills including BOQ-level estimating, market benchmarking, variance analysis, and documentation.
• Material research capabilities including supplier evaluation, data sheet analysis, lifecycle cost-performance assessments.
• Documentation control including managing drawing registers, revision logs, superseded archives, and traceable issue records.
• Coordination skills to address architecture/MEP/structure interfaces, support RFIs, and identify or escalate discrepancies or clashes.

Behavioral Attributes

• Exceptional attention to detail with high accuracy and consistency.
• Analytical thinking with integrity in handling numeric and technical information.
• Dependable under tight deadlines, capable of managing multiple concurrent tasks.
• Effective communicator able to clarify technical and cost issues to non-specialist stakeholders.
• Collaborative team member receptive to feedback while adhering to proper escalation procedures.
• Organized with structured documentation and accountable follow-up practices.

Performance Metrics

• Drawings issued are fully coordinated, checked, and comply with company standards; minimal rework.
• Ongoing maintenance of revision control ensuring no outdated drawings are circulated.
• Complete resolution or escalation of coordination comments before submission.
• Accurate and supported cost estimates and variance reports, highlighting major cost drivers promptly.
• Value engineering activities targeting at least 10% cost savings with clear risk assessments.
• Material evaluations include comprehensive criteria such as cost, availability, and durability per deliverable package.
• Timely completion of all assigned tasks within approved deadlines or early escalations.

Working Environment

• Based in Dubai, supporting dynamic and time-sensitive design and submission requirements.
• Frequent collaboration with internal teams, consultants, suppliers, procurement, and finance departments.
• Intensive workload periods around submission deadlines, tender phases, and value engineering cycles.
• Occasional visits to sites or suppliers for verification or coordination purposes may be required.

Additional Information

This consolidated role serves as an interim measure with careful prioritization and management approvals required for design, commercial, and major value engineering decisions.

Compensation: Monthly salary ranges from AED 10,000 to AED 15,000.