Director of Architecture – Hospitality

About the role

Qiddiya Investment Company is seeking a senior leader to drive the architectural vision for its hospitality portfolio. The Director will shape hotel concepts from brief to design endorsement, ensuring high standards of design quality, guest experience, and commercial performance.

Key responsibilities

• Define and lead the architectural design agenda for hotel concepts, aligning with Qiddiya, district and operator visions.
• Establish design principles, typologies and performance benchmarks for each hotel tier.
• Oversee consultant briefings, scope validation and governance approvals.
• Direct visualisation and CGI strategy to communicate design narratives.
• Govern architecture and specialist consultants, managing scope, deliverables and quality.
• Provide functional governance to project‑embedded design teams and endorse architectural deliverables.
• Lead technical input on planning efficiency, spatial configuration and system integration.
• Coordinate architecture, interiors, landscape and technical disciplines to ensure cohesive outcomes.
• Review design submissions at key milestones, offering feedback and endorsement.
• Guide value engineering, balancing design intent, guest experience and asset performance.
• Champion sustainability, embedding ESG and Vision 2030 priorities.
• Mentor teams and drive continuous improvement of design processes.

Required profile

• Extensive experience leading architectural design for hospitality or large‑scale mixed‑use projects.
• Proven ability to manage and mentor multidisciplinary design teams.
• Strong understanding of design governance, stakeholder alignment and regulatory compliance.
• Track record of delivering commercially viable, emotive hotel concepts.
• Commitment to sustainability and climate‑responsive design.

Required skills