Associate Director

Your Responsibilities

Project Leadership, Planning & Delivery

• Lead projects across the full lifecycle, from feasibility, concept and design development through tender, construction, contract administration and project close-out.

• Support the Project Director in setting up and maintaining project delivery plans, including scope, programme, manpower deployment, information flow, deliverables and key decision points.

• Oversee resource planning across assigned project teams, ensuring appropriate capability, capacity and coordination to meet agreed timelines and quality standards.

• Monitor project cost management considerations, including manpower effort, fee utilisation, stage completion, change impact and cost-effective deployment of resources.

• Identify project risks, unresolved issues and potential non-conformities early, and lead practical solutions to maintain progress, quality and client confidence.

• Provide regular updates to the Project Director on project status, design direction, technical and regulatory matters, contractual issues, resource requirements and key risks.

Design, Technical & Construction Delivery

• Lead the translation of design intent into robust, buildable and coordinated architectural solutions.

• Guide design development, architectural detailing, material selection and technical documentation to ensure alignment with the client brief, budget, programme and statutory requirements.

• Review key drawings, specifications, tender documents, construction packages and submissions for quality, completeness, coordination and compliance.

• Ensure compliance with planning parameters, building regulations, codes of practice, authority requirements and relevant project-specific standards.

• Resolve design and technical issues with consultants, contractors and internal teams, balancing design quality, buildability, cost, programme and operational requirements.

• Maintain design and technical quality through the construction stage by reviewing site queries, shop drawings, material submissions, method proposals and design changes where required.

• Conduct site reviews and inspections to verify that works are carried out in accordance with the design intent, approved drawings, specifications and contractual requirements.

Client, Consultant, Contractor & Stakeholder Management

• Act as a senior point of contact for clients, consultants, contractors, authorities and internal stakeholders, representing the project leadership team where required.

• Lead or chair project, design, technical, consultant and site coordination meetings, ensuring decisions, actions and responsibilities are clearly followed through.

• Manage client expectations by communicating progress, risks, constraints and required decisions in a clear and professional manner.

• Coordinate closely with structural, M&E, C&S, QS, specialist consultants and contractors to resolve interdisciplinary issues and maintain project alignment.

• Support constructive working relationships that protect project outcomes, commercial interests and SAA’s reputation for design and delivery quality.

Project Documentation, Contract Administration & Commercial Awareness

• Oversee the preparation, review and coordination of project documentation across design, tender, construction and completion stages.

• Lead the architectural team in producing complete, coordinated and buildable tender and construction documentation, including drawings, schedules, specifications and material selections.

• Support contract administration processes, including correspondence, instructions, clarifications, site records, progress claims, variations, extensions of time, defects matters and close-out documentation, in coordination with the Project Director and relevant consultants.

• Assist in the preparation and review of fee proposals, scope clarifications, appointments, project correspondence and contractual documentation.

• Track stage deliverables and support timely invoicing linked to agreed project milestones, scope and completion of services.

• Maintain appropriate project records, quality documentation and filing discipline in line with office, ISO and project requirements.

Team Leadership, Mentorship & Practice Contribution

• Lead, supervise and mentor project architects, architectural executives, technical staff and junior team members, setting clear expectations for quality, accountability and delivery.

• Build a collaborative and disciplined team culture that supports design excellence, technical learning, problem-solving and continuous improvement.

• Guide team members in consultant coordination, contractor engagement, authority submissions, site follow-up and project documentation.

• Contribute to office-wide initiatives, knowledge sharing, process improvement and project delivery standards where required.

• Support senior management in strengthening project governance, resource visibility and cross-team collaboration.

Pre-requisites and Preferred Qualifications

• At least 15 years of relevant architectural experience, including senior-level responsibility for complex projects from design through construction and completion.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Architecture from an accredited institution.

• Registered Architect with the Board of Architects, Singapore, or equivalent professional registration is preferred.

• Strong track record in leading multidisciplinary project teams, managing client and consultant relationships, and resolving design, technical, regulatory and site issues.

• Sound understanding of Singapore planning parameters, building regulations, authority submission processes, codes of practice and contract administration requirements.

• Demonstrated ability to manage project resources, programme commitments, project documentation and cost-related considerations with discipline and commercial awareness.

• Experience in large-scale, complex or mixed-use developments in Singapore or the region will be advantageous.

• Strong design judgement, technical capability and buildability awareness, with the ability to balance creativity, compliance, cost, programme and construction realities.

• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence, mentor and work effectively across all levels.

• Proficiency in commonly used architectural and BIM/project delivery tools, including Revit or equivalent platforms, is preferred.