7 Sustainable Design jobs in Saudi Arabia

Contract Duration: 24 months

Role Overview:
The Architectural Design Reviewer will assess architectural design submissions to ensure compliance with the approved Urban Identity Guidelines and local design codes. This role requires strong technical review skills, a deep understanding of identity-driven design, and the ability to provide clear, actionable feedback to stakeholders and design teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Review and evaluate architectural plans, elevations, and façade details for compliance with Urban Identity Guidelines.
• Ensure all design documentation aligns with project codes and regional identity requirements.
• Provide technical comments and recommendations to architects, developers, and contractors.
• Support the issuance of compliance reports and certifications.
• Participate in design workshops, stakeholder meetings, and knowledge

Qiddiya Investment Company is seeking an Associate Director - Development - Villas to join our ambitious team, focused on creating exceptional residential experiences within the dynamic environment of Qiddiya. This role will be essential in leading the development of luxurious villas that embody the spirit of innovation and quality that Qiddiya represents.

In this role, you will oversee the entire development lifecycle of villa projects, from initial concept through to completion. Your expertise will guide project planning, design, and construction, ensuring that every aspect exceeds expectations and aligns with our strategic objectives.

• Lead and manage the development of high-end villa projects, ensuring alignment with Qiddiya’s strategic vision and objectives.
• Coordinate with architects, designers, and contractors to ensure innovative designs and quality execution.
• Develop and maintain project schedules and budgets, tracking progress and implementing corrective actions as necessary.
• Conduct market research and feasibility studies to identify trends and optimize project success.
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, community members, and partners, to facilitate project progress.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations and industry standards throughout all phases of development.
• Champion sustainability initiatives and advanced construction practices.
• Provide regular updates and reports to senior management on project status, risks, and achievements.

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Construction Management, Real Estate Development, or a related field (Master's degree preferred)
• Minimum of 12-15 years of proven experience in residential development, particularly in luxury villas or similar projects
• Strong project management experience with an understanding of residential construction processes
• Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to manage multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building abilities
• Strong analytical skills with a focus on project feasibility and financial analysis
• Experience in the entertainment or leisure industries is highly desirable
• Familiarity with sustainability standards and practices in residential development

• The opportunity to be part of one of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious city developments .
• A role dedicated to a specific residential asset type , allowing you to build deep expertise in your area.
• A fast-paced, high-impact environment where strategic thinking and execution excellence are highly valued.
• Collaboration with global industry leaders in real estate development, architecture, and planning

Setec is one of the world’s leaders in multidisciplinary engineering; an independent group owned by its engineers who rely on their talent, passion, & know-how. Over the last 60 years, Setec has gained an international reputation for services excellence, with a workforce of 4,000 multidisciplinary specialists throughout the world.

Setec has prestigious references for a wide range of fields that cover infrastructure, transport, water engineering, energy efficient buildings, industrial installations, and project management consultancy services. Playing a role on some of the largest current design & construction projects worldwide, the group’s engineers take on challenges in real estate development by bringing value to the projects they engage.

About the Design Studios project:

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s 2030 Vision is an ambitious quality-of-life program dedicated to the improvement of the urban fabric, elevating the built environment, fostering a booming economy, and developing vital communities. Key goals are to recover the architectural and urban identity of all the Kingdom’s regions, genuinely enhance the urban character & pattern, and facilitate comprehensive urban transformation of cities into architecturally and urbanely advanced communities.

One of the most important tools to realize this urban transformation is the Kingdom’s urban identity projects initiative which focuses on defining the Kingdom’s architectural and urban identities by dividing the Kingdom into nineteen realms - each with unique regional & urban identities. This division has led to nineteen design directives for all the KSA regions. These directives provide architectural and urban guidelines to restore and provide architectural and urban identity in a manner that motivates consultancy offices, developers, and citizens to realize the urban identity initiative objectives and, in turn, deliver remarkable benefits to the built environment and urban fabric of the Kingdom’s cities.

The guidelines are prefaced by the general description of architectural and urban patterns. Based on historical studies that highlight major genuine architectural & urban landmarks. The guidelines address architectural design, urban formation & public realm spaces, the organization of architectural elements on building facades and align with directives to foster consistency of these elements together. Guidelines & directives include but are not limited to the design and forms of different elements, materiality & preferred colors, & components that identify the character & pattern of buildings to ensure consistency with the urban pattern requirements.

To advance the region’s development projects consistent with its urban and architectural identity objectives, qualified Design Studios are required to be established. The objective of each Design Studio is to provide consultancy services & directives for new development projects in support of implementing urban & architectural guidelines, detailed codes, design directives & processes.

Key accountabilities

• You're responsible for reviewing third-party real estate project design submissions for compliance against KSA regional directives & guidelines, uploading review comments into the Design Studios web portal for Design Studio’s Technical Delivery PM’s review & compliance certificate disposition, and, reviewing its comments with the third-party submitter (&Client, as required) to foster understanding & render compliance advice.
• Submittal review & compliance certification process, design review, reports, QA/QC (design evaluation & aesthetics of individual buildings/structures in a development project assessing proposed designs based on criteria such as visual appeal, compatibility with surrounding context & adherence to architectural guidelines).
• Review with compliance with regional architectural heritage, historic districts & conservation areas and includes elements (building materials, facade design, rooflines, fenestration (windows & doors), landscaping & overall architectural character).
• Coordinate Architectural Design Reviewer work.

Skills & experience

• Bachelor or Master of Architecture +8 years in GCC (especially KSA).
• AIA or RIBA membership and active participation.
• Saudi Council of Engineers accredited Professional Architect or higher accreditation (i.e. Consultant Architect).
• Proficient in AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam and similar design documents and review software.
• Microsoft Office, MS Project, MS Visio, Adobe Acrobat, MS Teams.
• Doc management systems.
• Fluent in Arabic & English both oral and written.