Principal Architect – Design Director

Job Title: Principal Architect – Design Director

Location: Hyderabad, India
Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Role

We are seeking an accomplished Principal Architect to lead our Architecture & Design team in Hyderabad. This is a leadership role responsible for managing the India design office, overseeing multidisciplinary project delivery, and ensuring design excellence across hospitality, F&B, retail, commercial, and mixed-use developments.

The successful candidate will combine exceptional architectural expertise with strong leadership and project management skills to drive innovation, mentor design teams, and deliver world-class architectural solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Architecture & Design office in Hyderabad, ensuring efficient project delivery and operational excellence.

• Oversee the planning, design, coordination, and execution of hospitality, F&B, retail, restaurant, commercial, and mixed-use projects.

• Review and approve concept designs, design development packages, technical drawings, and construction documentation.

• Manage and mentor Architects, Interior Designers, BIM Managers, BIM Architects, BIM Modelers, and other technical professionals.

• Coordinate with international project teams, consultants, contractors, and stakeholders throughout all project phases.

• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with quality standards.

• Establish and maintain architectural design standards, BIM workflows, and best practices.

• Participate in design presentations, technical meetings, and client discussions.

• Provide technical guidance and resolve complex design and coordination challenges.

• Support project planning, resource allocation, and workload management.

• Ensure compliance with local building regulations, international codes, and industry standards.

• Promote innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement across the design team.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture.

• Registered Architect is preferred.

• 12–18 years of professional experience in Architecture & Design.

• Minimum 5 years of experience leading architectural teams or design departments.

• Proven experience delivering hospitality, F&B, restaurants, cafés, retail, commercial, and mixed-use projects.

• Strong knowledge of BIM methodologies and multidisciplinary project coordination.

• Advanced proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks, BIM 360, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office.

• Excellent understanding of construction documentation, design coordination, and project execution.

• Strong leadership, communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

• Experience working on international projects or GCC developments is highly desirable.

Key Competencies

• Architectural Leadership

• Hospitality & Retail Design

• F&B & Restaurant Design

• BIM Management & Coordination

• Project Planning & Delivery

• Design Quality Assurance

• Team Leadership & Mentoring

• Technical Problem Solving

• Client & Stakeholder Management

• Multidisciplinary Coordination

• Innovation & Sustainable Design

What We Offer

• Attractive salary and benefits package.

• Opportunity to lead a talented architecture and design team.

• Exposure to international hospitality, retail, and F&B projects.

• Dynamic, collaborative, and innovation-driven work environment.

• Excellent opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.

Ideal Candidate Background

We are looking for a seasoned architect with leadership experience in architecture and design consultancies or multidisciplinary design firms, specializing in hospitality, F&B, restaurants, cafés, retail, and commercial developments. Candidates with experience delivering projects for international brands and coordinating global design teams will be highly preferred.