Retail Architect Lead
Job Summary
The Retail Architect Lead will be responsible for leading the planning, design, technical development, and successful delivery of retail architecture and fit-out projects. The role will oversee retail concept development, architectural design, engineering coordination, project management, budgeting, contractor and vendor management, technical documentation, and regulatory compliance to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with approved brand standards.
Key Responsibilities
Retail Architecture & Design
- Lead the planning, design, budgeting, scheduling, and execution of retail architecture and fit-out projects.
- Develop and maintain retail store concepts, design standards, architectural guidelines, and new retail formats.
- Review and approve architectural layouts, design proposals, 3D concepts, material selections, and technical documentation.
- Ensure consistency of brand identity and customer experience across all retail locations.
- Identify opportunities to improve retail design concepts and customer experience.
Project Delivery & Contractor Management
- Lead retail project delivery, ensuring compliance with timelines, budgets, quality standards, and project objectives.
- Manage CAPEX, engineering budgets, cost assessments, rate cards, and change requests.
- Oversee vendors, consultants, contractors, tendering, bidding, contract negotiations, and contractor selection.
- Provide technical and contractual guidance and proactively identify and mitigate project risks.
- Act as the primary escalation point for architectural, engineering, construction, and fit-out matters.
Technical Documentation & Design Governance
- Prepare, review, and approve architectural drawings, CAD documentation, technical specifications, 3D models, and construction packages.
- Collaborate with architects, engineers, consultants, and contractors to translate design concepts into executable solutions.
- Establish and maintain drawing standards, documentation controls, retail concept guidelines, and project records.
- Coordinate drawing revisions, technical clarifications, and design updates throughout project execution.
- Ensure architectural documentation complies with applicable regulations and engineering standards.
Compliance & Quality Assurance
- Ensure compliance with building codes, authority requirements, safety regulations, and company standards.
- Monitor project quality, construction standards, contractor performance, and design consistency.
- Conduct project reviews and recommend improvements to design quality, efficiency, and cost effectiveness.
- Identify technical issues, project risks, and compliance gaps and implement corrective actions.
- Support continuous improvement of retail architecture and fit-out processes.
Stakeholder Management & Leadership
- Lead project presentations, design reviews, and executive reporting.
- Collaborate with internal teams, consultants, contractors, and regulatory authorities.
- Provide technical direction, leadership, and mentoring to project teams.
- Support new store concepts, expansion projects, and strategic initiatives.
- Build strong stakeholder relationships and ensure alignment between business objectives and project delivery.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Interior Design, or a related field.
- Minimum 7 years of experience in retail architecture, commercial fit-out, architectural project management, or a related field.
- Strong experience in retail design projects and contractor management.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD and other architectural drafting software.
- Practical knowledge of SketchUp, Revit, 3ds Max, or similar 3D modeling and visualization tools.
- Knowledge of project management and scheduling software.
- Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Professional fluency in English, both written and spoken.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong knowledge of retail architecture, commercial fit-out, construction methodologies, and space planning.
- Strong understanding of architectural standards, engineering coordination, regulatory compliance, and authority approval processes.
- Ability to manage multiple retail projects while balancing quality, timelines, budgets, and business priorities.
- Strong financial and budgeting skills, including CAPEX and cost estimation.
- Excellent negotiation, contractor management, and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to establish retail concept guidelines and ensure consistent brand execution across locations.
- Strategic thinking, leadership, accountability, teamwork, and change management
