Lead Architect - Technical & Design

About the role

IMAR Lebanon is seeking an experienced Lead Architect to lead architectural design development and technical coordination across its projects. The successful candidate combines strong architectural judgment with practical construction knowledge, ensuring design intent is translated into coordinated, accurate and buildable documentation. The role is hands-on, leading the architectural team and working closely with project management, consultants and site teams.

Key responsibilities

• Lead architectural design development, turning project briefs and approved concepts into detailed design solutions and construction documentation, and review layouts, elevations, sections, material selections and details.
• Assess proposed design changes and alternatives against technical requirements, cost, programme and quality, and ensure solutions meet the brief, site conditions, regulations and design standards.
• Lead the preparation and review of drawings, shop drawings, details, schedules, specifications and technical submissions, and verify completeness, accuracy and coordination before issue.
• Coordinate architectural interfaces with structural, civil, MEP, façade and interior design disciplines, and resolve clashes, missing information and constructability issues.
• Manage RFI requests, technical queries and consultant comments, and review materials, samples and mock-ups for compliance with approved designs.
• Plan architectural deliverables and submission schedules, monitor progress and prevent delays, and give technical guidance to site teams.
• Take part in coordination meetings, site visits and inspections, and coordinate with procurement and cost control on material selection, substitutions and value engineering.
• Oversee as-built drawings and handover documentation, allocate work, supervise architects, technical coordinators, BIM professionals and draftspersons, mentor the team and set drawing standards and quality checks.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture from a recognized university.
• At least 10 years of experience in architectural design development, technical coordination and construction documentation, including at least 3 years in a lead or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated experience with a contractor, design-and-build organization or architectural consultancy, and a strong portfolio of design solutions and technical detailing.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams and managing several deliverables or projects at once.
• Knowledge of construction methods, materials, finishes and building systems, and of building regulations, accessibility and fire and life safety principles.
• Experience reviewing shop drawings, material submissions, RFIs and construction-stage design changes.

Required skills

• AutoCAD and Revit.
• BIM coordination, model reviews and clash resolution.
• Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Navisworks and project document management platforms are an advantage.
• English and Arabic; French is an advantage.