Design Guardian (RIBA/ARB) - Masterplanning / Design Coordination (London-Based) in London Area

Job description

Design Guardian (RIBA/ARB) - Masterplanning / Design Coordination (London-Based)

International Design Studio – Major Middle East Landmark Project

A globally recognised, design-led architecture studio is seeking a London-based Senior Architect / Masterplanner to take on a pivotal coordination and design-guardianship role for one of the most significant upcoming projects in the Middle East.

This is a rare opportunity to represent an award-winning international practice at the heart of a once-in-a-generation development… acting as the central coordination bridge between the client, specialist engineering teams, and an international design studio working collaboratively across several global hubs.

If you thrive in high-level coordination, love complex urban-scale problems, and enjoy being trusted with real responsibility, this role will give you unparalleled exposure.

The Role…

As the London-based representative for the global design team, you will:

• Work 2 to 3 days per week on-site within the consultant team in London, acting as the project’s design guardian and ensuring the masterplan intent is upheld through all coordination activities.
• Act as the primary interface between UK-based consultants and the international design leadership.
• Lead the flow of information, track decisions, and coordinate across disciplines to maintain consistency and clarity.
• Review consultant outputs, identify design implications, and report risks or required decisions back to the design principal.
• Support the global team in upholding project vision, design principles and strategic objectives.
• Participate in coordination sessions, technical discussions and design reviews across multiple time zones.
• Act as a trusted ambassador for the practice, establishing strong working relationships with senior consultant teams.

This is not a production heavy role… it is a leadership-level coordination position situated at the heart of one of the world’s most high-profile developments.

What They’re Looking For…

Essential…

• 8 to 10 years of experience (minimum 5) in architecture, urban design or masterplanning.
• Demonstrable experience on large-scale, complex development projects… ideally masterplans or multi-building sites.
• Strong understanding of design coordination, interfaces, and the knock-on effects of multidisciplinary decisions.
• Ability to work autonomously, represent a design principal, and act with clarity, maturity and confidence.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills… calm, articulate, ego-free.
• Strong organisational ability: tracking issues, managing actions, ensuring alignment.
• A genuine passion for ambitious, visionary design projects.

Highly Beneficial…

• Experience reviewing consultant work across engineering, mobility, infrastructure, environmental or urban systems.
• Some exposure to construction-stage realities or value-engineering processes.
• Familiarity with Revit or ability to liaise with technical support teams working in BIM.
• Experience working across multiple time zones.

Working Style & Cultural Fit…

Given that the design team is distributed globally, you will need to be comfortable working across time zones, with occasional early-morning or out-of-hours coordination.

While not a traditional 9 to 5 setting, the culture is highly collaborative, mission-driven and centred around delivering a flagship project on the world stage.

The studio values people who are…

• Passionate about the project.
• Self-motivated and dependable.
• Team-oriented, respectful and low-ego.
• Energised by solving complex multidisciplinary challenges.

Location…

• London-based
• Hybrid model: part-week in consultant offices, part-remote, with high autonomy.

Contract Structure…

• Full-time role via a consultancy-style engagement.
• Long-term commitment: initial 2+ years of guaranteed work, with potential involvement extending to 2030.
• Competitive senior-level compensation aligned with experience.

Why This Role Is Exceptional…

• It places you at the centre of one of the most significant Middle Eastern developments currently in motion.
• You become the key voice ensuring the integrity of the masterplan vision.
• You work directly with the global leadership of a renowned design studio.
• You gain exposure to complex urban systems, cutting-edge design thinking, and major international stakeholders.
• You step into a role with real strategic influence, not just delivery.

If you’re motivated by complex, visionary, global-scale work and want a central role in shaping an extraordinary masterplan, we would love to hear from you.

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

London Area

Type of Contract

Part-time jobs

Published at

10-12-2025

Profession type

Design / Fashion

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English