Associate Director

A career at SAA gives you the opportunity to be part of a team that makes a real difference to people's lives; creating places and spaces that form meaningful experiences in the way people connect with their communities.

From the moment of ideation to the exhilaration of creation, you will be amongst passionate and talented colleagues from around the globe, working together to make a mark in the evolution of our urban societies.

At SAA, we continually strive to enrich the greatest endeavour of all – human life – the quality of which all good designs are benchmarked against. And in this endeavour, we share with you the opportunity to give true meaning to the work that sustains it.

SAA. Building Dreams, Enriching Lives.

Project Leadership

• Support the Project Director in establishing and maintaining project cost plans by monitoring manpower, information flow, equipment use, and overall resource deployment to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Steer and direct the project team to ensure alignment with project goals, schedules, and quality benchmarks.
• Identity potential risks or unresolved issues early and propose and implement effective solutions
• Maintain close and regular communication with the Project Director to report on project progress, design direction, technical and regulatory challenges, and contractual matters.
• Lead and coordinate the work of assigned teams to ensure timely delivery of milestones and overall project success.

Design & Technical Delivery

• Translate design intent into executable architectural solutions.
• Lead the detail design development phase through to tender documentation, ensuring architectural layouts, detailing, and material selection align with project design intent and client vision.
• Review and guide team members to deliver and maintain quality and technical rigor.
• Ensure full compliance with all applicable planning and building guidelines, regulations and codes of practice.
• Guide and direct the preparation and submission of authority approvals and other relevant applications.
• Collaborate with consultants to ensure seamless technical integration and resolve coordination issues efficiently.

Client, Consultant Coordination

• Represent the Project Lead in client, consultant, and technical coordination meetings, chairing sessions where appropriate.
• Liaise directly with clients to manage expectations, communicate project progress, and address design or technical issues.
• Coordinate with external consultants (structural, M&E, C&S, QS) to resolve technical issues and maintain alignment across disciplines.
• Conduct site inspections to ensure design and technical solutions are properly implemented, and that all works comply with building codes and specifications.

Project Documentation & Contract Administration

• Assist the Project Director in the preparation of fee proposals, contract administration documents, and project correspondence
• Ensure timely invoicing upon completion of project stages.
• Oversee the collation, organisation, and coordination of construction documentation, ensuring clarity and adherence to client and office standards.
• Direct and guide architectural and technical team members on the preparation of construction drawings and packages.
• Lead the architectural team in producing complete and coordinated tender documentation, reviewing deliverables for quality and compliance.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Supervise, mentor, and inspire project architects, coordinators, and junior team members to foster professional growth and maintain high design standards.
• Encourage a collaborative work culture that supports innovation, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Guide the architectural team in liaising with suppliers, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure smooth delivery and implementation
• Take on additional management support tasks as necessary, drive collaboration between project teams, and perform other project-related duties to support continuous improvement and project success.