Project Planner (Architect)

Job Purpose:

The Project Planner (Architect) is responsible for planning, overseeing, and leading the planning and design phase of large and complex Academic, Research, Administrative, Physical Plant, and KAUST community projects from inception through the design phase. 

As the Project Planner (Architect), you will act as the Facility Management (FM) Representative to VP’s and Deans as well as a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, most often managing the capital budget, schedule and scope of multiple critical projects simultaneously. 

You will be an effective leader and use facilitative management to create high performing teams and foster collaborative working relationships with external designers, engineers and all relevant stakeholders.

Major Accountabilities:

You will:

• Be responsible for the overall direction, coordination, implementation, execution, control and completion of the planning and design phases of specific projects ensuring consistency with KAUST strategy, commitments and goals.

• Serve as Primary Point of Contact, acting as the liaison for FM to University, Research, and Community Stakeholders.

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• Liaise with senior levels of KAUST to understand vision and scope of projects as well as to report on status and project issues, and develop executive project reports for senior leadership.

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• Manage third party consultant firms and contractors on behalf of KAUST.

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• Develop and articulate project strategy, objectives and impacts on or by other projects.

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• Ensure the timely delivery of projects while maintaining excellent customer relations, meeting capital budget goals, and maintaining KAUST’s quality and aesthetic standards.

• Develop feasibility and programming studies, either directly, or by managing external consultants.

• Develop and implement policies, processes, and templates that support best practices for project planning and design (Project Budgets, Schedules, Governance Charts, Feasibility Studies, Reports, and Executive Communications).

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• Partner with Procurement on the selection of architects, engineers, and contractors, evaluating proposals and developing opportunities for value management.

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• Guide capital projects through the capital development process for Budget Committee approval, including preparation of the KAUST Tendering Committee (KTC) documents as required.

• Collaborate with the Project Manager Leads and project team in addressing and evaluating change orders/variations, requests for information, or other design modification requests.

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• Work with in-house staff and consultants to ensure all guidelines, standards, and sustainable practices are utilised on all projects.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture.

• Architectural license or equivalent required.

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Experience:

• 7years + relevant work experience.

• Lab Design experience would be advantageous.