Site Architect x2

About This Role

About Hive Hive is a real estate development and operations company redefining modern living through character-driven spaces and community-focused environments. Born from the need to offer people a more meaningful and flexible way to live, HIVE blends personal comfort with shared experiences. Our thoughtfully designed apartments and dynamic hubs cultivate curiosity, dialogue, and a sense of belonging – because life is richer when it’s shared.

Our buildings are branded, hospitality-influenced residential products where the quality of design directly defines the resident experience. We are looking for TWO Site Architects; one based in Ras Al Khaimah and one based in Abu Dhabi. These Site Architects will join us on-site and ensure that the design vision we have conceived is delivered with precision, integrity, and care.

Purpose of Role: The Site Architect will be the primary on-site guardian of HIVE’s architectural intent throughout the construction stage of one of our branded residential developments. Working closely with the Construction Manager, this role is responsible for responding to technical queries, conducting site walks, and ensuring that all architectural elements, materials and spatial decision on site reflects the approved design package. This is a highly proactive on-site role requiring regular presence, decisive judgment, and strong ownership of design quality.

This is a full-time, on site position based in either Ras Al Khaimah OR Abu Dhabi and reports to the Head of Design.

Key Role Responsibilities:

• Review shop drawing submittals from the contractor across all architectural and landscape packages, and issue formal responses in a timely manner.
• Respond to Requests for Information (RFIs) from the contractor, providing clear and well-reasoned design responses that protect the intent of the approved package.
• Review architectural material submittals and assess proposed alternatives or substitutions against the specification, making recommendations that balance design intent, quality, and buildability.
• Review and assess proposed vendors and subcontractors from the contractor for architectural scopes, evaluating their capability to execute HIVE’s design and quality standards.
• Action and respond to inspection requests, attending site inspections and providing written sign-off or corrective direction as required.
• Conduct regular site walks to proactively identify deviations from the design package, non-conformances, and quality issues before they become costly to resolve.
• Lead snagging processes at the relevant project milestones, producing detailed snagging lists and tracking resolution through to completion.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• A minimum of 8–10 years of professional experience in architecture with significant exposure to hospitality, hotel, or high-quality branded residential projects. Candidates with 6–8 years will be considered where their site experience is demonstrably strong.
• Proven experience in a site-based construction delivery role – reviewing shop drawings, responding to RFIs, conducting site inspections, and managing snagging on a live construction project.
• Experience on the contractor side alone will not be sufficient; we need someone who has worked as the designer’s or client’s representative on site.
• Strong technical knowledge of architectural construction detailing, material specifications, and build quality standards.
• A discerning eye for design quality. This role sits within a company that builds hospitality-grade residential product, and the candidate must understand what “good” looks like in that context.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, well-structured formal responses to RFIs and submittals.
• Experience is international – we value candidates who have worked on equivalent projects outside the UAE, provided they are comfortable operating in a fast-paced Gulf construction environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in Architecture.
• Professional registration (ARB, RIBA, AIA, or equivalent) is an advantage but not a requirement.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating delivered hospitality or high-end residential projects is essential and must be submitted with application.

Start Date

• Immediate or as agreed.