Design Lead - Architect

Description

**Job Description** **Job Title:** Design Lead – Architect **Location:** Barcelona, Spain **Business Unit:** Scruffy Dog Creative Europe S.L. **Reports to:** Managing Director **Contract Type:** Fixed\-Term Contract (FTC) – 12 months **Key Responsibilities** * Lead the architectural design and creative development of themed entertainment projects, visitor attractions, immersive experiences, museums, hospitality environments, retail destinations, and mixed\-use developments from concept through design delivery. * Provide architectural leadership across multidisciplinary design teams, ensuring innovative, technically feasible, and commercially viable design solutions. * Lead the preparation of concept designs, masterplans, architectural packages, façade concepts, landscape integration, and presentation materials for international projects. * Develop creative architectural narratives that support storytelling, guest experience, placemaking, and thematic consistency across projects. * Coordinate closely with Interior Designers, Landscape Architects, Urban Designers, Graphic Designers, Technical Designers, Show Set Designers, and Project Managers throughout the project lifecycle. * Review and oversee architectural drawings, BIM/Revit models, design documentation, and presentation packages to ensure quality, consistency, and compliance with project requirements. * Produce and review schematic designs, design development packages, planning layouts, façade studies, material palettes, and construction documentation. * Ensure all architectural solutions balance creativity with operational functionality, buildability, sustainability, guest circulation, accessibility, and maintenance considerations. * Participate in client presentations, design workshops, creative charrettes, and stakeholder meetings, presenting design concepts confidently and professionally. * Mentor and provide technical guidance to Junior Architects and other members of the design team, promoting professional development and design excellence. * Collaborate with external consultants, specialist engineers, fabricators, contractors, and local design partners throughout project delivery. * Conduct design reviews to ensure compliance with project briefs, applicable building regulations, planning requirements, and international design standards. * Support proposal development, design competitions, and business development initiatives through high\-quality conceptual design and visual communication. * Coordinate with fabrication and production teams to ensure architectural intent is maintained throughout manufacture and installation. * Monitor project programmes, design deliverables, and resource allocation to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget. * Stay informed of emerging architectural trends, sustainable design practices, digital technologies, and innovations relevant to themed entertainment and experiential design. * Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance design quality, collaboration, and project delivery across the European studio. **Key Skills / Experience Required** **Educational Qualification** * Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Architecture (RIBA/ARB equivalent or internationally recognised qualification). * Registration as an Architect or eligibility for professional registration is preferred. **Additional Qualifications / Certifications** * Professional architectural registration (preferred). * LEED, BREEAM, WELL Accreditation, or sustainability qualifications (preferred). * Advanced BIM/Revit certification or equivalent (preferred). **Prior Experience** * Minimum **5 years' professional experience** in Architecture with demonstrable experience in themed entertainment, hospitality, visitor attractions, mixed\-use developments, cultural projects, urban design, landscape architecture, or façade design. * Experience delivering international projects from concept design through design development. * Experience working within multidisciplinary design environments. * Previous experience in themed entertainment, destination design, experiential architecture, museums, zoos, aquariums, branded environments, or entertainment architecture is highly desirable. **Other Skills (Preferred)** * Advanced proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, Enscape, Lumion, Twinmotion, or similar visualisation software. * Strong understanding of architectural detailing, master planning, façade systems, landscape integration, and placemaking. * Excellent conceptual design and storytelling abilities. * Strong presentation, communication, and client\-facing skills. * Knowledge of international building regulations and design standards. * Experience working collaboratively with creative, technical, and production teams. * Excellent leadership, mentoring, and organisational skills. * Ability to manage multiple international projects simultaneously. * Fluency in English is essential; Spanish and/or Catalan would be advantageous. * Willingness to travel internationally as required. Job Type: Full\-time Work Location: In person