Director (Architectural)

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Director, Transport, an accomplished senior-level architectural professional who will lead and oversee SAA Architects’ transport team in Singapore. In this pivotal role, the Director will drive new business opportunities, pursue major rail and transport infrastructure projects, and provide strategic leadership across client engagement, design direction, technical delivery, financial performance and team development.

This individual will play a key role in strengthening SAA’s position as a leading transport architecture practice in Singapore, with particular focus on MRT stations, rail infrastructure, depots, transport interchanges, transit-oriented developments and other complex infrastructure projects. The role requires a strong client-facing leader with deep sector experience, sound commercial judgement, and the ability to guide multidisciplinary teams through complex project and stakeholder environments.

The Director will also be responsible for shaping design and delivery strategies, supporting the development of architectural proposals, maintaining design and technical quality through to construction, and ensuring that project outcomes align with client briefs, authority requirements, commuter needs and SAA’s strategic objectives.

Your Responsibilities

As one of the leads for Transport, the Director will play a strategic role in expanding the firm’s market position. The Transport Director’s key responsibilities include:

Strategic Leadership: Set the vision and direction for SAA’s transport architecture practice, developing and implementing business strategies that support growth, profitability, design quality and market positioning within the rail, transit and broader infrastructure sectors.

Business Development: Identify, pursue and secure major project opportunities in transport architecture and infrastructure. Lead or support strategic bids, tenders, client presentations and design proposals. Cultivate new business relationships and strengthen existing client partnerships to ensure a sustainable pipeline of work.

Client and Authority Engagement: Build and maintain senior-level relationships with key clients, government agencies, transport authorities, consultants, contractors and industry partners. Act as a trusted advisor on rail and transport architecture matters, and represent SAA and SJ Group in key client meetings, industry events and professional forums.

Project Delivery Oversight: Lead the delivery of complex transport and infrastructure projects from inception to completion, including feasibility studies, concept and reference design, design development, tender documentation, construction administration and project close-out. Ensure that all projects meet design excellence, quality, budget, programme and client requirements.

Design and Technical Leadership: Provide senior guidance on station planning, passenger flow, accessibility, fire and life safety, authority requirements, constructability, operational interfaces, phasing and coordination with live transport environments. Maintain high standards of design, documentation and technical delivery across all project stages.

Multidisciplinary Coordination: Lead effective coordination across architecture, engineering, infrastructure, MEP, structural, landscape, ID, planning, construction and specialist consultant teams. Ensure that architectural design intent is well integrated with operational, technical, engineering and safety requirements.

Project Administration Leadership: Oversee the preparation and approval of fee proposals, contracts, project budgets, resource plans and payment management. Establish robust project monitoring systems to ensure projects remain within approved budgets and schedules, while maintaining quality and managing risk effectively.

Commercial and Risk Management: Provide senior oversight of project financial performance, contractual obligations, resource deployment, variation management and project risk. Ensure that transport projects are commercially managed, properly resourced and delivered sustainably.

Team Leadership and Development: Build, mentor and inspire a high-performing team of architects and project leaders. Strengthen transport sector capability, develop future leaders, support succession planning, and foster a collaborative culture focused on quality, accountability and continuous improvement.

Stakeholder Engagement: Navigate complex stakeholder environments involving clients, authorities, developers, operators, contractors, consultants and community interfaces. Facilitate effective communication, design reviews, approval processes and technical workshops throughout the project lifecycle.

Market Intelligence: Stay abreast of industry trends, infrastructure investment, emerging technologies, regulatory developments and procurement trends in Singapore’s transport and built environment sectors. Leverage market insights to inform business strategy and maintain a competitive edge.

Innovation and Digital Delivery: Champion the use of BIM, digital coordination, design automation, data-led workflows and other tools that improve project quality, coordination, productivity and delivery certainty.

Pre-requisites and Preferred Qualifications

At least 20 years of relevant architectural experience, preferably with a strong focus on rail, MRT, transit, depot, transport interchange or major infrastructure projects.

Registered Architect or equivalent professional qualification preferred.

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture. Advanced degrees or certifications in design, project management, design management or infrastructure delivery will be advantageous.

Comprehensive knowledge of, and extensive experience in, leading complex architectural projects from concept design through to construction and TOP/CSC. Experience in complex rail and transport infrastructure projects is critical.

Strong understanding of Singapore authority requirements, building codes, accessibility standards, fire and life safety requirements, rail design standards and transport infrastructure delivery processes.

Excellent understanding of full design-to-construction documentation, tender documentation, construction administration and contract administration. Knowledge of rail and transit design standards is essential.

Prior experience working with transport, rail or infrastructure clients and stakeholders in formulating and developing project briefs, design strategies and delivery requirements is essential.

Familiarity with materials and methods of construction, technical compliance, building and accessibility standards, local codes, authority guidelines and infrastructure project requirements.

Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary and architectural teams, coordinate effectively with engineering teams, subconsultants, contractors and authorities, and resolve issues quickly and effectively throughout project development and delivery.

Strong commercial awareness, including fee management, project budgeting, resource planning, programme control, contractual considerations and risk management.

Established client-facing capability, with the confidence, credibility and communication skills to engage senior stakeholders, government agencies, authorities and industry partners.

Demonstrates the ability to manage time and resources efficiently to meet challenging deadlines, project milestones and client requirements.

Working knowledge of 2D and 3D CAD and BIM-based delivery software, including AutoCAD and Revit.

Real Impact, Made Together

SAA is a member of the Surbana Jurong (SJ) Group, a diverse and collaborative collective of problem solvers for the built environment, continually reimagining ways to create a smart and sustainable future.

As one of SJ’s 10 member companies, SAA is part of a global network of professionals in more than 120 offices in over 40 countries.

At Surbana Jurong, we put talent, hard work, teamwork and a fun workplace together to approach problems and solve them creatively and collaboratively. Join us in making a positive impact on the world!