Director, Design Office at Aga Khan University

, , Pakistan -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

13 Jan, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

15 Oct, 25

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Architecture, Design Management, Space Planning, Healthcare Facility Design, Sustainability, Project Management, Leadership, Communication, Analytical Thinking, Problem Solving, MEP Knowledge, BIM Tools, AutoCAD, Revit, Infection Control, Patient Safety

Industry

Hospitals and Health Care

Description

Director, Design Office Entity: Aga Khan University Department: Design Office Position: Director Design Location: Karachi Introduction to the Aga Khan University: Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, autonomous and self-governing international university with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries distributed across three continents. As an integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKU provides higher education in several disciplines, carries out research pertinent to the countries in which it exists and has campuses, programmes and/or teaching hospitals in Afghanistan, Kenya, Pakistan, Tanzania, Uganda and the UK. As an international institution, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact and access; and AKU is a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change. Through our Founding Chancelor’s vision, AKU is committed to providing world-class healthcare services through the development of innovative, safe, and patient-centered healthcare environments. The design and architecture of healthcare facilities play a critical role in achieving these goals by ensuring functional, efficient, sustainable, and aesthetically appropriate infrastructure. The Head of Design will lead all architectural design functions, ensuring that projects align with the organization’s mission, vision, and regulatory standards, while enhancing patient care, staff efficiency, operational effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment. Job Role / Responsibilities: Reporting to the Chief Facilities and Administrative Services Officer, you will lead a team of diversified professionals and will lead the space planning and design management of campus facilities, including master planning and conceptual/schematic design of buildings. The role involves managing in-house design projects, leading architectural teams, and reviewing external consultants’ work to ensure alignment with AKU’s design philosophy and standards. The Head of Design will oversee the entire design lifecycle, from concept development to completion, ensuring designs meet clinical, regulatory, sustainability, and aesthetic requirements. Specific responsibilities will include: Lead the design and planning of new healthcare facilities, expansions, and renovations. Lead and manage a team of architects and CAD/BIM operators. Prepare concept design, detailed design and construction drawings with design based on user requirements ensuring adherence to AKUs design philosophies. Ensure that spaces and sizes identified by users are as per international standards. Ensuring compliance of design with best industry practices in terms of patients’ safety and quality of care. Ensure designs comply with healthcare building codes, fire safety, accessibility, and environmental sustainability standards. Develop design guidelines and standards specific to healthcare environments that integrate environmental sustainability principles. Lead the incorporation of environmental sustainability in all design projects, ensuring compliance with green building certifications and sustainable architecture standards. Draft TORs for Master Planning conceptual / schematic and design and coordinate with others. Guide PMs in selection of local architects and engineering consultants for detailed design of projects and also guide them with solutions on detailed design, coordination and quality issues. Prepare Physical Facilities layouts for the University’s annual events such as Convocation, Awards Night, Donor Dinner and PGME Ceremonies Support fundraising campaigns through design presentations. Collaborate with procurement and construction teams for seamless project execution. Provide regular reports on design progress, sustainability outcomes, and issues to senior management. Eligibility Criteria / Requirements: You should have: Degree in Architecture (a qualified architect from a reputable national or international school of Architecture which conducts a minimum 5-year programme, with emphasis on planning and building technologies). Minimum 15 years of post-qualification experience in architectural design and planning. Experience in healthcare, Educational and Research facility design is preferred. Proficiency in architectural design and space planning. Knowledge of MEP and structural requirements for high-tech buildings. Familiarity with sustainable design, environmental sustainability principles, and green building certifications (e.g., EDGE/LEED). Proficiency in architectural design software (AutoCAD, Revit, BIM tools). Knowledge of infection control and patient safety principles in design. Proven experience managing a multidisciplinary design team. Strong leadership and team management skills. Excellent project Management and communication skills. Analytical thinking and problem-solving capabilities Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.

Responsibilities

The Director of Design Office will lead a team in the planning and design management of campus facilities, ensuring alignment with AKU’s design philosophy and standards. This role includes overseeing the entire design lifecycle from concept development to completion, focusing on compliance with clinical, regulatory, sustainability, and aesthetic requirements.