Design Lead - Architect

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