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