Graduate Architect
Employer not yet confirmed · Abu Dhabi, UAE
Note: This profile provides a market aligned view of this job’s typical core requirements, informed by Korn Ferry’s Success Profile methodology, and will evolve over time.
An entry-level professional in the first two years post-graduation. Uses professional concepts and academic knowledge to assist in solving architectural design problems of limited scope and complexity. Contributes to design projects across sectors including transport, water, property & buildings, energy, and environment, supporting the team in delivering high-quality outcomes for clients. Focuses on building practical experience and understanding of professional practices in a real-world consulting environment.
ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities describe the typical accountabilities and scope of work for this job, while recognising that individual objectives are set with the manager and may vary over time.
- Architectural Design: Contribute to the planning, design, construction, testing, communication, evaluation, and implementation of architectural solutions.
- Bid Solicitation/Request for Proposal/Tender Analysis: Analyze parts of the bid solicitation project requirements, and gather and assess information related to the feasibility of these requirements for the organization.
- Building Information Modeling (BIM) System: Help with building/construction activities by designing layouts and maps that reflect the property scope and the parameters of buildings/constructions.
- Building Surveys: Undertake building and technical surveys, with support and guidance from experienced surveyors, to determine the building condition and identify defects and associated risks. Includes conducting a wide range of surveys on complex sites.
- Client & Customer Management (External): Help senior colleagues manage client and customer relationships by using relevant sales or client systems.
- Construction Advice: Provide professional advice relating to construction regulations and best practice with regard to the maintenance, alteration, and construction of buildings.
- Engineering Drawings: Carry out a range of activities under the guidance of more senior colleagues to create engineering drawings for the communication, evaluation, and implementation of engineering solutions.
- Engineering Solutions Design: Contribute to the development of, and implement feasibility testing of, proposed engineering solutions to provide feedback and data to validate the design.
- Feasibility Studies: Contribute to and support feasibility studies from a technological and organizational perspective, and document findings.
- Personal Capability Building: Develop own capabilities by participating in assessment and development planning activities as well as formal and informal training and coaching. Develop and maintain an understanding of relevant technology, external regulation, and industry best practices through ongoing education, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.
CompetenciesCompetencies describe the observable behaviours that differentiate effective performance in this job and guide expectations, feedback, and development discussions.
- Business Insight – Applies knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization's goals. For example, understands the main business fundamentals. Tries to learn the organization's key drivers, industry developments, and trends; seeks guidance to understand choices.
- Collaborates – Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. For example, finds many ways to add value to the team; probes to draw out richer input from others; is a valued resource who goes out of the way to help others.
- Communicates Effectively – Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. For example, listens attentively and takes an interest. Keeps others well informed; conveys information clearly, concisely, and professionally when speaking or writing.
- Courage – Steps up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said. For example, shares own ideas and points of view openly, regardless of potential criticism or risk; shows conviction when faced with adversity and challenges; raises difficult topics to be sure they are addressed.
- Ensures Accountability – Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments. For example, accepts responsibility for own work, both successes and failures. Handles fair share and does not make excuses for problems. Usually meets commitments to others.
- Instills Trust – Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. For example, demonstrates integrity, upholding professional codes of conduct. Instills trust by following through on agreements and commitments despite competing priorities and by being honest and straightforward.
- Manages Complexity – Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. For example, looks at complex issues from multiple angles; explores issues to uncover underlying issues and root causes; sees the main consequences and implications of different options.
- Plans and Aligns – Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals. For example, outlines clear plans that put actions in a logical sequence; conveys some time frames. Aligns own work with relevant workgroups. Takes some steps to reduce bottlenecks and speed up the work.
- Resourcefulness – Secures and deploys resources effectively and efficiently. For example, identifies and obtains resources needed to accomplish objectives; identifies different ways to accomplish work when resources are limited. Makes progress across multiple priorities or responsibilities.
SkillsSkills reflect the technical, professional, and functional capabilities required to perform the job effectively at the expected level, and guide assessment and development.
- Analyze Alternatives and Recommend Solutions – Works with full competence to analyze potential solutions and create recommendations based on the expected benefits, costs, and overall value of the solution for key stakeholders. Typically works without supervision and may provide technical guidance.
- Business Case Contribution – Works with full competence to interpret, contribute to, or lead business case creation with client departments to quantify current costs, justify project investment, and identify the return on investment. Typically works without supervision and may provide technical guidance.
- Business Requirements Analysis – Works with full competence to express user needs in terms of business requirements, identify current capability of the business to deliver, conduct build or buy analyses, and recommend preferred approach. Typically works without supervision and may provide technical guidance.
- Data Collection and Analysis – Works with full competence to determine and analyze trends from data that is collected to assist in compiling reports that will help in decision-making. Typically works without supervision and may provide technical guidance.
- Data Management Techniques - Engineering – Works with full competence to collect, organize, analyze, and interpret technical data from diverse sources to support the design, development, and implementation of engineering solutions. Typically works without supervision and may provide technical guidance.
- Define Future State/TO-BE State – Works with full competence to envision and document the future state of processes and products by identifying the solution scope, potential value of the future state, and the changes to the process, products, organization infrastructure, capabilities, and technology necessary to achieve the desired future state. Typically works without supervision and may provide technical guidance.
- Engineering Design – Works with full competence to apply appropriate method, tools, processes and sof