Job Title: In-House Architect & Project Manager (Restaurant Development)
Location: Kampala, Uganda (East Africa)
Vacancies: 1
Experience Required: 7–10+ Years
Employment Type: Full-Time (In-House Role)
Reporting To: Operations Director / Managing Director
Salary & Benefits Package
Salary: USD 3,000 – 4,500 per month (based on experience)
Additional Benefits:
- Local Allowance
- Fully Furnished Family Accommodation
- Local Transport Provided
- Free Return Air Ticket to India once every 2 years (fully paid)
Job Summary
The In-House Architect & Project Manager will lead the complete planning, design coordination, and execution of new restaurant projects and refurbishments. This role combines architectural oversight with project management responsibilities to ensure all restaurant development projects are completed on time, within budget, and aligned with brand standards, operational requirements, and local regulations.
The role will act as the central coordination point between consultants, contractors, suppliers, landlords, and internal stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
1. Architectural Design & Brand Rollout
- Lead architectural planning for new restaurant openings and renovations
- Adapt and implement standard restaurant design concepts across multiple sites
- Ensure layouts meet operational requirements including kitchen workflow and customer circulation
- Review and coordinate interior design packages to ensure brand consistency and build feasibility
- Prepare, review, and validate architectural drawings, layouts, and design documentation
2. Project Management & Delivery
- Manage projects from site handover to restaurant opening
- Develop and monitor project schedules, milestones, and budgets
- Coordinate all consultants including interior designers, MEP, structural engineers, and kitchen consultants
- Support contractor selection and ensure scope clarity and alignment
- Monitor construction progress, quality, and compliance with approved drawings
- Identify risks, delays, and cost overruns and implement corrective actions
3. Consultant & Contractor Coordination
- Act as the single point of contact across all design and engineering disciplines
- Review and align architectural, MEP, structural, and kitchen drawings
- Ensure drawings are coordinated and clash-free before execution
- Conduct design coordination meetings and site meetings
- Review shop drawings, material submissions, mockups, and technical approvals
4. Stakeholder & Landlord Coordination
- Liaise with landlords, mall management, authorities, and utilities providers
- Support approvals, permits, inspections, and compliance documentation
- Provide clear project progress updates to management and investors
- Translate business and operational objectives into design and construction decisions
5. Quality, Cost & Compliance Control
- Ensure compliance with local building codes, health regulations, and fire safety standards
- Maintain high-quality standards and enforce brand consistency
- Control variation orders and manage cost impact
- Ensure snagging, handover completion, and defect liability follow-up
6. Documentation & Standardization
- Develop and maintain standard templates and guidelines including:
- Restaurant layout templates
- Design guidelines and detailing libraries
- Fit-out specifications and finish schedules
- Improve scalability and efficiency of restaurant rollouts
Key Deliverables
- Architectural layouts and coordination drawings
- Design coordination reports
- Project schedules and budget tracking
- Site progress and status reports
- Contractor/consultant review comments and approvals
- Practical completion and handover documentation
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's Degree in Architecture (Mandatory)
- Registered / Licensed Architect (Preferred)
- 7–10+ years of experience in architectural design and project delivery
- Strong experience in restaurant, hospitality, retail, or F&B fit-outs
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Solid understanding of MEP, structural coordination, and construction sequencing
Skills & Competencies
- Strong leadership and coordination skills
- Excellent planning, scheduling, and time management
- Ability to balance design quality with budget and practicality
- Strong communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders
- High attention to detail with strong problem-solving ability
Preferred (Nice to Have)
- Experience handling chain restaurant rollouts
- Exposure to central kitchen or commissary projects
- Knowledge of AutoCAD, Revit, MS Project, and/or Primavera
- Experience working with malls, landlords, and commercial lease projects
Why This Role is Critical
This role supports business expansion by ensuring:
- Faster restaurant rollouts
- Consistent brand execution
- Reduced site errors and cost overruns
- Strong coordination between design and construction
