Facade Consultant - UAE National

Inhabit is a unique, multi-disciplinary team of professionals who are passionate about making a positive contribution to our built environment.

We are a collective of experienced architects, designers, engineers and detailers who work both independently and in partnership to form a holistic approach to the services that we offer. We believe that our respective areas of expertise can be integrated to allow seamless interdisciplinary synergy to create buildings that are more relevant to our evolving society.

We are focused on design-led engineering, providing technical and comprehensive solutions that thoughtfully and creatively consider aesthetics, engineering, cost, procurement, and sustainability driving towards a building that is sensitive and inspirational within its socio-cultural context.

List of Responsibilities

The Façade Consultant forms part of the Design team within the global structure of the company and assumes general responsibilities that pro-actively contribute to the growth of Façade consultancy capabilities and all other disciplines across the globe. 

This includes responsibility for all design, documentation, administration, and compliance with project constraints undertaken for Façade and all other disciplines. You will also need to fulfill legal responsibilities commensurate with your position.

The following is an overview of responsibilities and performance standards required of the Façade Consultant:

• Major Function
• Project Management
• Client Management
• Technical Excellence
• Marketing and Business Development
• Mentoring, Training and Personal Growth

Major Function

Duties include but not limited to:

• Manage consulting services for assigned façade projects and responsible for project managing a portfolio of clients & projects from concept stage to construction completion, ensuring project deliverables are met, and Inhabit high standards are maintained
• Carry out topic research and investigation
• Provide design and build-ability consultancy of façade systems including material knowledge and installation techniques
• Participate and actively contribute to design workshops where cladding solutions are explored and determined
• Contribute to the design and engineering of curtain wall, glazing and cladding systems, as well as specialty systems (i.e. structural glass, cables, ETFE, etc.)
• Perform technical / peer reviews and provide recommendations regarding design output and reports prepared
• Coordinate with other project consultants such as Architects, Builders, Contractors, and Sub Contractors to determine best practice façade design outcomes
• Communicate regularly and proactively with your manager as required in order to assist the process of managing your work/lifestyle balance and those of more junior staff members. Raise any concerns and make appropriate recommendations to your manager for consideration
• Provide assistance during construction of façade systems including attendance mock-up testing, shop drawing reviews from contractors and conduct factory & site inspections
• Meet with architects to develop façade design concepts, detailing, specifications, and engineering feasibility and coordinate with other project consultants such as Builders, Contractors, and Sub Contractors to determine best practice façade design outcomes
• Coordinate with the Engineers, and the Design team on a regular basis to proactively raise/resolve project related issues which could affect the delivery of the documentation
• Provide hand-design sketches, develop reports for all stages of the project from conception to completion
• Produce drawings, write specifications and schedules to inform and respond to site and construction-related queries
• Assist and coordinate with other members of the consulting team in the preparation of project deliverables
• Review contractor’s submissions and interface with the Client and site engineers for technical queries
• Carry out factory fabrication inspections, PMU test inspections, tempered glass heat soak tests, stone cladding inspections, etc.. and prepare associated technical and site inspection reports
• Meet and report regularly to the site based client engineering team
• Review and comment on subcontractor's shop drawings & structural calculations, BD submission drawings, fabrication drawings & material submission
• Follow the general drawing protocols and cad file system set by Inhabit
• Provide assistance to engineers and design team in regards to cad or hand sketches for presentation purposes
• Demonstrate respectful, supportive and positive behavior and interactions with all colleagues across all disciplines/business units and other offices to support a positive culture and assist in driving engagement
• Build and maintain positive and productive working relationships with internal colleagues across Inhabit
• Attend team meetings and participate and provide input in decision making as a team member
• Keep an up-to-date working knowledge of relevant design techniques, technical standards, codes of practice and systems and procedures. Broaden technical knowledge through personal research, seminars, forums, etc. and share new knowledge with the team as appropriate
• Keep up-to-date with relevant software new to the market that will help develop our business and make recommendations your manager
• Evaluate opportunities for improved efficiencies and effectiveness in consultation with management including identifying, developing and implementing standards, systems, tools and processes to support continuous improvement within the business
• Take an active interest in the other disciplines (Design Documentation, Building Physics/ESD/PassivHaus, Acoustics, Logistics, BMU/Remedial, Lighting etc..) in order to further develop your specialist skills and cross-sell Inhabit services

Project Management

You shall be responsible for efficient and profitable completion of all projects and tasks under your control whilst maintaining excellent technical standards and client satisfaction.

Detailed responsibilities and/or targets include:

• Cost planning and output required to meet project budgets
• Managing clients to secure work, marketing and fee proposals
• Assisting the management team to secure work, marketing and fee proposals
• Manage Project Team resources to effectively deliver the Project’s requirements
• Allocation and management of time to suit programs and project budgets
• Ensure projects are completed on-time and without cost overrun
• Ensure high technical standing on the project such that client complaints do not arise

Client Management

You shall continually strengthen client loyalty and gain repeat business by providing high quality service and creative (‘Leading Edge’) solutions to clients by way of:

• Communicate with clients to establish their needs and maintain a dialogue throughout the project
• Maintain an exceptional favourable record in client response to timeliness and quality of work provided
• Continually aim for repeat business from all clients in contact with Inhabit.

Technical Excellence

You shall assume full responsibility for work quality undertaken, including:

• Identification of technically complex projects and problems that require high level input
• Provision of concept design, peer review and checking services on international projects to assist in maintaining high standards
• Take necessary action to prevent the occurrence of design documentation and/or quality system non-conformity
• Advise management if any tasks are beyond your current level of competency to get assistance, as and when required
• Ensure all project documentation is maintained to a level as required by Inhabits’ QA system
• Endorse and facilitate the quality management system (QMS) and the Business’s commitment to quality
• Conduct all activities in accordance with the quality management system.

Marketing and Business Development

You shall actively participate in the marketing of the practice as a multi-disciplined engineering company and shall achieve agreed targets in all aspects of practice development, including:

• Assist in preparing fee proposals for prospective clients and/or projects including, where necessary, co-ordination of inputs from other disciplines (BMU, Acoustics, Lighting, Building Physics/ESD, Logistics etc...).
• Conduct presentations of proposals for prospective clients and/or projects
• Complete project sheets for each project undertaken by and compliance with project and office QA procedures
• Maintain regular contact with existing or prospective clients for establishing potential future work
• Active participation in a broad range of client-focused functions, events, conferences, seminars, committees etc. to enhance the professional image of both the Façade Consultant and Inhabit
• Maximise cross-selling opportunities for Inhabit and prepare project proposals to support profit targets including, where necessary, co-ordination of inputs from other disciplines (Design Documentation, Building Physics/ESD/PassivHaus, Acoustics, Logistics, BMU/Remedial, Lighting etc.)

Personal Growth

• Identifying training opportunities, both internally and externally including seminars, events, conferences, talks, university lectures, factory visits, construction phase training, etc., to assist with your development and of the team and to address any knowledge gaps. Write technical notes from these training opportunities and/or project experiences as appropriate
• Assist junior team members to ensure they are following Inhabit’s quality management system and ensure Inhabit QA procedures are followed and maintained during all stages of projects
• Coordinate, participate and actively contribute to design workshops, where facade solutions are explored and determined.  Workshops may be with architects, suppliers, and fellow professionals and with the facade industry
• Grow and develop in professionalism and job effectiveness through reading Inhabits’ technical notes and contributing to the development and improvement of the technical notes on an active basis
• Maintain a profile in the Industry by participation at relevant events and involvement on committees that will assist with business growth and exposure and projecting a positive and professional company image
• Network within the industry to develop industry intelligence
• Attend and present at internal technical forums, talks, and workshops
• Keep up-to-date with key technical developments, software, and innovations within the Industry, encouraging staff to do the same
• Participate in educational programs and skill-based training as required
• Present technical or commercial papers at a national or international conference/seminar

Role Capability Profile

Quality & Quantity of Work:

• Assures accuracy, thoroughness, and reliability of results
• Meets the workload requirements of the job
• Is proficient in technical skills required for the job
• Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge required to complete job responsibilities

Decisions:

• Conducts thorough analysis before making decisions
• Makes sound, logical and timely decisions

Planning & Time Management:

• Develops & implements effective action plans
• Meets deadlines as required
• Maintains performance under pressure
• Timesheet efficiency (weekly submission)

Performance Management:

• Achieves own objectives
• Delegates appropriate tasks to appropriate people
• Gives employees adequate information & authority
• Follows up progress on delegated projects
• Provides ongoing feedback and training to employees where relevant

Initiative:

• Displays initiative in the position and does not seek unnecessary clarification or instruction
• Generates and implements worthwhile, practical new ideas and methods
• Responds effectively to changing needs of the workplace

Relationships:

• Interacts appropriately with customers/clients, both internally and externally
• Displays good interpersonal skills
• Uses appropriate style to resolve conflict with people at all levels
• Acts in best interest of the organisation

Communication:

• Listens attentively, demonstrates full understanding
• Oral and written – expresses ideas effectively
• Quality of presentations
• Preparation of internal and external correspondence

Personal Attributes:

• Attitude and participation towards project, client, team
• Motivation in role
• Sense of urgency when appropriate
• Confidence in role amongst team and clients
• Desire to achieve high standards, set goals or targets
• Overall commitment to your position
• Adaptability and willingness to learn
• How you apply new skills
• Team interaction
• Willingness to help others

Other requirements

• Correctly use and maintain Personal Protective Equipment provided
• Takes reasonable care for the safety of his/her own health and safety and that of other people who may be affected by their conduct in the workplace
• Seek guidance for all new or modified work procedures to ensure that any hazardous conditions, near misses and injuries, are reported immediately to Management
• Participate in compliance training and other environment, health and safety activities as required
• Abide by the Inhabit Code of Conduct; this is a minimum standard of behaviour that must be upheld by all employees
• In addition to the duties set out in this Position Description, you may be expected to perform such other duties as may from time to time be reasonably assigned to you by the Employer.

Other relevant information

• Travel to various work locations may be required
• Your duties as set out in this Position Description may from time to time be amended, varied, modified or reassigned by the Employer in accordance with business needs.

Bachelor of Architecture or Bachelor of Civil Engineering or Bachelor of Structural Engineering, or Bachelor or Mechanical Engineering