BUILDX STUDIO

Kyuna Road
P.O. Box 24504
00100 Nairobi, Kenya

February 2020

JOB SUMMARY

Role: Head of Design.

Reporting to: Design Director.
Salary: Negotiated.
Benefits: Extensive Healthcare Insurance (incl. family cover) and
Flexi-Leave Policy.
Growth Opportunities: Potential promotion track to COO based
on growth of the company and candidate performance, plus
mentorship and periodic further training opportunities available.
Experience: 8+ years professional experience with relevant
design industry degree (e.g. architecture, engineering) and/or
MBA or similar business management experience.
Employment Type: Full Time, 3mo. probation.
Location: Nairobi, Kenya.

BuildX Studio envisions a world made

for people and planet by creating
the buildings of a radically better
tomorrow.
BuildX Studio is looking to hire a new Head of Design to drive
successful delivery and exceptional performance standards of
our architecture, engineering and quantity surveying operations.
You must be able to demonstrate strong leadership skills and
experience in operations. You should be motivated to work within
a dynamic and challenging start-up environment alongside a
diverse team driven by a shared social purpose.

Our approach is unique and demands driven and creative

leadership. This role is not for the faint-hearted, and will be a

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February 2020

highly demanding and challenging position. Yet, it will also be one

of the most rewarding and satisfying jobs you will be likely to
ever take on.

Please give careful consideration to your ability to give the time,

resilience, motivation and expertise which this role requires
before applying. Thank you.

Competency:
The ideal candidate will have:

• Exceptional project management skills, including a proven

ability to successfully deliver multiple complex projects at
once;
• Strong problem-solving skills and proven ability to proactively
foresee and mitigate challenges, problems and risks;
• A rigorous details-oriented mindset, able to perform at a high
level with complex challenges and unafraid of getting their
hands dirty;
• Demonstrable aptitude for clear and prompt decision-making
within a challenging and pressured environment;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including leading and working
with others from different cultural backgrounds;
• Demonstrable track record of building effective, motivated
and organised teams;
• Good working knowledge and experience with design and
design-build contracts (FIDIC preferred) and a proven ability
to assess and implement legal documents which ensure a
robust project framework;
• A strong understanding of and ability to drive design quality
standards and assurance controls;
• Competence in interpreting and handling the production of
technical documentation and drawings required to execute
construction projects to the highest standard of quality;
• Trained in commonly-used industry software (AutoCAD, Revit,
Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign in particular), MS Excel), and
an aptitude for learning new software;

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• Strong organisational skills with an ordered and disciplined

approach to both personal and team document management
and reporting;
• A solid grasp of data analysis and performance metrics;
• Solid financial analysis and management skills with particular
experience in design finance and budgets;
• Strategic thinking abilities including being able to seamlessly
move between the detailed and the “bigger picture”;
• An understanding of all facets of the design-build industry
and process, particularly in Kenya;
• Experience in winning work and preparing strong bids.

Key Responsibilities:
• Drive and maintain exceptional standards of performance
across the full portfolio of design work undertaken by BuildX
Studio, in particular against four key pillars: cost, quality, time
and people;
• Manage the financial performance and accountability of
design projects to ensure the company achieves their targets
and project goals relative to growth and profitability;
• Take ownership over and demand compliance with company
systems and controls on all projects, carrying out internal
audits to evidence and drive a culture of accurate, clear and
transparent communication and reporting at all levels;
• Troubleshoot and address any problems or challenges arising
or foreseeable across all design projects;
• Where necessary, interrogate and check all information,
documentation and other design-related data or work at a
detailed level to ensure accuracy and quality, in turn assuring
performance and accountability;
• Manage, mentor and supervise the design team to build their
capacity, confidence and knowledge, and to build a high-
functioning and motivated team;
• Together with Design Director, set comprehensive goals for
staff performance and growth, and uphold clear reporting,
data capture and measurement structures;
• Regularly analyze internal operations and identify areas of

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process and management enhancement;

• Manage the strategic growth and business development
of the design department, including preparation and
presentation of achievable strategic options for review by the
Design Director;
• Manage relationships with all design project clients, partners
and other key stakeholders;
• Negotiate and oversee the preparation of contracts and sub-
contracts for all design projects;
• Ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory
requirements required for design operations;
• Attend and contribute to Senior Management Team meetings
to support the overall development, performance and growth
of BuildX Studio, and delivery of the business plan and
strategic initiatives;
• Contribute towards identifying and winning work from new
clients, and lead the preparation and control of design
proposals;
• Strategise, plan and implement a Measurement & Evaluation
Framework for BuildX Studio’s key impact areas (Climate,
Well-Being, Women);
• Fundraising for Research and Innovation grants and other
innovation-related capital;
• Pro-actively embrace and promote BuildX Studio’s company
culture and values both internally and externally;
• Uphold and support BuildX Studio’s social mission and
demonstrate commitment to ensuring social impact goals are
met across the organisation, including to Buildher (our sister
organisation) by advocating for and driving increased female
representation across all of our workforce.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Minimum 8 years’ professional experience in the design sector
(other relevant sectors will be considered) and at least 5
years at a management level.
• Degree qualification in relevant design industry degree (e.g.
architecture, engineering) and/or a degree qualification in

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business/ operations management;

• Willing and able to live in Nairobi and travel as required within
Africa;
• Passionate about social and environmental impact, and
empowering women in construction;
• Resourceful, independent and proactive worker, able to
perform to an exceptionally high standard under pressure;
• Registration with a relevant professional board or body will be
considered a bonus.

Apply
Please send your CV and cover letter to apply@buildxstudio.com

In addition to outlining your relevant expertise and experience,

please also tell us why you want to work at BuildX Studio.

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