Assistant Director (Design & Planning)

The Design & Planning Section is part of the Building Division which oversees the planning and development of PA’s community buildings (e.g. Community Clubs) to ensure that spaces are functional, inclusive and optimised for community engagements and active community participations.

The Assistant Director (Design & Planning) is responsible for the planning and design of PA’s building development projects which comprises both new development and upgrading projects. The Assistant Director (Design & Planning) is required to plan and direct all design and planning activities, ensuring projects meet requirements, timelines and within approved budgets. This position will also support the Deputy Director (Design & Planning) in strategic planning, process improvement, and the development of staff within the Design & Planning Section.

Design & Planning

• Represent PA in Community Facilities Co-ordination Committee for master planning of CCs
• Work closely with agencies to identify compatible co-location partners, secure new development sites for PA in prime locations and explore opportunities for re-location of CCs.
• Formulation of design & planning principles and guidelines on the development of new and upgrading CCs.
• Drive the Community Workgroups on Design Briefs for new and upgrading of CCs
• Align PA stakeholders and co-locating partners to plan and develop synergetic and complementary facilities and programmes to meet the needs of residents in large and complex integrated developments.
• Supervise and lead procurement of appointment of multi-disciplinary consultants and predevelopment services/works such as topographic, site surveys and soil investigation etc. at planning stage
• Review designs of building projects under D&P and ensure quality in building designs.
• Oversee design review workshop and monitor signing-off of design brief by PA stakeholders and co-location partners to ensure timely calling of tenders for construction works.
• Oversee submissions and obtain required approvals for implementation of the project (e.g. in-principle approval and IAA approval for predevelopment and development funding of new and upgrading CCs and other building projects) led by the Division.
• Oversee and maintain records of MPC approval of sites and URA written permission approval for new and upgrading CCs and other building projects led by the Division.
• Provide secretariat support to facilitate PA Development Committee meetings.

Team Management

• Provides leadership, supervise and mentor a team of design & planning officers, offering guidance and support to ensure professional development and fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
• Establish and maintain a working environment conducive to positive morale, individual style, quality, creativity and teamwork.
• Oversee and give direction to appointed team of multi-disciplinary consultants comprising architectural, civil & structural, mechanical & electrical, quantity surveyor, environmental, interior and etc. to ensure assigned projects obtain design sign off for calling and awarding tender within schedule and approved budget to meet the project strategic, design, quality and operational objectives.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, contractors and sub-contractors to resolve any issues or conflicts that may arise during the design and planning stage.

Account Management

• Preparation of development budget and securing funds for development projects based on CC master plan.
• Control, review and monitor budgetary cost plan and cashflow projections to ensure project is within approved budget during design phase.
• Co-ordinate and monitor project cashflow at design and planning stage to ensure fund sufficiency.
• Ensure prompt update of fixed assets capitalization (DPIP), compliance to Government and internal procurement & financial procedures.

Innovation and Design Enhancement

• Identify best practices and industry benchmarks for good design and facilities, review and update CC design guidelines.
• Drive construction productivity, adopts BIM, smart initiatives, universal design and seamless connectivity for CCs and co-located community projects.

Other ad-hoc duties not covered under main responsibilities and duties.

• Other ad-hoc duties assigned by Deputy Director and Director to achieve PA /Division’s vision, goals and objectives.

Education

Minimum - Professional Certification in Architecture or equivalent.

Experience

Minimum - 10 years experience in related field with good knowledge of architectural design, space planning, building regulation, construction method and building material selection.
Desired – At least 15 years experience in related field with good knowledge of architectural design, space planning, building regulation, construction method and building material selection and successfully completed projects with value above $30 million.

Others

• Strong command of English language with good written, communication and presentation skills.
• Good knowledge in architectural design, sustainable construction/Green Building technologies, risk and conflict management and relevant Singapore Standards, Codes of Practices and regulatory guidelines.
• Flair in design and able to conceptualise ideas and space planning with presentation drawings.
• Knowledge of contract administration and project management.
• Good technical and planning capabilities to manage multiple projects (including large scale projects) simultaneously.
• Must have strong organizational, analytical, conceptualization, communication and inter-personal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively under pressure.
• Self-driven and able to work independently with good time management, initiatives and able to multi-task.
• Resourceful and able to lead the team towards achieving specific goals.
• Proficient in MS Office application (eg Words, Excel, PowerPoint), AutoCAD and Revit; Knowledge in BIM, Adobe Photoshop, SketchUp and rendering software is an added advantage.
• Proficient in Government IM and experience managing large scale public projects are advantage.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Successful candidates will be given a 3-year contract.

The People’s Association was set up in 1960, in a time of racial and communal strife, to foster racial harmony and social cohesion. Today, we continue to be driven by the same purpose - to build an inclusive, united and resilient Singapore. We create spaces and opportunities for people of different backgrounds to participate and volunteer in their community. Through community participation, we connect people and deepen relationships to build communities of mutual care and trust.