WAEL KHANFER
Riyadh,Saudi Arabia
Summary
Architect & lead Management Professional with over 25 years of experience delivering complex architectural and interior design projects across residential, commercial, healthcare, governmental, and cultural developments. Extensive expertise in concept design, detailed architectural documentation, interior fit-out, and multidisciplinary coordination, with a strong ability to translate client vision into technically sound, cost-effective solutions.
Certified Engineering Arbitrator and Contract Specialist, highly experienced in contract administration, claims management, and stakeholder negotiations, ensuring projects are delivered within approved budgets, contractual frameworks, and scheduled timelines. Proven capability in managing multiple concurrent projects, leading diverse teams, and driving execution through strategic planning and resource optimization.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
2000
2000
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
FIT-OUT Manager
Erga Saudi Lebanese co
Riyadh
2023.07 - 2026.01
- The project entails constructing the Palms Residence Tower (Northern Tower, 129.1 m), inclusive of architectural, structural, civil, electrical, and mechanical works, car parks, storage areas, water tanks, a pool, and external landscaped/hardscaped works, all designed to comply with the latest international codes and requirements.
- Manage and oversee all phases of interior fit-out projects from initiation to completion.
- Manage the construction program by coordinating with the construction team, management, and consultants to ensure the project's progress stays on schedule.
- Collaborate with clients to understand their needs, and ensure project specifications align with their vision.
- Conduct site surveillance, meetings, and discussions with the team regarding work progress. Analyse resource adequacy/requirements for achieving the schedule. Implement corrective actions for any variations from the plan and verify their effectiveness.
- Present weekly progress status, following week plans, and potential issues affecting the project's progress to management, and discuss and decide on the corrective actions.
- Develop detailed project plans, timelines, budgets, and ensure adherence to these schedules and financial limitations.
- Provide accurate project progress status on a weekly and monthly basis.
- Coordinate with subcontractors, suppliers, and internal teams to maintain project workflow and timelines.
- Conduct regular site visits to monitor progress, quality of work, and address any issues that arise promptly.
- Review and verify the subcontractor payment applications to complete the scope, and recommend to the commercial department.
- Provide the necessary inputs and documents for preparing variation orders and claims to the commercial department.
- Collaborate with clients to understand their needs and ensure project specifications align with their vision.
- Ensure compliance with safety regulations, and industry standards throughout the project lifecycle.
- Communicate project updates to all stakeholders, maintaining transparency, and managing expectations effectively.
- Identify and mitigate project risks, and implement contingency plans as needed.
- Responsibility for construction management and completion on time.
- Analysis and management of risks, opportunities, and the project.
- Management and control of complete project documentation.
- Maintaining the required quality and work safety.
- Problem-solving and the ability to take full control of a project.
- Conducted performance reviews, identifying areas for development and rewarding high achievers.
- Optimised workforce scheduling, balancing team workload to prevent burnout and maintain morale.
- Directed crisis management efforts during unforeseen events, minimising disruption to operations.
- Streamlined internal processes, increasing productivity by 30% within the first year.
- Client: Investor's Vision Company.
- Project: The Palms Residence, Tower.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients to secure repeat business.
Technical Design Manager
JAMES CUBITT & PARTNERS
Riyadh
2021.09 - 2023.06
- Overseeing teams of designers to ensure projects are produced on time, to a high specification.
- Managing the technical team members to ensure on-time project delivery.
- Overseeing the design process using technical expertise.
- Working with clients to ensure that their expectations are met.
- Reviewing designs with health and safety in mind.
- Avoid errors and reduce financial risk during construction.
- Ensuring designs are available to those who need them at the appropriate time.
- Maintaining thorough documentation of the design process.
- Keeping up to date with changing building legislation and codes of practice relating to design.
- Working in an office, with occasional site visits.
- Coordinating between the construction and engineering teams ensures that the construction requirements are conveyed to the engineering teams, and that the engineering deliverables satisfy the construction requirements.
- Collaborated with team members to achieve target results.
- Collaborated with staff to formulate budgets and improve department revenue.
- Led Wave 2 multidisciplinary design delivery, acting as the primary technical interface between Client, JV, and TBC to ensure coordinated IFC-ready packages.
- Drove constructability, design-risk mitigation, and authority compliance, reducing RFIs, variations, and downstream construction exposure.
- Chaired technical reviews and workshops while supporting commercial teams with QA/QC-driven clarifications across tendering and contract stages.
- Investigate the best possible shop drawing solutions and details.
- Attending progress meetings, discussing, and suggesting technical proposals.
- Check all drawings to ensure that each drawing is coordinated between disciplines.
- Implementing and resolving technical problems that arise.
- Preparing technical submittals.
- Meeting project stakeholders as needed.
- Managed payroll accuracy using specific checklists and quality review processes.
- Coordinate projects as built, and be responsible for accurate information coordination between the team.
- Client:
- Ministry of the Interior in Saudi Arabia, KAP5.
- WAVE2 Project.
- Al-Akaria Real Estate.
- Hilton.
Finishing Resident Manager
Erga Saudi Lebanese co
Jeddah
2019.09 - 2021.08
- Establishing clearly defined phasing zones within the building.
- Finalize and manage the finishing works between civil and MEP within projects to ensure that construction is delivered to the client with the required quality standards, and within agreed-upon timescales.
- Plan and manage defined phasing zones from project initiation until project handover, to set the time and work expectations.
- Coordinate the company's finishing workers and the subcontractors to ensure collaboration and avoid project drawbacks.
- Study, review, and validate shop drawings to avoid discrepancies.
- Distribute the task to the engineering team and/or subcontractors according to the shop drawing, and construction managers to be approved by the quality engineers.
- Ensure compliance with data sheets, drawings, specifications, and quality standards to hand over projects successfully.
- Ensuring that the finishing trades clearly understand the phasing system and progress efficiently through the zones in a planned, orderly manner, completing all works as necessary.
- Ensuring planned, collaborative coordination between the finishing trades as they progress through the phased zones.
- Finalize invoices, coordinate subcontractor payments, and update projects' financial reports accordingly to ensure accurate project information.
- Holding weekly meetings with the finishing trades to plan and organise their works.
- Ensuring all phased zones are kept clean and tidy, and that finished works are protected until handover.
- Review the contractor's, the subcontractors', and outsourced shop drawings, and coordinate their approval process.
- Ensuring compliance with room data sheets, drawings, specifications, workmanship clauses, and quality standards, including general standards.
- Working with the Project Surveyor to ensure that the project is delivered cost-effectively and within budget.
- Working with the Contracts Manager on all matters of progress and programming, and the general direction of the project.
- Attending monthly internal project review meetings to help the team progress the works in an efficient and professional manner.
- Assist with coordinating and organizing subcontractors and direct labor force, ensuring the site is ready for incoming trades.
- This will include vetting new contractors, pre-commencement meetings, and weekly review meetings.
- Assist the Contracts Manager with buildability reviews to ensure the implementation of best practices.
- Work with the Contracts Manager to implement design changes as the work progresses.
- Programming, phasing, sequencing, and management of site-based resources to facilitate the completion of the project in an orderly and efficient manner.
- Regular liaison with the project team to successfully achieve the company's objectives as programmed.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers and service providers, achieving cost-effective solutions for property maintenance.
- Developed and implemented resident retention programs, organizing community events to foster a positive living environment.
- Managed emergency response plans, conducted drills, and ensured all staff were trained to handle various crises.
- Clients: Olayan Financing Co.
- Project: KAUST hotel.
Lead Architect and Technical support team & contract specialist
Pace Architecture Engineering & Planning
Riyadh
2017.11 - 2019.08
- Study all projects for clients, and give advice.
- Check the bill of materials and specifications, and ensure that they meet the requirements of the project and its general specifications.
- Develop architectural drawings, guide and direct interior design supervision, and design for a variety of building types, from initial concept and preliminary design to final design and tender documentation level.
- Scrutinize bills of materials and specifications, and ensure that they meet the requirements of the project and its overall specifications.
- Design and Technical Support team.
- Contract specialist.
- Negotiate contract agreements for products and services.
- Assess contractor performance to identify the need for amendments to existing contracts.
- Prepare and edit contracts between the company and potential clients.
- Handle breaches of contract promptly.
- Serve as the main liaison with outside contracting representatives.
- Develop and implement effective procurement proposals.
- Research regulations to guarantee contracts are updated and in compliance with laws.
- Coordinate with clients to ensure that the terms of the contracts are fulfilled in compliance with the contract terms and regulations.
- Clients: Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage.
- Projects:
- Government buildings.
- Museums.
Senior Interior Designer and Material Specialist
PROGER SPA
Riyadh
2014.01 - 2017.09
- Utilize knowledge of hospitality furniture and technology, custom furniture and lighting solutions, finishes, materials, colour selections, and ID specifications.
- Produce furniture plans, specifications, material selections, and schedules needed for construction documentation independently or with minimal supervision.
- Participate in the selection of furniture systems and specifications.
- Specify products and materials.
- Specify equipment, materials, and supplies required for the completion and implementation of the projects.
- Create and present materials to executive management for internal and external events.
- Perform professional architectural design and project management for construction projects.
- Manage the interior design process for an entire project, consistent with the project's program, budget, and time constraints.
- Coordinate project teams in the progress of architectural design and construction drawings, interior design drawings, specifications, schedules, cost estimates, and project reports.
- Develop technical specifications for construction projects.
- Developed comprehensive project proposals, outlining scope, timelines, and budget considerations for client approval.
- Led design projects from concept through to completion, coordinating with clients, contractors, and suppliers.
- Managed budgets effectively, delivering high-quality interior solutions within financial constraints.
- Streamlined project workflows, implementing efficient processes and tools to reduce lead times and increase productivity.
- Mentored junior designers, sharing expertise and guidance to foster their professional development.
- Client: Ministry of the Interior in Saudi Arabia.
- Total amount of the project: 13,000,000,000 SAR.
- Projects include government buildings.
- Hospitals and other facilities.
Projects Manager & ID Coordinator
Almaali Contracting Company
Amman
2008.01 - 2014.01
- Developed a project plan and schedule, comprising all the activities, their interdependencies, time durations, and resource requirements.
- Prepared the scope of work, along with the parameters and main constraints, to ensure efficient project deliverables as per requirements.
- Implemented company policies and procedures from project planning to the complete execution of the project, as per the plan.
- Scrutinized and studied the shop drawings, material submittals, details of furniture, accessories, and plantation submitted by the interior design contractor for approval.
- Negotiated tenders and quotations with the contractors and vendors for competitive rates, and approved claims, order changes, and controlled costs.
- Coordinated with the internal project team and specialist contractors by following up on project work at the site, and resolving problems to ensure timely completion.
- Prepared periodic reports for clients and management covering the status of the project via the schedules, highlights, and major issues.
- Executed supervisory responsibilities of professional employees to ensure that the department meets specifically assigned ongoing and annual operational and financial objectives.
- Utilized project management software and tools to track project progress, allocate resources, and document outcomes.
- Mentored junior project managers and team members, sharing expertise and guiding professional development within the project management discipline.
- Carefully planned realistic project schedules to guarantee on-time delivery.
- Built and maintained outstanding stakeholder relationships through exceptional communication, negotiation and influence abilities.
- Projects:
- Successfully executed the following projects.
- Government buildings: Parliament, police stations, and ministries.
- Banks' branches and main buildings.
- Palaces, villas, and commercial buildings and malls.
- Hotels, motels, and landscaping.
- Hospitals.
- Hotel Renovation (Crowne Plaza Amman).
Senior Architect
CC Group (Consolidated Consultants)
Amman
2005.07 - 2008.01
- Developed and created technical designs and specifications in alignment with the client's specific requirements.
- Plan and maintain project budgets, and schedule planning activities with the team and managers.
- Attend and lead progress and technical meetings, discuss, and suggest technical proposals.
- Take part in project and risk management reviews.
- Coordinate between the construction and contractors' engineering teams, ensuring that all requirements are conveyed clearly and delivered upon.
- Coordinate with quantity surveyors, payment appreciations, and change orders.
- Assist the Technical Office Manager with technical and departmental issues.
- Review and approve the shop drawings and material submittals with respect to the project specification and standards of practice, submitted by contractors.
- Continually review the contractor's construction schedule during the progress of site works.
- Review the Contractor's material proposals against specified technical performance requirements, and advise the Technical Manager on the appropriateness of the proposals.
- Review the Contractor's proposed subcontractor(s) associated with the architectural engineering packages.
- Diminished process lags by training technicians on best practices while managing architects, engineering contractors, CAD technicians, interns and clients throughout contract document phases on multiple projects.
- Conducted thorough site analyses to inform design decisions and identify potential challenges.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop integrated design solutions that met client requirements.
- Projects:
- Government buildings: Parliament, police stations, and ministries.
- Banks' branches and main buildings.
- Palaces, villas, and complexes.
- Commercial buildings and malls.
- Hotels: KEMPINSKI HOTEL, Amman (12 floors, 5 restaurants, and 278 rooms and suites that are designed to provide accommodation across 4 tiers of luxury).
Junior Architect
Ja'afar Touqan & Partners Co
Amman
2000.07 - 2005.01
- Developed designs of different types of buildings, such as villas, residential buildings, and commercial complexes as per clients' requirements.
- Scrutinized, analyzed, and evaluated the tenders and quotations submitted by the contractors and traders, and negotiated the most competitive rates and terms and conditions.
- Prepared agreements and sub-agreements with the contractors, as per the terms and conditions finalized with them, for approval of appropriate authorities.
- Kept track of the latest market prices in the local market on an ongoing basis, processed purchase orders for finishing materials, and arranged timely delivery of the materials.
- Supervised, inspected, and monitored construction work to ensure that it conformed to the contract and specifications.
- Coordinated site activities to ensure the smooth progress of work, ensuring completion of the project within the due timeline.
- Verified the bills submitted by the contractors to check the actual progress of work, and determine the payable amount as per the terms of the contract.
- Prepared responses to, and followed up on, correspondences with the contractors and consultants without any delay.
- Projects:
- Commercial and apartment buildings in Swiefyeh.
- Commercial building extension at Queen Rania Rd.
- Design of many villas and apartments.
- Hotels Sheraton Amman (268 rooms, 42 rooms in the towers, in addition to 11 junior suites, 15 executive suites, diplomatic suites, and a royal suite).
Education
Bachelor of Science - Architecture & Engineering
Alisra University
Amman, JordanSkills
- Building Design
- Design Documentation
- Design Standards
- Quality Assurance
- Negotiation
- Contract Finalisation
- Leadership
- Analytical Ability
- AutoCAD
- Abode Photoshop
- Tender Evaluation
- Coordination
- Change Orders
- Bill Verification
- Decision Making
- 3D Max
- Reporting
- Quality control
- Engineering
- Arbitration
- Revit
- Contract specialist
- Construction Materials
- Project Planning
- Material Specifications
- ID Supervision
- Shop Drawings
- Procurement
- Teamwork
- Problem Solving
- Primavera
- MS Office
- Construction Detailing
- Scheduling
- International Codes
- Strategic planning software
- Project oversight
- Inspiring motivation
- Knowledge of regulatory standards
- Mentoring and coaching
- Financial Forecasting
- Budget planning
- Product development
- Customer relationship management systems
- Microsoft office suite proficiency
- Diplomatic communication
- Constructive criticism
- Interpersonal effectiveness
- Negotiation techniques
- Effective delegating
- Leadership in diverse environments
- Technical proficiency
- Product knowledge and integration
- Influential communication
Certification
- Arbitration Engineering and FIDIC, International Centre for Training, Development & Arbitration, Istanbul - Turkey, 04/2015
- Certified International Engineering Arbitrator, 04/2015
- Member International Federation of Consulting Engineers, 04/2015
- Saudi Council of Engineers, 2014
- Saudi Council of Engineers Engineering Arbitration (Technical expert), 2014
- Jordanian Engineers Association, 2000
LANGUAGES
English
Arabic
HOBBIES AND INTERESTS
Travel, Basket Ball, Reading, Football
TRAINING
- OHSAS 18001:2007 Internal Auditor, International Academy for Safety Professionals, KSA, 01/2017
- ISO 9001:2015 Internal Auditor, International Academy for Safety Professionals, KSA, 01/2017
- ISO 14001:2015 Internal Auditor, International Academy for Safety Professionals, KSA, 01/2017
- Job Hazard Analysis, IASP-International Association of Safety Professionals, KSA, 08/2016
- Risk Assessment, IASP-International Association of Safety Professionals, KSA, 08/2016
- Construction, IASP-International Association of Safety Professionals, KSA, 02/2016
- Total Quality Management, International Academy for Safety Professionals, KSA, 06/2016
- Arbitration Engineering and FIDIC, International Centre for Training, Development & Arbitration, Istanbul - Turkey, 04/2015
- Supervisor Diploma in Occupation Safety and Health, IASP-International Association Of Safety Professionals, KSA, 01/2016
- Diplomatic and political Relation and International conflicts, The International Arbitration Organization, 08/2017
- Diplomatic and political Relation and International conflicts, AIA, 08/2017
- Primavera, Jordanian Engineers Association, Amman, Jordan, 01/2011
- Revit, Jordanian Engineers Association, Amman, Jordan, 04/2008
- 3D Max, Jordanian Engineers Association, Amman, Jordan, 04/2001
- AutoCAD 2D & 3D, Jordanian Engineers Association, Amman, Jordan, 07/2000
PERSONAL INFORMATION
- Nationality: Jordanian
- Marital status: Married
DRIVING LICENCE
Category B auto
Timeline
FIT-OUT Manager
Erga Saudi Lebanese co
2023.07 - 2026.01
Technical Design Manager
JAMES CUBITT & PARTNERS
2021.09 - 2023.06
Finishing Resident Manager
Erga Saudi Lebanese co
2019.09 - 2021.08
Lead Architect and Technical support team & contract specialist
Pace Architecture Engineering & Planning
2017.11 - 2019.08
Senior Interior Designer and Material Specialist
PROGER SPA
2014.01 - 2017.09
Projects Manager & ID Coordinator
Almaali Contracting Company
2008.01 - 2014.01
Senior Architect
CC Group (Consolidated Consultants)
2005.07 - 2008.01
Junior Architect
Ja'afar Touqan & Partners Co
2000.07 - 2005.01
Bachelor of Science - Architecture & Engineering
Alisra University