Property Development Architect (m/w/d)

The Role

Location: Zurich (1 day per week)
Type: Full Time
Contract type: Permanent

Application closing date: 30 April 2026

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Property Team! 

A Property Development Architect combines the core duties of an architect with the commercial, planning, and feasibility priorities of project management. They play a pivotal role across the entire lifecycle of a development project, from early site assessment through design, planning approval, construction oversight, and delivery. This is a hybrid working role, with at least 1 day a week in the office.

A Property Development Architect is responsible for conceptualising, designing, and helping deliver development projects that are functional, financially viable, compliant with regulations, and aligned with PureGym’s commercial vision. Support  site selection and lead planning applications, team coordination, budget alignment, and construction oversight:

1.   Early Stage Development & Site Analysis:

·      Assist Acquisitions in site selection, evaluating opportunities and constraints.

2.  Concept & Detailed Architectural Design

·      Develop initial design concepts and present them for approval. Prepare and refine architectural drawings based on feedback.

·      Ensure designs meet functional, aesthetic, and regulatory requirements.

·      Provide cost effective designs that improve viability whilst balancing risk.

·      Prepare programmes for each project, including key milestones.

3.  Planning & Regulatory Compliance

·      Engage with planning (permit) officers and local authorities, negotiating support and responding to feedback.

·      Prepare documentation for statutory approvals and permits.

·      Manage approval process to deliver expediated response.

4.  Project & Stakeholder Coordination

·      Coordinate with engineers, contractors, and specialist consultants to ensure design feasibility.

·      Act as a design lead within the wider development team, aligning architectural outputs with commercial objectives.

·      Provide timely and accurate status updates, and drive projects forward at pace by removing any barriers to progress.

5. Construction Oversight

·      Oversee construction to ensure compliance with plans, regulations, and quality standards.

·      Ensure construction stays on programme and manage risk of delays effectively with stakeholders.

·      Ensure Health and Safety standards are adhered to.

·      Conduct site visits and attend project meetings to monitor progress.

·      Modify designs as required due to site conditions.

·         Qualified Architect with industry recognised certification and credentials. Must have experience of auto-CAD with Revit being desirable.

·         Fluent in English and German, with conversational ability in French.

·         Experience of large-scale leisure, retail, hospitality, or rapidly growing organizations, delivering multiple projects at the same time, with in-depth onsite experience.

·         Needs to have a technical understand of construction methodologies and project management.

·         Has experience of building relationships and performance managing 3rd party contractors and advisers to deliver required results.

·         A highly capable operator who can successfully resolve difficult situations and make critical decisions under pressure.

·         Proactive, accountable, hands on, adaptable and able to react quickly to a fast moving, ever-changing environment.

·         An excellent communicator, with the ability to simply convey complex messages and influence at a senior level.

·         Commercially astute, able to evaluate investment decisions considering member brand expectations balanced with the required levels of return.

·         Member focused, always striving to improve the experience for all members through own area or working across the business.

·         Process orientated, with the ability to identify and remove waste through applying lean thinking.

·         Able to work cross-functionally, to bring together all parts of the business to deliver the right outcome for members and PureGym.

·         Can positively represent PureGym and the Development function when interacting with external peer groups and other stakeholders.

·         Ideally has a passion for, or an interest in, fitness and leisure.

·         Able to regularly travel within Switzerland and Denmark (and other European countries over time).

Please submit your application in English.

Join us on our mission is to bring high quality, affordable fitness to everyone, everywhere.

PureGym is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. Our company mantra is ‘Everybody Welcome’ and we are dedicated to promoting a diverse and inclusive place to work.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the advert may be withdrawn at any time. Early application is encouraged.