Architect – VKB Properties x1
Job Details
Job Title: Architect – VKB Properties
Company: VKB Group
Division: VKB Corporate Services
Business Unit: Property Management
Department/Team: Property and Development
Location: Head Office, Reitz, Free State
Employment Type: Permanent
Industry: Agriculture
Job Functional Area: Design
Experience Level: Mid-Senior
Minimum Experience: 8 years of post-graduation architectural experience
Posted Date: 14 October 2026
Closing Date: 28 October 2026
Salary: Not specified
Company Overview
The VKB Group is an agricultural company supporting farmers and supplying food products to consumers. Its operations cover the agricultural value chain, including farming support, processing, logistics, storage, handling and distribution.
Through its regional brands, VKB, GWK and NTK, the group continues to expand its presence across South Africa. Its Property and Development team designs, develops and improves facilities that support the group’s agricultural, commercial and retail operations.
Job Description
The Architect will oversee architectural projects from initial concepts and feasibility assessments through to detailed design, construction documentation and project implementation.
The role focuses on delivering innovative, practical and cost-effective architectural solutions for retail outlets, filling stations and commercial facilities. The successful candidate will coordinate engineering designs, manage council submissions and approvals, maintain corporate building standards and ensure that projects comply with applicable legislation.
The position also requires leadership in technical design, draughting resources, evacuation planning and sustainable building practices.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
Engaging with stakeholders to establish project requirements, objectives and specifications.
Developing conceptual architectural designs and 3D visualisations for project feasibility and budgeting.
Preparing detailed architectural designs, technical drawings and construction documentation.
Integrating engineering disciplines into architectural designs.
Preparing and managing council submission documentation, including Site Development Plans (SDPs) and building plans.
Developing and maintaining project specifications.
Coordinating with consultants, contractors and internal stakeholders to support successful project delivery.
Attending site inspections and project progress meetings.
Maintaining and improving the VKB Group Corporate Building Identity.
Developing and maintaining evacuation plans for group facilities.
Managing draughting resources involved in 3D scanning and as-built documentation.
Facilitating applications and approvals for Flammable Liquid Certificates with relevant authorities.
Keeping up to date with architectural industry developments, emerging technologies and best practices.
Promoting sustainable architectural solutions and identifying opportunities to reduce environmental impact.
Ensuring design quality, technical accuracy, regulatory compliance and cost efficiency throughout projects.
Requirements and Qualifications
Educational Qualifications
Applicants must have:
A Master of Architecture (M.Arch).
Professional registration with the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP).
Essential Work Experience
Candidates must have:
A minimum of 8 years’ post-graduation architectural experience.
Proven experience in retail and filling station developments.
Advanced experience with council documentation and submission processes.
Extensive experience in technical detailing and construction documentation.
Experience integrating engineering designs into architectural projects.
Experience managing or leading draughting and technical design teams.
Experience with evacuation planning and regulatory compliance.
Exposure to sustainability initiatives and carbon footprint reduction strategies.
Key Skills and Competencies
The ideal candidate should demonstrate the following technical skills:
Advanced proficiency in Revit Architecture.
Strong 3D visualisation and presentation skills.
Advanced knowledge of building regulations and construction methods.
Knowledge of council submission and approval procedures.
Familiarity with Autodesk ReCap, CloudWorx or similar software.
Proficiency in 3D laser scanning and reality capture technologies.
Experience with point cloud processing and modelling.
Strong technical drawing, detailing and documentation skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication.
Strong report-writing and documentation abilities.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.
Personal and Leadership Competencies
Strategic and analytical thinking.
Problem-solving and decision-making.
Attention to detail.
Planning and organisational skills.
Stakeholder relationship management.
Leadership and team collaboration.
Professional accountability.
Client-focused and results-driven approach.
Adaptability and commitment to continuous improvement.
Required Project Portfolio
Applicants must submit a portfolio in PDF format demonstrating their architectural design, technical documentation and project delivery experience.
The portfolio should ideally include:
Project names and project types.
Your specific role and responsibilities in each project.
Examples of conceptual architectural designs.
Technical drawings and construction documentation.
Experience with council submissions, where applicable.
Retail, commercial and filling station projects, where applicable.
3D visualisations and rendered presentations.
Examples of multidisciplinary coordination, including engineering integration and consultant collaboration.
A well-organised portfolio that clearly demonstrates relevant experience will help showcase the applicant’s technical expertise and suitability for the position.
Benefits and Career Opportunities
The vacancy highlights opportunities to:
Influence the architectural design direction of a nationally recognised agricultural group.
Work on diverse retail, filling station and commercial developments across multiple regions.
Collaborate with engineers, project managers, consultants and operational teams.
Contribute to sustainable construction and environmentally responsible design.
Apply innovative technologies and architectural solutions to large-scale projects.
Work within a values-driven organisation that promotes teamwork, accountability and professional development.