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- Tasks: Lead design direction and mentor project leads on bespoke residential projects.
- Company: Acre Design, a growing firm specialising in luxury home extensions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, and strong career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy autonomy and support from a talented technical team.
- Why this job: Take ownership of projects and influence design outcomes with real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in UK residential projects and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
£50,000 - £70,000 plus performance bonus (Title flexible for the right person)
Most architectural roles keep you in a defined lane. You contribute, but rarely lead. You design, but don’t always influence the bigger picture. This is not one of them.
At Acre Design, you will play a leading role in shaping bespoke residential projects. You will be involved from the earliest conversations, helping define design direction, guiding clients, and supporting the team to deliver strong outcomes. You will take ownership of key projects, while also mentoring and supporting others across the studio. This is about leading design, influencing decisions, and driving projects forward, not just working in isolation.
This role is for someone who is equally creative and driven. Someone who enjoys design, but also wants more influence, more responsibility, and a bigger role in how projects and the business perform. It suits someone ready to step up. Someone who does not just want to be an architect, but wants to help lead projects, support a team, and grow into a senior position with real impact. If you are looking for more autonomy, more flexibility, and a genuine step forward in your career, this is it.
ABOUT ACRE DESIGN
Acre Design specialises in bespoke and luxury home extensions and refurbishments for private clients across the North East. We do not produce generic schemes. We work closely with clients to explore layouts, materials and form, creating homes that feel considered, personal, and better than the sum of their parts. From first conversation through planning, technical design and construction support, we guide clients through the entire process with clarity and confidence. We are growing and building a team that can deliver exceptional work without constant oversight.
THE ROLE
This is a senior, client-facing leadership role focused on design direction, project oversight, and team support. You will lead key projects directly, while also mentoring project leads and guiding work across the studio. You will work closely with clients, shape design outcomes, and ensure projects move forward with clarity and confidence. This role sits between design leadership, client relationship, and business performance. It is for someone ready to step up and take responsibility beyond their own projects.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- Lead design direction across multiple projects, not just your own
- Develop and test creative options, not just single solutions
- Mentor and support project leads, stepping in where needed to guide direction and resolve issues
- Build strong relationships with clients and guide them through key decisions
- Run key projects independently and make clear, confident decisions
- Act as the main point of contact for clients and create a high-quality experience
- Identify and resolve issues early, including managing more complex or sensitive situations
- Liaise with planning officers and navigate approvals proactively
- Keep projects moving and maintain momentum across all stages
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- Strong experience delivering UK residential projects such as extensions or one-off homes
- Excellent understanding of planning policy
- A natural communicator who builds trust quickly and handles conversations with ease
- A strong design instinct and ability to explore ideas, not just deliver solutions
- Confidence leading projects, people, and conversations
- Decisive and proactive, comfortable taking ownership and making calls
- Commercial awareness and interest in how projects and the business perform
- Comfortable managing a small team and taking responsibility for outcomes
WHAT THIS IS NOT
- Not for someone who finds it difficult to lead conversations or take control of meetings
- Not a back-office role producing drawings all day
- Not a role where you wait for instructions or constant sign-off
- Not for someone who avoids responsibility for decisions or team direction
THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO THRIVES HERE
- Enjoys leading both design and people
- Takes ownership and drives projects forward
- Builds trust and long-term relationships with clients
- Makes decisions confidently and stands behind them
- Balances creativity with commercial awareness
- Spots problems early and deals with them directly
- Wants a senior role with real responsibility and influence
WHY JOIN ACRE
- High level of autonomy and ownership
- Strong pipeline of high-quality residential projects
- Support from an in-house technical team with advanced Revit capability
- Clear processes without unnecessary meetings or micromanagement
- Performance-related pay alongside a strong base salary
- Genuine opportunity to grow into a senior leadership role
HEAD OF DESIGN / SENIOR PROJECT ARCHITECT employer: Acre Design
Contact Detail:
Acre Design Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HEAD OF DESIGN / SENIOR PROJECT ARCHITECT
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks at events or online. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your designs do the talking.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their vision and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace HEAD OF DESIGN / SENIOR PROJECT ARCHITECT
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Creative Side: When you're writing your application, let your creativity shine through! We want to see how you think outside the box and approach design challenges. Share examples of your past projects that highlight your unique design instincts.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for the Head of Design role. Highlight your experience with bespoke residential projects and how you've influenced design direction in previous roles. This will show us you're the right fit for our team!
Be Confident and Decisive: In your written application, convey your confidence in leading projects and making decisions. We’re looking for someone who takes ownership, so don’t shy away from showcasing your leadership skills and how you've successfully managed teams or projects.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures it gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining Acre Design!
How to prepare for a job interview at Acre Design
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with your past projects and how they relate to the role. Be ready to discuss specific design decisions you made, challenges you faced, and how you led your team to success. This will show your potential employer that you can take ownership and drive projects forward.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role is all about leading design and mentoring others, prepare examples of how you've successfully guided teams in the past. Think about times when you resolved conflicts or made decisive calls that positively impacted a project. This will demonstrate your ability to lead and influence decisions.
✨Build Rapport with Clients
A key part of the job is building strong relationships with clients. During the interview, share experiences where you effectively communicated with clients and helped them navigate important decisions. Highlight your natural communication skills and how you build trust quickly, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Be Proactive and Decisive
The interviewers will be looking for someone who is comfortable taking ownership and making decisions. Prepare to discuss situations where you identified issues early and took action to resolve them. Show them that you’re not just a creative thinker but also someone who can balance creativity with commercial awareness.