At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead architectural design for secure infrastructure projects in Defence and Government sectors.
- Company: Join a leading firm focused on critical national infrastructure with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £90,000, flexible working options, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to work on innovative, secure projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving design excellence in high-stakes projects.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in architectural design and leadership in complex environments required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Location: Remote | Hybrid/Flexible UK (travel to clients, project sites and office as required)
Salary: Up to £90,000 (DOE)
Sector: Defence / Government / Critical National Infrastructure (CNI)
Security: Must be able to obtain UK SC clearance (DV desirable)
The Opportunity
We're looking for a Design Manager: Head of Architecture to lead and assure architectural design across a portfolio of secure and accredited infrastructure projects supporting Defence, Government and CNI clients. This is a senior leadership position, combining hands-on architectural oversight with team leadership, governance and strategic direction, driving design excellence and continuous improvement across the business.
Reporting to the Head of Operational Delivery (Professional Services), you'll be the principal architectural authority-setting standards, embedding best practice and ensuring all designs are compliant, secure, resilient, commercially sound and deliverable.
What you'll be doing:
- Lead the architectural function, setting design standards, governance, processes and best practice
- Provide strategic and technical leadership across all architectural design activities
- Manage the design process end-to-end (concept through handover) and assure quality, programme and cost
- Coordinate and lead multidisciplinary design teams (architects, engineers, consultants, specialist subcontractors)
- Develop solutions that balance security, resilience, operational needs, budget and delivery constraints
- Lead client-facing design activity including workshops, consultations and presentations
- Support tenders, proposals and business development, providing technical leadership
- Ensure compliance with relevant UK building regulations, planning, H&S and environmental obligations
- Mentor and develop the team, supporting recruitment, capability growth and professional standards/chartership
- Manage design risks, assumptions and dependencies across the project lifecycle
What we're looking for (Essential):
- Significant experience in architectural design + design management within Defence, Government, CNI, secure environments, or similarly complex infrastructure sectors
- Proven leadership of multidisciplinary design teams and delivery of complex projects
- Strong knowledge of secure facility design, resilience and operational infrastructure
- Experience delivering across all RIBA Plan of Work stages
- Strong understanding of UK Building Regulations, planning processes and construction legislation
- Experience managing external consultants and design supply chains
- Leadership and people management capability with excellent stakeholder communication skills
- Commercial awareness-able to balance technical, operational and financial considerations
- Degree in Architecture (or related built environment discipline)
- Chartered Architect (ARB/RIBA) or equivalent
- Full UK Driving Licence
- Ability to obtain and maintain SC clearance (DV desirable)
Desirable:
- Delivery experience for MOD, Government Departments, Defence Primes, or CNI operators
- Knowledge of security accreditation processes and secure estate requirements
- BIM / digital design / Common Data Environments exposure
- Project management qualification (PRINCE2 / APM or equivalent)
- Experience supporting bids/frameworks and business growth activity
Design Manager - Head of Architecture employer: All The Top Bananas
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager - Head of Architecture
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from All The Top Bananas who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager - Head of Architecture
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at All The Top Bananas!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to All The Top Bananas. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at All The Top Bananas
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at All The Top Bananas.
