Associate Designer

SOM is looking for an associate designer to join its team in London. SOM London is looking for a hands-on associate designer with eight-plus years’ experience to lead design on large, complex projects from first principles through schematic design. Design direction at SOM evolves collaboratively – the role is to recognise where it’s going, sharpen it, and hold the cadence that keeps teams moving with clarity and consistency. This is a senior studio role built around staying close to the work and leading through the design itself. It is not a design management role.

The role:

• Lead and sustain design direction on large, complex projects from first principles through schematic design.
• Recognise and strengthen emerging design ideas, and help test and communicate them.
• Set the cadence across teams with clarity, momentum and consistency.
• Lead teams and workstreams while staying hands-on in the design itself.
• Build design narratives connecting concept, context, programme, structure, material and experience.
• Shape presentations with a strong editorial eye and persuasive visual storytelling.
• Translate design ambition into coherent spatial, structural, environmental and material strategies.
• Guide senior clients and collaborators through complex design decisions.
• Lead interdisciplinary reviews and maintain design quality.
• Work closely with clients, consultants and SOM’s global studios.
• Mentor designers and contribute to studio culture.
• Contribute to competitions, pitches and new business.
• Help shape the wider creative direction of SOM London.

Experience:

• At least eight years leading architectural design.
• A clear record of developing concepts for large, complex projects through schematic design.
• Experience leading teams, projects or significant design workstreams.
• Strong judgement across form, programme, structure, material, environmental performance and context.
• Ability to turn complex ideas into clear narratives and presentations.
• Experience advising senior clients and guiding interdisciplinary teams.
• A record of mentoring designers and contributing positively to studio culture.
• Professional registration mandatory.

Should clearly identify your individual contributions and show design leadership through a project’s development from concept to schematic design. Final renders or completed project photography alone won’t be enough. You’ll help shape major international projects, working alongside leading architects and engineers, and contribute to the continued growth of the London studio.

Why SOM London:

SOM London is a design-led studio working across disciplines, cultures and project types. We are inter-disciplinary and work independently in the UK, Europe, India and the Middle East. The role offers the opportunity to join a thriving studio with a rich culture, shape major projects, work with leading architects and engineers and build a distinct design voice within a global practice.