At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-performing architectural team and oversee project delivery in Glasgow.
- Company: Join a leading AJ100 practice with a supportive, people-focused culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy agile working, private medical cover, and 25 days annual leave plus your birthday off.
- Other info: Be part of a majority employee-owned firm offering long-term stability and growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of architecture while making a real impact on meaningful projects.
- Qualifications: Strong architectural design experience and proven leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
A leading AJ100 practice is seeking a new Studio Leader to head up its Glasgow office. This is a rare opportunity to take full ownership of a high‑performing team within a nationally recognised consultancy known for delivering complex, meaningful projects across Education, Regeneration, Retail, Sports & Leisure, Infrastructure and more. The practice has been established for over 100 years, operates across multiple UK studios, and is majority employee‑owned, giving its leaders genuine influence, long‑term stability and a voice in shaping the future of the business.
This role is ideal for a commercially minded, strategically driven Associate/Associate Director level Architect who thrives on leadership, work winning and operational excellence.
The Opportunity
As Studio Leader, you will be responsible for the commercial performance, strategic growth and operational leadership of the Glasgow studio. You’ll balance hands‑on project involvement with high‑level leadership, ensuring the studio delivers exceptional design quality, technical rigour and profitable outcomes. You will sit on the Operations Board, contributing directly to business strategy, regional growth and long‑term direction.
Key Responsibilities
- Sales, Work Winning & Client Development: Lead and personally contribute to business development and client engagement. Build and convert a strong pipeline of profitable opportunities. Prepare and negotiate fee proposals, appointments and contracts. Represent the practice at industry events and networking forums. Develop long‑term client and partner relationships to support sustainable growth.
- Delivery & Operational Leadership: Oversee the delivery of high‑quality architectural and consultancy services. Ensure design excellence, technical robustness and strong quality assurance. Maintain an active fee‑earning role, contributing to project delivery and client work. Support project teams at critical stages, ensuring programme, quality and commercial targets are met. Lead monthly WIP reviews and monitor studio‑wide performance.
- Financial & Commercial Management: Hold full accountability for studio P&L performance. Manage budgeting, forecasting, utilisation, fee recovery and resource planning. Monitor commercial risks and operational efficiency.
- Leadership, Culture & People: Build, mentor and develop a high‑performing, commercially aware team. Set clear expectations around accountability, professionalism and delivery. Lead recruitment, succession planning and team development. Champion a positive, inclusive and ambitious studio culture.
About You
You will bring:
- Strong architectural design and technical delivery experience within a consultancy environment.
- Proven senior leadership experience in architecture, engineering or design.
- A track record of work winning, client development and profitable project delivery.
- Strong commercial acumen and experience managing P&L performance.
- Strategic leadership capability with excellent decision‑making and stakeholder management skills.
- The ability to balance leadership responsibilities with ongoing project involvement.
- A proactive, ambitious and accountable approach to studio leadership.
- Strong understanding of quality assurance, governance and risk management.
Why Join?
This practice offers a genuinely supportive, people‑focused culture with a strong emphasis on professional development, wellbeing and work‑life balance. Benefits include:
- Agile working (2 days WFH)
- Private medical cover
- Life assurance
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + your birthday off
- Enhanced maternity & paternity
- Professional membership fees paid
- Salary sacrifice pension
- Cycle to Work & Electric Car schemes
- Eye care vouchers
- £1,000 employee referral scheme
- Majority employee‑owned structure offering long‑term stability and shared success
The Glasgow studio is centrally located in Glasgow, a short walk from both Central and Queen Street.
Associate Director - Architecture in Bishopton employer: Confero Recruitment Group
Join a leading AJ100 practice in Glasgow, where you will have the opportunity to lead a high-performing team within a supportive, people-focused culture that prioritises professional development and work-life balance. With a majority employee-owned structure, you will enjoy long-term stability and shared success, alongside benefits such as agile working, private medical cover, and generous leave policies. This role not only allows for significant influence in shaping the future of the business but also offers a chance to engage in meaningful projects across various sectors, making it an ideal environment for ambitious leaders in architecture.
