At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-performing architectural studio and drive strategic growth in Glasgow.
- Company: Join a leading AJ100 practice with a supportive, employee-owned culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy agile working, private medical cover, and 25 days annual leave plus your birthday off.
- Other info: Centrally located studio with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on meaningful projects while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Strong architectural design experience and proven senior leadership in consultancy.
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.
Apply directly to this advert, or to express interest or request a confidential conversation, contact Graeme at Confero Recruitment Group.
Interim Associate Director (Contract) in Glasgow employer: Confero Recruitment Group
Join a leading AJ100 practice as the Studio Leader in Glasgow, where you will enjoy a supportive, people-focused culture that prioritises professional development and work-life balance. With a majority employee-owned structure, you will have a genuine voice in shaping the future of the business while benefiting from agile working options, comprehensive health coverage, and a commitment to your wellbeing. This role offers not only the chance to lead a high-performing team but also the opportunity for long-term stability and shared success in delivering meaningful architectural projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Associate Director (Contract) in Glasgow
✨Get your portfolio ready!
When applying for that temporary architecture gig, make sure your portfolio is top-notch. Showcase your best projects, even if they were just uni assignments or side hustles. Include visuals and a brief description to show your design process and creativity.
✨Tap into local architecture events
Check out local architecture exhibitions, talks, and meetups. These events are brilliant for networking and you never know who might be looking for temporary help or just has a contact that could lead you to the right opportunity. Plus, it's a great way to stay updated on trends in the field!
✨Leverage temporary recruitment agencies
Consider registering with recruitment agencies that specialise in architecture roles. They often have access to temporary positions that aren’t advertised elsewhere. It's an easy way to find that next role without much fuss, plus they can help you polish your approach!
✨Show up where the architects are
Join online architecture forums or social media groups where professionals share opportunities. Engaging with these communities not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to job leads and collaborations. Don't underestimate the power of a simple message introducing yourself!
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Associate Director (Contract) in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Aesthetics:In the architecture game, your portfolio is your best friend. Make sure it showcases a range of your projects, highlighting both your design skills and technical ability. Don't just list what you've done – tell a story behind your designs, and show us how you think spatially!
Emphasise Collaborative Projects:Since this is a temporary role, showing you can work well with others is key. Highlight any collaborative projects in your CV or cover letter. Let us see how you’ve contributed in team settings – we want to know that you can hit the ground running alongside our crew at Confero Recruitment Group.
Tailor Your Application for the Short Term:For temporary gigs, focus on your flexibility and how quickly you adapt to new environments. In your cover letter, mention your eagerness to learn and contribute immediately. We want to see that you’re ready to bring your skills to Confero Recruitment Group without needing a long onboarding process!
Stay Up-to-Date with Trends:Architecture is constantly evolving, so make sure your application reflects your awareness of current design trends, software tools, and sustainable practices. Mention any relevant certifications or courses you've taken recently – it shows that you're serious about staying on top of your game for that temporary role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Confero Recruitment Group
✨Showcase Your Creative Portfolio
When interviewing for a temporary role in architecture, it’s crucial that we bring along a strong portfolio that highlights our best projects. Make sure to include a variety of work that showcases your design skills, technical drawings, and even any 3D models or visualisations. This will help the interviewers at Confero Recruitment Group see your creative process and your ability to tackle different challenges in architectural design.
✨Brush Up on Software Skills
Be prepared to answer questions about architectural software like AutoCAD, Revit, or SketchUp, since many firms, including Confero Recruitment Group, heavily rely on these tools. If possible, brush up on your skills with quick tutorials beforehand, and be ready to discuss how you used these tools in past projects. This shows that you’re not just a pretty face but also technically savvy!
✨Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability
Temporary roles often require us to jump into projects mid-flow, so highlight experiences where you've quickly adapted to new teams or changing project scopes. Talk about your problem-solving strategies and how you handle unexpected challenges — this will show Confero Recruitment Group that you can seamlessly integrate into their ongoing work without missing a beat.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your critical thinking and design choices in real-time. Practice answers where you explain how you would approach specific architectural challenges or collaborate with different stakeholders. This will not only demonstrate our thought process but also show how we can contribute meaningfully to the team at Confero Recruitment Group from day one.
