Associate Design Director - Architecture

The client is looking to appoint an Associate Design Director with a strong architectural background. The practice has a legacy of over 40 years and is currently undergoing an EOT process. This is a strategic hire for the future of the practice and the first role of its kind within the company. The studio has a diverse portfolio, including residential projects and small to large-scale schemes across London and the Home Counties. The company culture is hands-on and down-to-earth, with a flat hierarchy, fostering a highly collaborative environment.

This role is suited to an architect with a strong design focus who enjoys client-facing responsibilities and can co-lead an office of 20 architects. You may currently be at Associate or Associate Director level in your current practice but feel you’ve hit a glass ceiling in your career progression.

The successful candidate will initially focus on front-end design, playing a pivotal role in pitches, client interactions, and fostering strong design standards within the team. Those who not only excel in design but can encourage, mentor, and elevate design quality within a team will be best suited to this opportunity. This position offers the potential to take on a leadership role, shaping the design direction, client relationships, and strategic growth of the practice. It is an ideal opportunity for an architect seeking greater responsibility in team management and the eventual leadership of a studio.

Over time, this role will take on business development responsibilities, so architects applying should be comfortable with business strategy, leadership, and work-winning. While this is not a targeted sales role, there is an expectation to bring in projects and contribute to the studio’s long-term growth. Eventually, this will be a residential role; therefore, the client only wants to hear from profiles who have experience winning work and possess the necessary skill set.

Candidates should already be actively networking, attending industry events such as MIPIM, UKREiiF, or participating in design panels or maintaining long-standing industry relationships in their practice. A business plan will be developed in collaboration with the existing director, with a key measure of success being the ability to generate new projects.

The Associate Design Director will be supported by four associates, who are all project runners but are not yet work-winning architects. A candidate who can instil confidence in business development within the team would be highly beneficial and is comfortable with the responsibility of a team and the leadership of a practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Fee-earning responsibilities.
• Develop a network of clients in a complementary sector to the studio.
• Analyze and refine client briefs as part of project-team assembly.
• Lead teams through all project stages, with a focus on early RIBA stages.
• Encourage and nurture design excellence within the studio.
• Develop compelling visual and graphic content for pitches and presentations.
• Participate in strategic decision-making alongside the director and founder.
• Refine and improve business processes to support growth and efficiency.
• Create a succession business plan in collaboration with the current director.

Experience & Skills

• Qualified Architect with UK registration.
• Strong knowledge of all RIBA stages and design processes.
• Experience leading multiple projects through all RIBA stages, ideally in the UK.
• A creative, strategic thinker who can improve processes and project outcomes.
• A hands-on approach with strong attention to detail.
• Experience in business leadership, practice strategy, and team management.
• A strong, confident communicator able to articulate ideas clearly to clients, directors, and teams.
• Agility to work in fast-paced project stages.
• Previous experience working at a senior management level.
• Experience winning work, leading competitions, or developing a client network.

Why Join?

• Step into leadership with an stablished, employee-owned firm.
• Collaborate closely with the founder and director to shape the practice’s future.
• Opportunity to build a client network and lead business development.
• Lead a talented team of architects and associates in an ambitious and design-led practice.
• Co-lead a practice

If you are an experienced Associate or Associate Director looking for your next step into practice leadership, this role offers a unique opportunity to grow within a respected, long-established firm.

The office is based in Shoreditch, the team are 4/5 days in the office and have a strong team culture