At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-profile projects and drive the studio’s development in a collaborative environment.
- Company: David Kohn Architects, known for quality design and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, pension scheme, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with excellent career growth and creative freedom.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable architecture and lead innovative civic projects.
- Qualifications: 5-10 years of experience in delivering sustainable mixed-use projects.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Overview
Senior Architect (4-10 years+ post Part 3, leading all RIBA stages) – Ongoing, full-time contract.
Reports to: Director.
Applications by: Ongoing.
Interviews: Ongoing.
Note: Candidates are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible as the position may be filled earlier.
The Role
David Kohn Architects is seeking a senior architect to lead high-profile projects and drive the studio’s development.
The successful candidate will lead the delivery of a major civic project and contribute to the direction of the business.
The Practice
David Kohn Architects, established in 2007, has an international reputation for quality design.
We collaborate with clients, consultants and end users to deliver tailored schemes.
Current projects include new market buildings in Birmingham and refurbishment of a major gallery in Ghent.
Supporting clients in the drive toward carbon-negative futures is an important part of our work.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead project team, stakeholders and consultants on mixed-use development across all RIBA stages, with emphasis on collaborative design and achieving targets.
- Advocate for carbon-negative futures at all stages and benchmark design against targets.
- Build relationships with key clients to ensure continuity and future collaborations.
- Embody and contribute to the studio’s identity and design ethos.
- Work closely with directors and inspire success in others to deliver scope within resources and timeframe.
- Lead and contribute to new business acquisition through bids, design competitions, industry and public engagement.
Experience and Knowledge
- Five to ten years or more of proven experience, including delivering similar sustainable mixed-use projects (retail and public realm) of at least £40m construction value.
- Delivered low carbon / BREEAM excellent or outstanding designs.
- Experience with UK processes and standards.
- Commercially astute with experience delivering projects within constraints such as timescales, cost and internal resource budgets.
- A rigorous approach to brief development, design and materiality, supported by a portfolio of high quality work.
- Strong presentation skills with emphasis on hand sketching.
- Experience working with BIM (Revit).
- Knowledge of architectural history, the work of David Kohn Architects and the practice’s design approach.
Skills
- Confident leader with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to lead teams.
- Highly organized, able to prioritise design team and internal work to meet deadlines under pressure.
- Strong communication of complex issues verbally, in writing, and through drawings and models to different audiences.
- Ability to develop creative solutions addressing stakeholder interests.
- Ability to hand-draw ideas, plans and details in design discussions.
- Understanding physical model-making and ability to direct the team to explore ideas efficiently.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and performance-related bonus.
- Profit share bonus scheme.
- Competitive workplace pension.
- Training (formal and informal).
- Annual office trip.
- Tickets to evening lectures.
- Friday lunches and evening drinks.
How to Apply
- Applications should be made through the practice’s online job board and require:
- Upload a brief cover letter explaining why you are interested and your availability.
- Upload a CV or resume detailing relevant experience and qualifications.
- Provide a link to your online portfolio (up to 10 sides of A4) showing images and drawings of key projects and personal work (link should not be password protected or have an expiration date).
- If offered the position, provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
- We will only correspond with shortlisted candidates.
- Direct applications, no recruitment agencies please.
David Kohn Architects is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Architect • Summer / Winter 2025
✨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 davidkohn 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 Senior Architect • Summer / Winter 2025
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 davidkohn!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to davidkohn. 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 davidkohn
✨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 davidkohn.
