At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and build a new Industrial and Logistics division from the ground up.
- Company: Join an AJ100 multidisciplinary practice with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, equity opportunities, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Dynamic role with clear progression to board level and a transparent culture.
- Why this job: Own your division and make a real impact in a growing sector.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in industrial and logistics architecture; ARB or RIBA registered.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 100000 £ per year.
- Sector Leader, Industrial and Logistics
- Equivalent to Associate Director / Director level
- Birmingham | Hybrid, 3 days in studio
Salary
circa £70,000 to £100,000 depending on experience and what you bring with you, plus performance bonus and a genuine route to equity
Build your own division. Keep the safety net.
Most architects who want to run something end up with a choice: stay where you are and wait, or go out on your own and carry the risk yourself.
This is the third option.
An AJ100 multidisciplinary practice is launching a dedicated Industrial and Logistics division, and they are hiring the person who will own it.
Not inherit it.
Not join it.
Own it, from a standing start, with the brand, the balance sheet and the client relationships of an established practice behind you.
As the founding director of the business put it: this is the benefit of starting your own business up without the risk of it and the pressure of it.
An umbrella over your head, and a real commitment to making it work.
In his words, it is not a short term thing where we give it six months and see what happens.
What is already on the table
The groundwork is done. What is missing is you.
- The relationships already exist.
The board level sponsor for this division has spent months building contacts across the sector and is currently holding meetings back because he does not want to walk into a room without the right person alongside him.
Those introductions are waiting for your first week, not your first year.
- Clients are asking. Feasibility work has been discussed and informally agreed with several developers on a \"do a good job and the pipeline follows\" basis.
- The market is moving in one direction.
Ecommerce expansion, the government's defence spending commitment feeding manufacturing and construction, data centres, and continual expansion from large operators.
Meanwhile the pool of architectural practices genuinely credible in this sector is small.
- You are not doing it alone. Planning, technical and quantity surveying disciplines sit in house alongside you, and a team will be built around you as the division grows.
- You report directly to a business owner and board director, working with him daily. Not through three layers of management.
- What you would actually be doing
This is a hands on leadership role, and it needs to be.
To start with you will be doing the work as well as winning it: feasibility layouts, master planning on sites ranging from a few acres to a hundred, fee proposals, and technical delivery through to construction information.
Over time you build the team, train people up, and work your way out of the drawing so you can spend more time in front of clients.
You will also be the one deciding how this division runs.
Processes, templates, standards, how work is priced, how the sector is presented to the market.
There is a portfolio to build on but very little structure around this sector yet.
That is deliberate.
It is yours to design.
- Who this is for
- An architect (ARB or RIBA registered) or a properly qualified architectural technician (CIAT) with strong technical credentials.
Architects preferred, given the design pressure now coming through planning on large box schemes.
- Around 10 years or more of experience, the large majority of it genuinely immersed in industrial and logistics.
This is the one non negotiable.
Deep sector experience is essential.
- Real experience across MLI (multi let industrial) and mid box, roughly 50,000 to 100,000 square feet.
Big box or mega box exposure is a bonus.
You know yard depths, bay counts, parking ratios and mezzanines without looking them up.
- Currently at associate, senior associate or associate director level, or a director in a smaller practice who is still close to the work.
Likely coming from a recognised specialist in this sector.
- Comfortable being the person a developer or investor interviews.
You will be in front of business owners who have been doing this for 25 years, and they will decide within one meeting whether they trust you.
- Commercially aware. You can build and defend a fee, and you understand where fees sit in this market.
- Auto CAD and Revit. Training is available if one is stronger than the other.
Personality matters as much as the CV here.
The practice is looking for someone calm, personable and able to read a room.
Someone resilient, ambitious, reliable, and who leads with a can do attitude rather than a reason why not.
Someone who can mentor and grow a team, not just deliver through one.
Confidence and self direction are essential, because for the first stretch you are building rather than maintaining.
This will not suit someone who wants a ready made desk and a full order book on day one.
- What you get
- Salary in the region of £70,000 to £100,000, set against your experience and the value you bring. The upper end is realistic for someone arriving with a work stream behind them.
- Performance related bonus, weighted towards the people actually driving results rather than spread thinly across everyone.
- A structured route to equity.
The practice operates an EMI share scheme and has already brought people below director level into it.
Ownership is on the table for whoever makes this division succeed.
- Progression into the board. The business is actively building its board and its service director tier, and success here is the obvious route in.
- Hybrid working, 3 days in studio, with flexibility on start and finish times.
- A transparent culture with regular feedback, full company gatherings, research and learning groups, a social calendar, and an early finish on a Friday.
- Assessment based on what you do, not what you say.
The honest version...
The perfect candidate for this probably has a comfortable job right now.
The reason to look at this one is that very few opportunities let you build a division from nothing, put your name on it, and take a share of what you create, while someone else carries the overhead and opens the first doors for you.
If that is the thing you have been waiting for, this is it.
I’m interested, what next?
Option 1 - Click the apply button (don’t worry, we’ll discuss your application before submission)
- Option 2 – Drop me a message on Linked In (Louis Plevin)
- Option 3 - email the team at
Architectural Director / Associate Director in Birmingham employer: Lofthouse Group
Lofthouse Group is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative work culture, encouraging creativity and innovation in design-led projects that make a real social impact. With a strong focus on professional development, employees are provided with ample opportunities to grow their skills while working on diverse projects across education and culture in a vibrant location. Joining Lofthouse Group means being part of a team that values sustainability and community engagement, making your work both meaningful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Architectural Director / Associate Director in Birmingham
✨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 Lofthouse Group 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 Architectural Director / Associate Director in Birmingham
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 Lofthouse Group!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Lofthouse Group. 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 Lofthouse Group
✨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 Lofthouse Group.
