At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex architectural projects, guiding teams from vision to execution.
- Company: Join a design-led studio that prioritises people and the planet.
- Benefits: Enjoy mentorship, career progression, and diverse learning opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on creativity and community.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on meaningful projects while shaping your own path.
- Qualifications: 8+ years post-RIBA Part 3 experience and strong design leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
As a Project Leader, you will be accountable for the direction, quality, and delivery of complex architectural projects. You will bring together creativity, technical clarity, and strategic foresight - translating vision into execution, and guiding multidisciplinary teams through every stage of the process. You lead with intent - managing risk, relationships, and resources - while keeping design excellence at the core. You mentor others, manage clients and consultants, and ensure that projects deliver on ambition, quality, and value. You help shape the studio by setting high standards, asking the right questions, and contributing to culture, systems, and strategy.
What we’re looking for:
- 8+ years’ experience post-RIBA Part 3 qualification, or equivalent professional registration, from a recognised school of architecture
- An accomplished design leader with strong conceptual clarity and technical authority
- Proven experience leading projects from inception through delivery, setting direction and maintaining design excellence across all stages
- The ability to oversee and coordinate complex design packages with strategic oversight, ensuring consistency, quality, and buildability
- Extensive experience guiding the production of detailed construction documentation, specifications, and schedules, with responsibility for technical sign-off
- Advanced knowledge of codes, regulations, and contract requirements
- Skill in coordinating and refining material, product, and system selections with performance and sustainability in mind
- Demonstrated ability in leading multidisciplinary consultant teams, safeguarding design intent while driving coordination and resolution
- A strong understanding of scope, programme, fees, and risk; able to balance creative ambition with commercial and contractual realities
- Ability to bring creativity and curiosity to complex problems - advancing ideas through both vision and detail
- Team players who bring curiosity, initiative, and care to their work
- People who want their work to matter - to others, and to the world around them
- A flexible and open-minded attitude towards new ways of working
- A track record of mentoring others and contributing to a growth-focused culture
- Confidence representing the practice externally - in meetings, presentations, and through ongoing client relationships
- Strong skills in Revit, Rhino, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, and visualisation tools (V-Ray/Enscape)
- Fluency in written and spoken English (additional languages a bonus)
Key responsibilities:
- Design and Creative Thinking: Lead design development across all phases - aligning concept, context, and client vision
- Translate ideas into well-articulated drawings, models, and presentations that drive decision-making
- Balance design quality with programme and budget - adapting and refining as projects evolve
- Use visual storytelling and communication tools to engage clients, communities, and collaborators
- Guide technical design decisions that preserve creative intent while meeting performance targets
- Project Delivery and Technical Coordination: Lead the production of coordinated, high-quality documentation across all stages
- Coordinate effectively across disciplines - architecture, interiors, landscape, and external consultants
- Navigate planning, accessibility, and regulatory requirements confidently
- Lead construction administration, including site observations, RFIs, submittals, and close-out activities
- Apply deep technical knowledge and building system expertise to resolve challenges proactively
- Ensure delivery aligns with design intent, budget, contract scope, and client expectations
- Studio Culture and Team Contribution: Manage and support individuals and project teams - fostering collaboration and clarity
- Provide clear direction, feedback, and opportunities for growth
- Model a healthy and productive project culture - balancing design ambition with care for the people delivering it
- Promote a studio culture of shared responsibility, inclusion, and continuous learning
- Demonstrate excellent judgement in internal and external contexts
- Build trusted client relationships and take an active role in business development
- Client and Consultant Engagement: Serve as a primary point of contact - building trust through clarity, responsiveness, and confidence
- Lead project meetings and communications with clients, contractors, and collaborators
- Engage with clients to understand their needs, priorities, and challenges
- Help generate new opportunities and contribute to repeat business
- Business Development and Studio Representation: Lead proposals and pitches - shaping strategy, teams, and deliverables
- Build and maintain strong client relationships to support repeat business and referrals
- Represent the studio confidently in external forums, helping raise its profile and attract new work
- Take ownership of assigned pursuits from go/no-go through submission and debrief - leading planning, scheduling, and deliverables
- Track and maintain accurate pursuit information in Pipeline (Hub), communicating updates and opportunities to studio leadership and marketing
- Project and Commercial Management: Define and monitor project scopes, schedules, and deliverables from kick-off to close-out
- Plan and monitor workstreams, staffing, fees, and resources - adapting as needed
- Manage risk, ensure compliance, and track performance across all aspects of project delivery
- Ensure QA/QC processes are applied consistently, from early design through construction
- Digital Delivery and Process Management: Lead BIM deliverables and digital workflows in alignment with firm standards
- Oversee project data, documentation, and platforms (e.g. Hub, PMTK, SharePoint, BIM360)
- Drive the use of digital tools to streamline collaboration, coordination, and quality
- Understand and manage version control, issue sheets, revision logs, and digital archives
Core Capabilities:
- Leads all phases of project development with design integrity and technical confidence
- Manages team coordination, design direction, and detailed delivery
- Navigates risk, regulatory processes, and complex stakeholder environments
- Applies deep knowledge of materials, systems, legislation, and construction methods
- Develops project-specific strategies that align with client goals and broader sustainability values
- Mentors and supports others while delivering at a consistently high standard
- Manages documentation, contracts, and compliance with clarity and foresight
- Leads project administration, close-out, and performance tracking
- Builds client trust and supports business generation alongside project delivery
- Demonstrates excellent judgement in internal and external contexts
Tools and Technologies:
- Advanced Revit - for documentation and coordination at a leadership level
- Rhino + Grasshopper - for concept development and generative design
- Adobe Creative Suite - for design communication and presentation
- Enscape + V-Ray - for visualisation and stakeholder engagement
- Microsoft Office - for project management and reporting
- Ladybug, Climate Studio - for performance-led design decisions
- Hub + PMTK - for project planning, documentation, and process oversight
- 3D printing / Laser cutting - for prototyping and communication
- 4Projects, Aconex - contractor document management systems
What you’ll find here:
- A design-led studio that puts people and planet first
- A friendly, diverse and ambitious team
- A collaborative, supportive environment where good ideas grow
- Projects with purpose, depth, and complexity
- Mentorship, progression, and space to shape your own path
- A culture that values imagination, rigour, and making things real
- Opportunities to represent the studio externally and build trusted client relationships
- A belief that good ideas come from everywhere – and that diverse voices make better work
- A strong sense of community where everyone feels they belong
- Access to a wide variety of learning, training, and development opportunities, including financial support for study and membership fees
Perkins&Will is an equal opportunity employer and supports talent from diverse backgrounds that bring experiences, viewpoints and solutions that best serve our clients, community and enrich our work environment.
Project Leader employer: Perkins&Will
At Perkins&Will, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that prioritises creativity and sustainability. Our Project Leaders benefit from extensive mentorship opportunities, a diverse team environment, and the chance to work on meaningful projects that make a positive impact on communities and the planet. Located in a vibrant city, our studio fosters professional growth and encourages innovative thinking, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to shape their own career path.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Leader
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues or mentors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work and showcases your design process. Use platforms like Behance or even your own website to make it easy for potential employers to see what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Practice common interview questions and think about how you can demonstrate your leadership and technical skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our studio culture. So, go ahead and hit that apply button!
We think you need these skills to ace Project Leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for architecture and design shine through. We want to see how your creativity and vision align with our studio's values and projects.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in leading complex projects. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage teams and deliver high-quality results.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, making it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the Project Leader role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Perkins&Will
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the projects you've led in the past. Be ready to discuss your role, the challenges you faced, and how you ensured design excellence throughout. This will show your depth of experience and ability to manage complex architectural projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Project Leader, your ability to mentor and guide teams is crucial. Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style, how you foster collaboration, and how you handle conflicts within multidisciplinary teams. This will demonstrate your capability to manage relationships effectively.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Technical Knowledge
Brush up on your technical skills, especially in tools like Revit, Rhino, and Adobe Creative Suite. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied these tools in past projects, particularly in producing high-quality documentation and ensuring compliance with codes and regulations.
✨Engage with Their Vision
Research the studio's recent projects and their design philosophy. During the interview, engage with their vision by discussing how your values align with theirs. This shows that you're not just looking for any job, but that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their culture and goals.
