At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design technology strategy and AI adoption to enhance architectural practices.
- Company: Globally respected design studio focused on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, benefits package, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on long-term performance and change.
- Why this job: Shape the future of architecture with cutting-edge technology and meaningful impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in architectural project delivery and leadership in design technology.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About Us
Join a globally fluent studio where diverse perspectives, rigorous thinking and partner-led collaboration shape work that responds to a changing world. Our approach is context-driven and focused on long-term performance and meaningful change, supported by our in-house research and strategy consultancy, PLP Labs. We believe architecture should connect people, place and purpose, guided by a clear understanding of climate, culture and patterns of use. From our headquarters in London, and studios in Singapore and Tokyo, we shape outcomes through informed decisions grounded in behaviour and lasting value.
Position
We are seeking a Director of Design Technology to provide clear leadership, structure, and vision across design technology, AI adoption, and digital workflows. This is a senior, practice‐shaping role. The successful candidate will bridge architecture, technology, and business, working alongside Partners, Design Directors, IT, and Operations to ensure technology meaningfully improves how PLP designs, delivers, and operates — not as isolated innovation, but as standard practice. This role is based in our London studio and will play a key part in shaping PLP’s global digital strategy.
You will be accountable for:
- Design Technology strategy across the practice
- Firmwide AI and automation adoption
- Integration between design teams, IT, and business systems
- Ensuring technology investment delivers measurable value
- Lead sustainability and environmental software adoption
- Generate and manage the IT budget
You will not be a support role or technical specialist working in isolation — this role is about leadership, scaling, and adoption. Integration of business systems may be less pertinent for this role.
Key Responsibilities
- Design Technology Leadership & Strategy
- Define and communicate a clear firmwide design technology strategy
- Establish standards, priorities, and roadmaps for BIM, computational design, AI, and digital workflows
- Act as the senior point of authority for design‐related technology decisions
- Ensure consistency and quality across projects and studios
- AI & Automation (Design and Operations)
- Lead structured, responsible adoption of AI across:
- Concept and competition work
- Design development and documentation
- Visualisation and storytelling
- Business operations (bids, reporting, forecasting)
- Move AI from experimental silos to scalable capability
- Define AI usage policies, governance, and approved platforms
- Ensure security, ethics, and compliance are embedded from the outset
- Integration with IT & Cloud‐First Systems
- Work closely with IT to align design needs with PLP’s cloud‐first technology strategy
- Help shape how design tools, data, and workflows sit within modern cloud infrastructure
- Ensure technology decisions support:
- Mobility and flexibility
- Security and resilience
- Integration with finance, HR, and CRM systems
- Act as a bridge between creative teams and technical infrastructure
- Design Delivery, Skills & Adoption
- Embed design technologists and hybrid architect‐technologists into project teams
- Reduce dependence on individual “experts” and hero knowledge
- Strengthen Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper and any new related software core delivery competency across the practice
- Support consistent onboarding, upskilling, and mentoring
- Build adoption plans that translate new tools and workflows into consistent project delivery
- Develop consistent training and upskilling strategies
- Knowledge Sharing & Communication
- Create mechanisms to capture and share:
- Successful workflows
- Lessons learned
- Reusable tools and approaches
- Ensure technology innovation is visible, understood, and accessible to the whole practice
- Support PLP Labs by connecting research, experimentation, and live project delivery
- Measurement & Value
- Define KPIs to measure the impact of technology on:
- Design quality
- Speed and efficiency
- Risk reduction
- Business performance
- Help leadership understand where technology investment creates real value
- Develop and manage the DT annual budget (software, external resources, training, conferences, etc.)
Attitude & Culture Fit
You are likely an architect‐technologist or design technology leader with:
- Architectural project delivery experience
- Proven leadership in design technology or computational design
- Strong understanding of tools such as Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, and emerging AI workflows
- Experience scaling technology adoption across teams — not just developing tools
- The ability to speak credibly with Partners, architects, and IT professionals
- A strategic mindset paired with pragmatic delivery
You are comfortable operating at both:
- Board / Partner level, and
- Project / studio level
What This Role Is (and Is Not)
Is
- A leadership role with authority and influence
- Focused on scaling, adoption, and value
- Central to PLP’s future practice
Is Not
- A pure AI research role
- A BIM coordinator position
- An IT support function
Details
- Shape the digital future of a globally respected design practice
- Work directly with senior leadership on practice‐wide strategy
- Influence how architecture is designed and delivered in the AI era
- Combine design excellence, sustainability, and technology at scale
- Competitive salary and benefits package
Director of Design Technology London, UK Digital Technology employer: Plp Architecture Ltd
At PLP Architecture, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that values diverse perspectives and encourages professional growth. As a Director of Design Technology based in our vibrant London studio, you will have the unique opportunity to shape our global digital strategy while working alongside industry leaders in a supportive environment that prioritises sustainability and meaningful change. With competitive salaries and a commitment to employee development, PLP is an excellent employer for those looking to make a significant impact in the field of architecture and technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Design Technology London, UK Digital Technology
✨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 Plp Architecture Ltd 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 Director of Design Technology London, UK Digital Technology
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 Plp Architecture Ltd!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Plp Architecture Ltd. 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 Plp Architecture Ltd
✨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 Plp Architecture Ltd.
