Architectural Designer

We are seeking an Interior Technical Designer to work on an array of projects for our clients, inserting themselves into the heart of not only Retail Design Solutions, living our company values and goals, but the clients we work with. You will work in the design department, working to client deadlines, adding your knowledge and expertise and maintaining our high company drawing standards. You will work closely with your line manager to make sure the wider company targets are being delivered and support with building not only existing client relationships but making sure new client business is built with the right foundations. You must have great communication skills and be a highly organised individual with a strong demonstrated background in detailed design packs and planning, along with a creative eye for interiors within the commercial world, with a visionary mind and looking to support with the continued growth of a design department.

Our story: We are a family run business who recently celebrated our 27th birthday! RDS are one of the leading design and survey agencies in the UK who are proud to have supported many well-known clients since 1998 working across various sectors and different countries. Working on sites in various locations including high streets, shopping centres, retail parks, train stations, petrol stations, airports, and universities. Team RDS is only as good as its people, and with around 40 people in the RDS team, no matter what discipline you have, and our clients require, RDS works as a team to deliver first class solutions for our clients and pride ourselves on relationships built over our 27 years in the industry.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Produce Concept Designs, Feasibility layouts, Detailed Design and Construction packs, Planning applications and change of usage documentation across various clients and using various software dictated to by client brief.
• You must have a good understanding of building regulations and an understanding of commercial/retail spaces.
• Be able to complete technical drawings with annotations referring to detailed design and construction requirements that achieve compliancy.
• Collaborate with external architects, engineers, and project managers to ensure accurate representation of design intent.
• Ensure that high quality standards are met throughout work delivered.
• Ensure deadlines are met through resource planning and clear management of the departments time with your line manager.
• Build strong relationships with clients to ensure good working relationships and continued workstreams.
• Build strong internal relationships to continue good team moral and company culture.
• Work with your line manager to identify risks and manage these efficiently.
• Attending client meetings when required.

Team:

• Liaise with key internal management, Account Managers, Operations, Finance and Marketing to ensure effective client service is maintained.
• Building relationships with our clients in various sectors, for their required projects/workstreams, to work with brands, both within our current client base, and within the client base of the future.
• Integrate into the wider team and play a pivotal role in motivating the team, and work with your line manager to manage deadlines.
• Work closely with the account managers and operations to ensure the business is meeting client expectations and deadlines.

Skillset:

• Experience with relationship building.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking ability.
• Good problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication skills.
• Experience in Revit is a plus but not essential.
• Creative individual with a good eye for detail within the interior sector.
• Proficient in AutoCAD.
• Proficient in Sketchup.
• Proficient in Adobe creative suites.
• Experience in 3D laser scanning/drawing from point clouds is a plus but not essential.
• Design background in detailed design packs is essential.
• Construction knowledge is a plus.
• Undergone CDM training (principal designer) is a plus.
• Proficient in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Part II qualified architect is a plus.

General:

• Provide general support to management by being flexible.
• Maintain a positive work atmosphere by communicating, collaborating with clients, colleagues, and management.
• Living company values through your day-to-day job role and approach to embody this within your team.
• Fulfil company policies.
• Participate in all essential and required training to carry out your role efficiently.
• Participate in and attend department or company meetings as required.
• Support on managing workload trackers and invoicing sheets.

Company Benefits:

• 20 days holiday (plus bank holidays) you accrue an additional day with every year of service up to 5 years.
• Good company pension scheme.
• Team social funds.
• Death in service (4x salary).
• Free parking on site.
• Hybrid working 2 days a week.
• Specsavers Eyecare e-voucher enabling you to get a free eye test and one pair of glasses from the £49 range or use it to upgrade to other frames.
• You could also get an extra £20 vouchers contribution, when glasses are selected from the £99 range.
• You would also be able to request up to 2x £20 vouchers per year for your family against glasses they purchase from the £99 range.

Location and Hours:

• Earls Colne, Essex - office based for 3 days a week, so must be within travelling distance.
• Monday- Thursday 8.30-5pm, Friday 8.30-4.30pm (39.5hrs a week).

If the job description resonates with you but you don’t meet all the requirements, we encourage you to apply as we would be interested to hear from you and discuss what you could bring to the table here at Retail Design Solutions. If you would like a confidential chat about this role or your next career move, then please get in touch on rebecca@retaildesignsolutions.com with your CV, Cover Letter and Portfolio (if available).