At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow the Design service, shaping creative direction and mentoring teams.
- Company: Award-winning property business with a strong reputation and collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 30 days leave, private medical insurance, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team focused on innovation and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on prestigious projects while driving growth in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and experience at Associate Director or Director level.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Design Director
I'm working with an award-winning national property business who is going through an exciting period of growth, to find a Design Director for their Bristol office.
They have a strong reputation across England and Wales and a clear focus on investing in its people.
Its planning and design consultancy is one of the leading practices in the UK, working with landowners, land promoters, housebuilders and private clients on complex and prestigious projects across the country.
The Design team is a RIBA Chartered Practice with a creative, dynamic and collaborative culture.
- The Package
- Competitive base salary and benefits package.
- Proven opportunities for career growth and advancement.
- Market-leading training and ongoing professional development.
- Supportive and collaborative team environment.
- Salary sacrifice pension scheme.
- 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Private medical insurance.
- Death in Service insurance.
- Cycle to work scheme.
The Role
The business is now looking to appoint an experienced Design Director to lead and grow its Design service across Wales and the West.
This is a highly strategic position, offering the opportunity to shape the future direction of the regional service whilst working closely with senior leadership across the wider business.
- Lead the continued growth and development of the Design service across Wales and the West.
- Drive business development, revenue generation and the development of new and existing client relationships.
- Take responsibility for recruitment, team growth and the ongoing mentoring and development of staff.
- Shape the creative direction and vision of projects, ensuring high-quality design solutions are delivered.
- Contribute to the delivery of significant projects, including strategic masterplanning, concept design, layouts, design documents and detailed planning applications.
- Work closely with the Head of Design, Head of Wales and West and other senior Directors to influence regional and national business growth and direction.
- Build on the existing client base and reputation across the region, identifying opportunities to strengthen the Design service and secure new work.
- Take responsibility for the commercial and financial performance of the Design service, ensuring continued growth and profitability.
- The Person
- A degree in Architecture, Urban Design, Architectural Technology or Civil Engineering.
- Current or previous experience at Associate Director or Director level within an established design practice or developer.
- Significant experience within the UK residential industry.
- A proven track record of consented and delivered residential-led projects across Wales and the West.
- An established client following and strong reputation across the region.
- Excellent knowledge of local authorities throughout Wales and the West.
- Significant experience leading teams and mentoring staff.
- Strong experience in financial and commercial management.
- A strong understanding of the residential development market and the ability to identify and secure new opportunities.
- The drive and ambition to shape the vision and continue growing a highly successful Design presence across Wales and the West.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Design Director in Bristol employer: RIBA 1834 Ltd
RIBA 1834 Ltd. is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, making it an ideal place for Project Architects to thrive. Located in the vibrant city of London, employees benefit from a dynamic environment that encourages professional growth and creativity, with opportunities to lead impactful projects from concept to completion. The company values high-quality design solutions and offers a supportive team atmosphere, ensuring that every team member can contribute meaningfully to their projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Director in Bristol
✨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 RIBA 1834 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 Design Director in Bristol
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 RIBA 1834 Ltd!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to RIBA 1834 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 RIBA 1834 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 RIBA 1834 Ltd.
