At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative retrofit design projects, ensuring compliance and quality delivery.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking team at Ridge, focused on sustainability and decarbonisation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to mentor and grow within a collaborative team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the retrofit sector while leading exciting projects.
- Qualifications: Qualified Architect or Chartered Architectural Technologist with strong Revit skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced Retrofit Design Lead to join our growing team, playing a pivotal role in delivering high quality retrofit design solutions across a diverse portfolio. This senior level position is responsible for leading retrofit design delivery, particularly on complex archetypes including high risk buildings (HRBs), ensuring compliance with evolving legislation and industry standards. You will take ownership of design strategy, project delivery, team leadership, and client engagement, supporting Ridge’s continued expansion in the retrofit and decarbonisation sector.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead retrofit design projects from concept through to delivery, focusing on complex measures across varying archetypes.
- Take overall design responsibility across retrofit schemes, ensuring compliance with PAS203, Building Regulations, Building Safety Act and more.
- Act as a senior technical authority on retrofit design, providing guidance and oversight to internal teams and acting as a senior point of contact for clients and principal contractors on design related project queries.
- Manage and mentor Retrofit Designers at Ridge, supporting their development and workload planning as well as progressing their careers in the Retrofit sector.
- Lead design coordination across disciplines and projects, ensuring integrated and compliant solutions are considered.
- Provide expertise in risk management and building safety compliance, particularly for higher-risk buildings and complex projects/archetypes.
- Develop and review specifications, technical reports, and design documentation alongside the Retrofit Designers including taking ownership of design QMS process.
- Lead engagement with clients, contractors and stakeholders.
- Support bid submissions and fee proposals, including pricing projects and business development initiatives, driving the growth of the Retrofit service offering.
- Manage project resourcing, programme delivery and quality assurance.
- Ensure projects are delivered in line with Ridge’s commercial and technical standards.
Essential Requirements
- Qualified Architect (ARB/RIBA) or Chartered Architectural Technologist (MCIAT).
- Highly proficient in Revit with demonstrable project experience.
- Extensive experience in retrofit design delivery, including leadership of projects.
- Strong working knowledge of PAS 2035, Building Regulations, Building Safety Act.
- Proven experience working on High‑Risk Buildings (HRBs), particularly retrofit of residential tower blocks under PAS2035.
- Experience delivering retrofit projects within the social housing sector / public sector.
- Demonstrable experience of leading and coordinating design teams, managing workloads and delegating responsibilities, client‑facing project leadership.
- Experience preparing fee proposals and pricing retrofit design work.
- Strong understanding of retrofit risk, sequencing and compliance.
Desirable Requirements
- Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management.
- Experience in commercial retrofit projects and public sector dwellings (churches/schools etc.).
- Experience working within multi‑disciplinary consultancy environments.
- Knowledge of funding schemes (e.g., Warm Homes / SHDF).
Retrofit Design Lead in London employer: Ridge and Partners LLP
At Ridge, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the retrofit design sector. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through mentorship opportunities and professional development initiatives, ensuring that our team members thrive in their careers while contributing to meaningful projects that address pressing environmental challenges. Located in a vibrant area, we provide a supportive environment where creativity and expertise are valued, making us an attractive choice for professionals seeking to make a real impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retrofit Design Lead in London
✨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 Ridge and Partners LLP 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 Retrofit Design Lead in London
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 Ridge and Partners LLP!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Ridge and Partners LLP. 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 Ridge and Partners LLP
✨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 Ridge and Partners LLP.
