At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative design projects from concept to completion, shaping the future of architecture.
- Company: Join a global leader in architecture with a collaborative and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Mentorship, global exposure, and opportunities for career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Diverse perspectives welcomed; submit your portfolio to showcase your creativity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on transformative projects while inspiring the next generation of designers.
- Qualifications: 7+ years of experience in leading complex design projects; passion for sustainable design.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is a collective of over 1,200 architects, designers, engineers, and planners working across studios in London, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Hong Kong, Melbourne, Riyadh and Dubai. We are seeking to hire our next generation of Design Leaders in the SOM London Studio who can drive design ideas and deliver our most ambitious global projects. At the forefront of transformative architecture, we are a design-driven studio guided by a shared commitment to design excellence, sustainability and innovation. Our open, collaborative culture empowers ideas to thrive across architecture, engineering, and urban design.
Your Impact
As a senior design voice in the studio, you’ll shape projects from concept to completion, integrating strategic vision with design excellence to lead interdisciplinary teams toward bold, future-focused outcomes.
You Will
- Champion the design process from early concept through delivery, ensuring constructability, performance, and exceptional quality.
- Lead cross-disciplinary reviews and resolve complex challenges with creativity and clarity.
- Mentor the next generation of talent and contribute to a dynamic, design-led culture.
- Articulate compelling design narratives that inform clients, inspire collaborators, and elevate our global presence.
Who You Are
- 7+ years experience leading large-scale, complex projects. Licensed preferred.
- A passionate advocate for impactful and sustainable design.
- A natural leader who energizes and inspires interdisciplinary teams to achieve design excellence.
- An articulate communicator—able to express design intent through documentation, dialogue, and publication.
- Able to develop an active design voice who can promote thought leadership, mentorship, and advocacy across the London studio and the wider Firmwide design community.
Why Join Us?
As part of our international studio network, you’ll collaborate across offices, disciplines, and cultures, engaging with diverse perspectives to deliver design excellence on a global scale. We don’t just offer a role, we will help you define your own career framework. We will support your growth as a design leader through mentorship, global exposure, and access to the firm's most forward-thinking leadership. At SOM your ambition is matched by opportunity, and your ideas have a platform to influence the built environment at every scale.
Portfolio & CV
Mandatory Portfolios must be submitted for all design and project management positions (Architecture, Interiors, City Design, Graphics, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed. Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV.
At SOM, we welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace. We believe an inclusive environment benefits our employees, our firm, and our community, while also enriching and challenging our own thinking about design. We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.
Designer employer: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
At SOM, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our support for lifelong learning and the opportunity to work on transformative projects that make a real impact on communities and the planet. With competitive salaries, comprehensive health benefits, and a focus on work-life balance, we create an environment where every team member can thrive and contribute their unique talents.
Contact Details:
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) Recruitment Team