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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative design projects from concept to completion, inspiring teams and clients alike.
- Company: Join a global architecture firm with a diverse and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Mentorship, global exposure, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of design and make a real impact on global projects.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in design leadership with a passion for sustainable architecture.
- Other info: Submit your portfolio to showcase your creativity and design excellence.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ 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.
Your Impact
As a senior design voice in the studio, you will shape projects from concept to completion, integrating strategic vision with design excellence to lead interdisciplinary teams toward bold, futureâfocused outcomes.
Responsibilities
- Champion the design process from early concept through delivery, ensuring constructability, performance, and exceptional quality.
- Lead crossâdisciplinary reviews and resolve complex challenges with creativity and clarity.
- Mentor the next generation of talent and contribute to a dynamic, designâled culture.
- Articulate compelling design narratives that inform clients, inspire collaborators, and elevate our global presence.
Qualifications
- 7+ years experience leading largeâscale, complex projects. License 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 capable of expressing design intent through documentation, dialogue, and publication.
- Able to develop an active design voice and promote thought leadership, mentorship, and advocacy across the London studio and the wider firmâwide design community.
Portfolio & CV Mandatory
Portfolios must be submitted for all design and project management positions. Applications without work samples will not be reviewed. Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10â20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit as part of your application where the upload field is provided for the resume or CV.
Why Join Us?
As part of our international studio network, you will collaborate across offices, disciplines, and cultures, engaging with diverse perspectives to deliver design excellence on a global scale. We will support your growth as a design leader through mentorship, global exposure, and access to the firmâs most forwardâthinking leadership. At SOM, your ambition is matched by opportunity, and your ideas have a platform to influence the built environment at every scale.
Details
- Seniority level: MidâSenior level
- Employment type: Fullâtime
- Job function: Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology
- Industries: Architecture and Planning, Design Services, Civil Engineering
At SOM, we welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace. We believe an inclusive environment benefits our employees, our firm, and our community, while enriching and challenging our own thinking about design. We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.
Professional Designer in London employer: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
Contact Detail:
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Professional Designer in London
â¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend design events, workshops, and meet-ups to connect with industry leaders and fellow designers. We canât stress enough how important it is to build relationships that could lead to job opportunities.
â¨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure itâs polished and highlights your best work. When youâre chatting with potential employers, use it as a visual aid to discuss your design process and the impact of your projects.
â¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. We want you to be able to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with theirs. Tailor your responses to show youâre not just a fit for the role, but for their culture too!
â¨Tip Number 4
Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team at SOM.
We think you need these skills to ace Professional Designer in London
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Craft Your Portfolio Wisely: Your portfolio is your chance to shine, so make sure itâs a true reflection of your best work. Keep it concise, between 10-20 pages, and ensure itâs a single PDF under 5 MB. Remember, this is your opportunity to showcase your design narrative!
Tailor Your CV: Donât just send out the same CV for every application. Tailor it to highlight your experience that aligns with the role at SOM. Show us how your past projects and leadership skills make you the perfect fit for our dynamic team.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language to articulate your design intent and experiences. We want to understand your thought process and how you tackle complex challenges, so donât hold back!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, youâll find all the details you need about the role and our studio culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
â¨Showcase Your Portfolio
Make sure your portfolio is not just a collection of your work, but a narrative that tells the story of your design journey. Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to lead large-scale, complex designs and ensure it aligns with SOM's focus on impactful and sustainable design.
â¨Prepare for Design Discussions
Anticipate questions about your design process and be ready to discuss how you integrate strategic vision with design excellence. Think about specific examples where you've led interdisciplinary teams and resolved complex challenges creatively.
â¨Articulate Your Design Philosophy
Be prepared to express your design intent clearly and compellingly. Practice articulating your thoughts on design narratives and how they can inspire clients and collaborators, as this is crucial for a role that champions design leadership.
â¨Emphasise Mentorship and Leadership
Since the role involves mentoring the next generation of talent, share your experiences in guiding others. Discuss how you energise teams and foster a dynamic, design-led culture, which is key to thriving at SOM.
