Head of Marketing and Strategy (Architecture / Design)

About the Role

The Crowd are exclusively partnered with a large global design practice celebrated for delivering world‑class architecture and interiors. They are seeking a commercially astute Head of Marketing and Strategy to join its London team on a permanent basis. This is a pivotal leadership appointment with significant visibility across the business, reporting directly to the Managing Partner and working closely with the wider international marketing team. The role will play a key part in shaping the future direction, positioning, and commercial strategy of the practice, with a focus on strengthening and evolving its presence within the UK market.

Our client is seeking a commercially minded and strategic leader who understands markets, sectors, and key stakeholder relationships; someone capable of elevating external engagement, identifying emerging opportunities, and driving long‑term business positioning. Leading an established marketing function spanning marketing, graphics, and bid coordination, the successful candidate will be responsible for mentoring and developing the team while simultaneously driving a broader strategic and business development agenda across the practice.

The ideal individual will bring clarity, direction, and constructive challenge to the role – confidently identifying where investment should be focused, where market opportunities are emerging, and how the business can continue to position itself ahead of competitors. This role requires a highly engaged and influential leader with strong commercial awareness, financial acumen, and the ability to build credibility across multi‑sector teams, while confidently engaging and challenging senior stakeholders where required.

Beyond the opportunity to be part of a leading global name in the industry, this practice is committed to both design excellence and employee well‑being.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and drive new business initiatives, building strong client relationships and identifying new project opportunities across the UK.
• Represent the practice at industry events, conferences, and professional organisations, developing strategic networking and market engagement plans.
• Develop pursuit strategies and oversee the delivery of high‑quality proposals, presentations, and interview preparation.
• Manage and mentor marketing team members, fostering a collaborative, high‑performing, and client‑focused culture.
• Drive market intelligence and competitor awareness across key sectors and regions.
• Oversee marketing collateral, knowledge capture, project data management, and business development reporting.
• Contribute to annual business planning, including short‑ and long‑term strategy, sales forecasting, fee projections, and pursuit tracking.
• Support project and sector leaders with strategic client engagement and relationship development.
• Bring strong commercial and financial rigour to marketing and business development strategy.
• Work closely with board leadership, corporate communications, and external consultants to strengthen market presence and brand visibility.
• Act as a senior ambassador and representative of the practice.

Key Skills / Requirements

• Significant experience leading business development and marketing strategy within architecture, design, or the wider built environment sector within a large‑scale practice.
• Proven track record securing complex, high‑value projects and developing strategic client relationships.
• Strong understanding of the UK architecture, design, and built environment landscape.
• Demonstrated experience working within a matrixed global environment and collaborating across multiple stakeholder groups.
• Highly aware of market activity, competitor movement, and emerging business opportunities.
• Excellent commercial awareness and strong financial acumen.
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities, with experience mentoring and developing teams.
• Confident communicator with excellent stakeholder engagement, influencing, and presentation skills.
• Exceptionally organised, with the ability to manage multiple pursuits and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to balance long‑term vision and day‑to‑day delivery.

Benefits

They offer a strong benefits package, including private medical insurance, rewarding bonus structure, flexible hybrid working, enhanced annual leave, and much more. The Crowd is an equal opportunities employer and agency.