Architecture Leader

Bespoke Careers; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Bespoke Careers seeks an Architecture Leader for NSW (also VIC) to drive design leadership and business development in Sydney. You will build client relationships, lead major pursuits and shape the practice's growth across sectors including science, transport and urban design.

As a registered architect with 15+ years’ experience, you will manage strategic opportunities, mentor teams and deliver high-quality outcomes while balancing design excellence with commercial goals.

Qualifications

• Must be a registered architect with NSW registration.
• 15+ years of architectural design, delivery and leadership.
• Proven track record delivering complex, high-profile projects.
• Established client relationships within NSW and broader Australia.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior architectural leadership across key sectors and markets.
• Develop and maintain relationships with clients, partners and stakeholders.
• Build a forward-looking project pipeline via business development.
• Lead major bids, pursuits and commercial negotiations.
• Provide design leadership on complex and technically demanding projects.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams from strategy to delivery.
• Mentor and develop high-performing teams; contribute to external profile.

Skills

Registered architect

Senior leadership

Business development

Client relationship management

Mentoring & leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Education

Architecture degree

NSW Architects Registration

Job description

Architecture Leader – NSW (or VIC) Strategic Leadership Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly regarded Architectural Leader to take a senior leadership position within a growing multidisciplinary design practice in Sydney.

This is an opportunity for an established architectural professional to combine design leadership, business development, client relationships and team leadership while helping shape the growth and direction of the practice.

The successful candidate will have a strong industry profile, an established network of client relationships and a proven track record of winning and delivering significant, complex projects.

The Role

As Architecture Leader for NSW, you will provide strategic and market-facing leadership for the architectural business, helping to build a strong project pipeline, develop key client relationships and lead major project opportunities.

You will work collaboratively across architecture, engineering, planning and other specialist disciplines, bringing together design, technical and commercial expertise to deliver high-quality outcomes for clients.

The role will have particular focus across sectors including:

• Science, technology and industry (Data Centres/ Logisitics)
• Transport / infrastructure
• Sport and major public projects
• Urban design and master planning

You will be expected to be both a design leader and a business leader – someone who can identify opportunities, develop trusted client relationships, lead major pursuits and ultimately help deliver successful projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior architectural leadership across key sectors and markets.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, industry partners and key stakeholders.
• Build a robust and forward-looking project pipeline through business development and industry networks.
• Identify new opportunities and strategically position the practice for major projects.
• Lead significant bids, pursuits and commercial negotiations.
• Provide recognised design leadership across complex and technically demanding projects.
• Lead architectural concept design and champion high standards of design quality.
• Bring sustainability, resilience and circular economy principles into projects and business strategy.
• Lead integrated, multidisciplinary teams from strategy and concept through to delivery.
• Develop high-performing teams through mentoring, leadership and succession planning.
• Contribute to the external profile of the practice through industry forums, conferences, publications and professional networks.
• Support the continued growth, capability and reputation of the architectural practice.
• Balance design excellence with commercial, operational and delivery considerations.

About You

You will be a registered architect with significant senior-level experience, ideally combining architectural design and project delivery with business development and commercial leadership.

You will bring:

• Architecture qualifications and registration with the NSW Architects Registration Board.
• 15+ years' professional experience across architectural design, delivery and leadership.
• A strong track record of delivering complex, high-profile or technically demanding projects.
• Established client and industry relationships within NSW and ideally the broader Australian market.
• Proven experience in business development, work winning and commercial management.
• Strong architectural judgement and a genuine commitment to design quality.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary environments.
• The ability to lead, mentor and develop high-performing teams.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence clients and stakeholders at senior levels.
• A strategic mindset combined with the ability to make decisions and drive outcomes.
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style.

Experience across transport, infrastructure, science, technology, industry or sport would be highly relevant. An interest in urban design, master planning and city-shaping projects would also be advantageous.

Why Join?

This is a rare opportunity to join an ambitious multidisciplinary design environment and play a significant role in shaping its architectural offering and future growth.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Influence the strategic direction of the architectural practice.
• Work on significant, complex and city-shaping projects.
• Build and strengthen relationships with major clients and industry partners.
• Lead talented multidisciplinary teams.
• Combine design leadership with genuine commercial and strategic responsibility.
• Contribute to a culture focused on sustainability, innovation and design excellence.

If you is an established architectural leader looking for an opportunity to make a genuine impact on a growing practice, we would like to hear from you.

REFERENCE: Misty Waters #74058