PRACTICE MANAGER

Bloomfield Tremayne & Partners; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Bloomfield Tremayne & Partners, a respected design studio in Melbourne, seeks an experienced Practice Manager to lead studio operations and drive performance across the national portfolio.

In this role, you will partner with the leadership team to oversee financial forecasting, budgeting, procurement and contract management, while guiding recruitment, onboarding and HR initiatives. You will balance strategic leadership with day-to-day operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Architecturally qualified or equivalent experience in architectural practice.
• Strong planning, budgeting and resourcing capabilities.
• Proven leadership in a design-led studio environment.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing studio operations, workflows, systems and policies.
• Working with leadership on financial forecasting, annual budgets, cash-flow planning and performance.
• Monitoring project budgets, resourcing, profitability and overall commercial performance.
• Preparing, reviewing and negotiating architectural consultancy agreements, including contracts.
• Identifying commercial and contractual risks and ensuring proper processes and safeguards.
• Leading initiatives to improve efficiency and business performance.
• Reviewing and refining internal systems for consistency and collaboration.
• Leading people and culture functions including recruitment and onboarding.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Financial forecasting

Contract negotiation

HR management

Education

Architectural qualification

Job description

This highly regarded design studio is seeking an experienced Practice Manager to take on an exciting leadership role.

This will see your input across all aspects of a busy studio and you'll be undertaking projects on a national basis.

Working closely with the leadership team, you will guide studio operations, provide leadership, commercial oversight and broad coordination across the practice.

This is an influential role requiring an accomplished operations and people leader who understands the demands and complexities of a busy, design-led architectural environment. Someone who can work both autonomously and collaboratively to help the business achieve it’s objectives.

Ideally, you will be architecturally qualified and have progressed from architectural practice and project delivery into broader practice, operational or business management. Alternatively, you may have deep experience in overall general management of a commercial design studio.

Your understanding of architectural workflows, project resourcing, consultant relationships and commercial agreements will enable you to provide informed, practical and commercially focused leadership across the studio.

Importantly, this position requires someone with genuine initiative, energy and drive. You will be proactive in identifying opportunities, resolving operational challenges and introducing improvements that support the ongoing development of the practice.

Bringing together people, projects, finances and internal systems, you will ensure the business operates efficiently while helping to strengthen performance, collaboration and consistency.

Key responsibilities

• Overseeing studio operations, workflows, systems and policies
• Working closely with the leadership team on financial forecasting, annual budgets, cash-flow planning and ongoing financial performance
• Monitoring project budgets, resourcing requirements, profitability and overall commercial performance
• Preparing, reviewing and negotiating architectural consultancy agreements, including contracts for boutique and projects
• Identifying commercial and contractual risks and ensuring appropriate processes and safeguards are maintained
• Anticipating operational challenges and leading initiatives that improve efficiency and business performance
• Reviewing and refining internal systems to increase consistency, accountability and collaboration
• Leading people and culture functions, including recruitment, on-boarding, performance reviews and general HR support
• Coordinating internal functions across finance, technology, marketing and practice leadership
• Supporting the leadership team with business planning, operational strategy and future growth initiatives

Must have a strong understanding of architectural project workflows across all stages of project delivery. Experience in financial forecasting, budgeting, fee management and the preparation or negotiation of architectural contracts will be highly regarded.

Commercially astute and highly organised, you will be comfortable managing multiple priorities and working across both strategic and day-to-day operational matters. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential, together with the ability to build effective relationships with internal teams, clients, consultants and external advisers.

Above all, you will be a self-motivated and proactive individual with the confidence, initiative and drive to take genuine ownership of this position. You will be comfortable introducing new ideas, following initiatives through to completion and making a tangible contribution to the performance and growth of the practice.

This is an outstanding opportunity to take on a central and influential position within a respected, design-led architectural practice!

Reference number: M1683852

We value diversity and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those from diverse gender identities, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.