Senior Architect/Senior Project Lead

Watson Young Architects; Perth; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working arrangements

Play Days

Flexible working hours

Bring your child to work in the school

Discounted fitness memberships

Job summary

Watson Young Architects in Perth invites a design-focused Senior Architect/Senior Project Lead to join our Perth team. You will drive design-led projects from concept through to completion, guiding a team and ensuring excellence in every stage.

You’ll be the main client contact, presenting ideas, shaping briefs, and leading design reviews with Partners and Associates. We value craft, collaboration, and a thoughtful, human-centered approach across WA and beyond.

Qualifications

• Lead projects from concept sketch through to completion.
• Champion design excellence and bring a considered, intentional approach to every stage.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from the first concept sketch through to completion.
• Champion design excellence and bring a considered, intentional approach to every stage of the work.
• Be a key point of contact for clients, leading conversations, presenting ideas and turning briefs into designs.
• Guide design reviews at critical phases and mentor your project team.

Skills

Design leadership

Client collaboration

Mentoring teams

Project leadership

Job description

Your Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a design-focused Senior Architect/Senior Project Lead to join our Perth team.

Our Perth office opened 10 years ago, and in that time, we’ve built a strong reputation and a close-knit team in the West. You’ll be joining an established office, where your design leadership will play a key part in our work in WA. As part of a national practice, you’ll also be connected to our team across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney and Brisbane, sharing knowledge and ideas across the country.

This is a senior design role within the practice, where you will lead projects from the first concept sketch through to completion, championing design excellence and bringing a considered, intentional approach to every stage of the work.

You will be a key point of contact for our clients, leading conversations, presenting ideas and turning briefs into designs they’re excited about. Working closely with our Partners and Associates, you will guide design reviews at critical phases, push the creative boundaries of each project, and ensure our work consistently meets the high standard our clients expect. You will also lead and mentor your project team, sharing your craft, role-modelling Watson Young’s values, and contributing to the development of those around you.

We are ideally looking for a full‑time candidate but are open to flexible arrangements for the right person. Please share your preferences in your application.

Our Company

At Watson Young, great design starts with a conversation. We approach every project with a good eye, and an even better ear, and that’s how we create spaces people genuinely love to be in.

Over 20 years, we’ve grown into a national practice of 100+ people across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane, with projects in every state and territory. Our work moves between Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Multi‑residential, Retail, Interior Design, Masterplanning and Education, so there’s always something new to work on, and plenty of variety in what lands on your desk.

Each office has its own local character, but we work as one team, sharing ideas and expertise across the country. Our no fuss, honest approach means our clients keep coming back, which is something we’re really proud of.

Our Values

• Creative Listening: We lead by listening. Our practice is dedicated to maintaining a culture of creativity, inclusivity and collaboration amongst our team and clients. We are passionate about leading with questions to understand our clients, being receptive to new ideas, and designing with intent.
• Genuine Affect: We impact through design. We push the boundaries with purposeful innovation and the pursuit of excellence. We create conscious solutions that prioritise what matters to our clients. Our team are committed to positive change that goes beyond the built environment; it’s ingrained in our culture.
• Enduring Pride: We are proud of our legacy. We shape the future by creating meaningful experiences and designs that connect people and places. It begins with the relationships we develop within our practice, amongst our clients, and community, and it progresses into the spaces we transform. We strive to inspire and leave a lasting impact.

What is on Offer?

We take our work serious, but we also believe work should be somewhere you look forward to being. Here’s what that looks like at WYA:

• A Culture Built on People: In an industry dominated by ego, we saw an opportunity to do something different. That’s why in 2004 we founded a human‑centred practice with strong relationships at its heart, with our clients and with each other. Today, we’re proud to be Great Place to Work Certified, and we place as much importance on the strength of our culture as we do on the quality of our work.
• Our Work, Your Life: We recognise the importance of balance. We offer flexible work opportunities, including working from home, along with an extra paid day of leave each year, our Play Day, to spend doing whatever lights you up. You’ll also have access to confidential wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Program.
• Room to Grow: We invest in our people for the long term. You’ll have a personal learning and development budget each year, regular Lunch & Learns and CPDs, mentorship from experienced industry professionals, and clear career pathways to help you grow with confidence.
• Celebrating Together: Every fortnight, our whole national team comes together to share updates, celebrate wins and present projects from across the country.
• The Other Perks: No two days are ever the same at WYA. From dogs in the office, table tennis tournaments and corporate sporting events, to volunteering days and End of Month Celebrations, there’s a little bit of something for everyone.

Perks and benefits Hybrid working arrangements ‘Play Days’ Flexible working hours. Bring your child to work in the school holidays Discounted fitness memberships