Associate Architect

Sweco; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid working

Pension contribution

Life Assurance

Private Medical Insurance

Discretionary Annual Bonus

Job summary

Sweco's Mission Critical team in London seeks an experienced Associate Architect to lead the design and delivery of data centre projects across the EMEA region. You will combine architectural expertise with project leadership, working closely with clients and multidisciplinary teams to develop practical and sustainable solutions.

Role involves leading architectural delivery across the project lifecycle, shaping design quality, coordinating resources, and contributing to growth of the team; ARB

Qualifications

• UK Part 3 qualification as a minimum.
• Proven data centre design experience and leadership of architectural projects through RIBA Stages 2–5.
• Experience delivering projects within a BIM environment and coordinating with multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural delivery across the project lifecycle.
• Establish design approaches balancing client requirements, operations and sustainability.
• Plan deliverables, allocate resources and manage programs and fees.
• Direct models, drawings, specs and presentations for quality control.
• Coordinate with engineers, consultants and contractors; identify risks early.
• Act as primary architectural contact for clients; communicate progress clearly.
• Oversee construction-stage support, including contractor submissions and site visits.
• Manage changes to scope and support fee proposals and bids.
• Mentor colleagues and contribute to team standards and practices.

Skills

Architectural leadership

Technical design

Client communication

Team coordination

Attention to detail

Education

UK Part 3 qualification

Tools

Revit

BIM

Cloud collaboration

Job description

Society is in your hands, what are you waiting for?

We are looking for an experienced Associate Architect to join Sweco’s Mission Critical team in London, taking a leading role in the design and delivery of data centre projects across the EMEA region.

You’ll combine architectural expertise with project leadership, working closely with clients and multidisciplinary teams to develop coordinated, practical and sustainable design solutions.

You’ll help shape facilities with demanding operational requirements, where design quality, resilience and buildability are central to successful delivery.

What does the role involve?

You’ll lead architectural delivery across the project lifecycle, taking responsibility for design quality, team coordination, programme and architectural scope. You’ll also help develop our people, strengthen client relationships and support the continued growth of the team.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Leading architectural projects through concept, planning, technical design and construction support.
• Establishing design approaches that balance client requirements, operational needs, buildability and sustainability.
• Planning architectural deliverables, allocating resources and managing delivery against agreed programmes and fees.
• Directing and reviewing models, drawings, specifications and presentations to maintain technical quality and consistency.
• Leading coordination with engineers, specialist consultants and contractors, resolving design interfaces and identifying risks early.
• Acting as a key architectural contact for clients, communicating advice, progress and decisions clearly.
• Overseeing construction-stage support, including contractor submissions, technical queries and site visits.
• Managing changes to architectural scope and supporting fee proposals, bids and new opportunities.
• Mentoring colleagues and contributing to team standards, technical knowledge and working practices.

What do you need to be successful in the role?

You must hold a UK Part 3 qualification as a minimum, with proven experience in data centre design and leading architectural projects through RIBA Stages 2–5.

You’ll Bring

• Experience leading architectural teams and coordinating delivery within a multidisciplinary environment.
• Strong technical design skills and the judgement to resolve complex architectural and coordination issues.
• A sound understanding of building regulations, codes, sustainable design principles and construction processes.
• Experience delivering projects within a BIM environment, with strong Revit capabilities and familiarity with collaborative cloud platforms.
• The ability to manage programmes, resources, fees and scope across multiple projects.
• Excellent communication skills and confidence in leading client and design team discussions.
• A supportive leadership style, with the ability to delegate effectively, review work and develop colleagues.
• Attention to detail, accountability and a commitment to design excellence.

ARB registration, experience working on European projects and familiarity with different regulatory environments would be beneficial.

What’s in it for you?

You’ll experience an inclusive, friendly and flexible working environment where colleagues are encouraged to grow and develop. A meaningful job where you’ll help to transform society by being a trusted consultant to our clients.

Employee Benefits

• Flexible and hybrid working (Flexworks Policy)
• Competitive pension contribution
• Life Assurance
• Private Medical Insurance
• Company car or car allowance
• Discretionary Annual Bonus Scheme
• Payment of two relevant professional subscriptions
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days per year)
• Cycle2Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme (wellbeing, mental health, financial and work advice)
• Employee discounts via Sweco Benefit Select (Faircare)
• Salary Sacrifice Electric Vehicle Scheme
• We plant a tree for all new starters!

About Us

Transforming society together, we're planning and designing sustainable communities and cities of the future.

Solving the great societal challenges of our time is more relevant, demanding and inspiring than ever before. At Sweco, we bring together experts with different perspectives and skills to develop solutions that address the challenges of urbanisation, harness the positive power of digitalisation and make societies more sustainable.

We offer our clients a combination of global expertise and local presence, adapted to their business and reality. Our ambition is to be our clients’ most relevant partner, working together to help them solve their challenges, today and into the future.

Sweco is committed to enabling all its colleagues to achieve a great balance between work and their other priorities, such as caring responsibilities, leisure activities, further learning or other interests. We offer flexible start and finish times, part time and hybrid working options so that you can flex your hours around your day to day needs.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

It’s important to us that that all our colleagues thrive at work - we strive to have a friendly and inclusive culture which respects the contribution individuals can bring to Sweco. We aim to promote equality, inclusivity and diversity for everyone.

Here at Sweco we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity.

We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly. To find out more The Armed Forces Covenant - Our Commitments | Sweco UK.

We are an accredited Real Living Wage Employer which reflects our commitment to fair pay and support for all colleagues.

We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer, and will interview applicants covered by the Equality Act 2010 that opt into the guaranteed interview scheme on the application form and meet the minimum criteria for the role.

If I have a disability, can I get help (e.g. “reasonable adjustments”) with the application process?

If you’re an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to use the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, please contact [e-mail] for assistance.

In order to address your request the following information is needed:

• Name
• The best method for contacting you (Phone or email)
• The position title
• Requisition/vacancy number

Upon receipt of this information, we’ll respond to you promptly to obtain more information about your request.

Please note: we reserve the right to close vacancies before the advertised closing date.